Natasha Singer, Corinne Smith, Shannon Smith, and Olivia Jurcisin, all freshmen at High School South, completed their Girl Scout silver award project to address the isolation of senior citizens through music. They are part of WW-P’s newly organized Senior Girl Scout Troop 72808.
The four scouts began their project while students at Grover Middle School. As members of the school’s orchestra, they knew they were well suited to provide a service. With the help of their mentors, Mariana Vasiliu and Robert Peterson, the girls identified appropriate music for the cause. There were two violin parts, for Singer and Shannon Smith, a cello part for Corinne Smith, and a bass part for Jurcisin.
After a month of rehearsing and preparation, the girls performed at Bear Creek Assisted Living in West Windsor; the Pavilions at Forrestal Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing sections in Plainsboro; and Hamilton Continuing Care.
“I think the world would be a nicer place if more people would do what the girls did today. and put a smile on another persons face, even if not in the happiest of places,” says Colleen De Trolio, whose mother has lived in the Pavillions for 11 years.
The girls put more than 50 hours each into the project, along with the help of Jeanette Smith, a Cadette scout in Troop 70935, who played the viola in the performances. Smith looks forward to doing her own silver award project in the future.
“After this experience I feel like I am able to better relate to that generation, and I now know how wonderful it is to make others feel loved and happy,” says Natasha Singer.
The girls, who each earned their bronze awards as Junior Scouts, will receive their silver award, the second highest award a girl scout can earn.
If you are interested in joining Girl Scouts as a girl or as an adult volunteer, email girlscoutswwp@verizon.net, or call Louisa Ho at 609-371-2119
