Meghan Murphy Perseverance, determination, and endurance are just a few words to describe what is needed in a young woman when she is pursuing a Girl Scout Gold Award.

Putting in at least 65 hours of work to improve their communities, Meghan Murphy of Garden City joins the 67 Girls Scouts in Nassau County that achieved the highest honor in Girl Scouts, a Girl Scout Gold Award. These young women developed Gold Award community action projects, promoting acts of kindness and goodwill, which ultimately make the world a better place.

Meghan Murphy earned her Gold Award for her project entitled, “Embracing the Pyramid on a Budget.” Her project targeted the clients of Mercy Haven, an organization that engages and supports Long Island’s most at-risk residents. To create a healthy cookbook for the residents, she gathered recipes from the participants of Mercy Haven and reviewed the nutritional value of each. She compiled the recipes, including their costs and calorie counts and created the cookbook. The cookbook also had cooking hints, fun facts and healthy alternatives. Ms. Murphy is a junior at Garden City High school where she is a member of the Key Club.

“We are so proud of all 67 young women who earned their Gold Award this year” said Donna Ceravolo, Executive Director of the Girl Scouts of Nassau County. “Just five percent of eligible Girl Scouts choose to ‘Go for the Gold’ and we are happy for those that achieved this honor.”