Cassandra Perez of West Windsor recently completed her Girl Scout Gold Award project. She ran a summer field hockey program for girls ages 10 to 13 at Christian Youth Organization of Yardville.
“I felt this program was important because it gives girls a chance to learn a different sport they may not have had the chance to experience,” she says. “I targeted younger girls to give them the chance to build on their skills to help them increase their confidence to try out for their high school sports teams.”
A Girl Scout for 10 years, she is a member of Troop 71490. Her troop leader and mother is Becky Grant. Her project adviser is Diane Hasling and her project mentor is Kristen McCormick.
At High School South she has been on the field hockey team for four years and plays lacrosse in the spring. She is a member of the National Honor Society and plays bass in the school’s orchestra.
“I feel that sports are a crucial part of high school, especially for girls,” she says. “Being a part of a sports team makes girls stronger and builds confidence. It teaches the importance of teamwork and promotes bonding and a sense of camaraderie. Being on a high school sports team can also provide focus and discipline, which in turn can improve a student’s progress in school.”
She collected donated sticks and shin guards and held a fundraiser to purchase additional field hockey sticks, balls, and mouth guards. She donated all of the equipment to the CYO camp and created a book on skills, drills, and games for the camp to refer to for future use. “I couldn’t have completed this program without the help of six of my fellow High School South field hockey teammates and coach Christine Cabarle, who took turns assisting me daily.”
For information about joining Girl Scouts in West Windsor or Plainsboro as a girl or an adult volunteer contact Louisa Ho at 609-371-2119 or E-mail louisa.ho@verizon.net
