The Newtown Service Unit of Girl Scouts of Connecticut recognized outstanding leadership by Newtown Girl Scout volunteers at its October 9 meeting. Leaders gathered at the Newtown United Methodist Church meeting room to celebrate the great work of volunteers over the past year and to welcome new leaders to the Girl Scout community.

Leaders took part in an Investiture Ceremony, which included a flag ceremony led by Ambassador Troop 50055 from Newtown High School.

Diane Salvo, Product Sales Manager, and Antionette Capodicci, Service Unit Treasurer, were previously recognized with Outstanding Service Team Member award for their work on behalf of the town. Erin Siksay, Andrea Donohoe, Jackie Ceci, and Heather Smith received Distinguished Leader awards. Distinguished Volunteer awards were presented to Sondra Bogursky, Deb Lombardo, Neasa Waaler, and Jennifer Hoag.

Helping Hands Award pins were presented to troop leaders who went above and beyond by running programs and events for Newtown Girl Scouts. Kirsten Bazuro, Jennifer Burns, Antoinette Capodicci, Jennifer Hoag, Linda O’Sullivan, Diane Salvo, and Karen Smiley were recognized for their noteworthy contributions in programming events such as the Labor Day Parade Float, the Newtown Camporee, the Thinking Day Fair, Game Night, the Daisy and Brownie Tea Party, the Girl Scout Pinewood Derby, and the town-wide Bridging Ceremony.

The Leading The Way Award pin was awarded to the following leaders for their contributions as a troop leader: Charlene Blatter, Jennifer Endres, Kelly Rothen-Morris, Karen Schweikert Mangino, Gina Musumeci, Jennifer Strychalsky, Michelle Haley, Heather Hinten-Schwartz, Jacqui Kaplan, Erin Masotta, Heather Orwasky, Bridget Hartigan, Jennifer Doyle, Jamie Feli, Adrienne Kraus, Liz Snowden, Corina Mihalchik-Renak, Melissa Della Corte, Anna Bova, Dawn Ballard, Kim McIntosh. Tina Ferrara, Elise Pelletier, Karen Zatulskis, Laura Tagliarini, Barbara Manville, Christina Paradis, Nicole Christensen, Valerie Toth-O’Sullivan, and Jessica Sachs.

Girl Scout Leader Bar pins were presented to new leaders in 2017 through the present: Leah Kirshner, Christine Tisi, Jennifer Larkin, Natalie De Laurentis, Abigail Ferreira, Nicole Weintraub, Kristen Velsmid, Shannon Bowen, Sherry Inness, Beth Murphy, Nanette Greene, Kirsten Tuz, Melissa Clemen, Allyson Story, Christy Pimentel, Cindy Mowell, and Rachel Depasquale.

Leaders who have joined since will be recognized in November.

Service Team Leadership Bar pins went to new Co-Service Unit Manager Maria Konitshek, Diane Salvo, Antoinette Capodicci, Newtown Middle School Organizer Jennifer Hoag, and Head O’ Meadow Elementary School Organizer Heather Orwasky.

The Service Unit continues to welcome new Girl Scouts and Leaders each week. Interested families may visit Girl Scouts of Connecticut’s website at gsofct.org to register or e-mail Service Unit Managers Heather Smith at hmsmith108@gmail.com and Maria Konitshek at mkonitshek@gmail.com for more information.