SKANEATELES - Since 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA has helped more than 50 million young ladies grow and mature.
Chet Susslin / The Citizen
MaryPat Thompson, 18, stands before the Transfer and Recycling Station in front of her sign detailing what can and cannot be recycled at the station.
MaryPat Thompson, 18, stands before the Transfer and Recycling Station in front of her sign detailing what can and cannot be recycled at the station.
Thousands of scouting chapters worldwide provide activities, awards and badges to girls of all ages, which steer the young ladies toward becoming knowledgeable, responsible adults.
Although her local troop disbanded last year, one Skaneateles teen has taken it upon herself to reach the very top rung of the Girl Scouting ladder while helping the community in the process.
Since January, MaryPat Thompson, a Skaneateles High School senior, has worked on various recycling projects at the town's Transfer and Recycling Station on Old Seneca Turnpike.
Thompson has created station maps, recycling brochures and various displays to earn her Gold Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout can receive.
According to the organization's Web site, the Gold Award, similar to an Eagle Badge for boys, “focuses on a Girl Scout's interests and personal journey through leadership skills, career exploration, self-improvement and service.”
“I've been a Girl Scout for 13 years, and everything I've done has led up to this (award),” Thompson said.
Thompson formerly belonged to local Girl Scout Troop 512, but the group dissolved last year.
“Well, most everybody graduated,” she explained with a laugh. “But I decided to continue as an independent.”
She chose recycling as the subject of her project because, since her family owns the local trash collection service Jac R Thompson, Inc, dealing with refuse is in her blood, in a manner of speaking.
“I know how important recycling is in our community. It's something I've known about since I was little because of the family business,” Thompson said.
Since Jan. 1, Thompson has been logging numerous hours at the transfer station. One of her main projects was the creation of printed maps of the facility detailing its different areas.
A visual display of recyclable materials hangs in the station with attaching bottles, cans and other containers labeled under each category that she made.
“(The board) just helps people see what goes where,” she added.
“That sign is great, because it helps eliminate confusion about what can and can't be recycled,” said David Newell, town of Skaneateles Recycling Liaison.
In addition, Newell said, Thompson has spent time at the station talking to customers and handing out the pamphlets which give details about recycling types and methods.
“She really has done a wonderful job,” he added.
Thompson's project culminated at the Thursday, April 3, town board meeting, when she gave a presentation about what she has learned.
The brochure she created will be available in a future issue of the town's newsletter, which can be found at www.townofskaneateles.com.
“Then after that, I send in my paperwork to the (international) Girl Scouts Council, and it'll take them about a week to approve my award,” she said, noting that her Gold Award ceremony will take place sometime in June.
After receiving the honor, Thompson said she will become eligible to be a troop leader, but she hasn't decided yet whether she will do so.
“Maybe sometime in the future, after I have kids,” she said with a laugh.
On the Web
To view the Town of Skaneateles newsletter, go to www.townofskaneateles.com and
click on the “Town News” tab
Although her local troop disbanded last year, one Skaneateles teen has taken it upon herself to reach the very top rung of the Girl Scouting ladder while helping the community in the process.
Since January, MaryPat Thompson, a Skaneateles High School senior, has worked on various recycling projects at the town's Transfer and Recycling Station on Old Seneca Turnpike.
Thompson has created station maps, recycling brochures and various displays to earn her Gold Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout can receive.
According to the organization's Web site, the Gold Award, similar to an Eagle Badge for boys, “focuses on a Girl Scout's interests and personal journey through leadership skills, career exploration, self-improvement and service.”
“I've been a Girl Scout for 13 years, and everything I've done has led up to this (award),” Thompson said.
Thompson formerly belonged to local Girl Scout Troop 512, but the group dissolved last year.
“Well, most everybody graduated,” she explained with a laugh. “But I decided to continue as an independent.”
She chose recycling as the subject of her project because, since her family owns the local trash collection service Jac R Thompson, Inc, dealing with refuse is in her blood, in a manner of speaking.
“I know how important recycling is in our community. It's something I've known about since I was little because of the family business,” Thompson said.
Since Jan. 1, Thompson has been logging numerous hours at the transfer station. One of her main projects was the creation of printed maps of the facility detailing its different areas.
A visual display of recyclable materials hangs in the station with attaching bottles, cans and other containers labeled under each category that she made.
“(The board) just helps people see what goes where,” she added.
“That sign is great, because it helps eliminate confusion about what can and can't be recycled,” said David Newell, town of Skaneateles Recycling Liaison.
In addition, Newell said, Thompson has spent time at the station talking to customers and handing out the pamphlets which give details about recycling types and methods.
“She really has done a wonderful job,” he added.
Thompson's project culminated at the Thursday, April 3, town board meeting, when she gave a presentation about what she has learned.
The brochure she created will be available in a future issue of the town's newsletter, which can be found at www.townofskaneateles.com.
“Then after that, I send in my paperwork to the (international) Girl Scouts Council, and it'll take them about a week to approve my award,” she said, noting that her Gold Award ceremony will take place sometime in June.
After receiving the honor, Thompson said she will become eligible to be a troop leader, but she hasn't decided yet whether she will do so.
“Maybe sometime in the future, after I have kids,” she said with a laugh.
On the Web
To view the Town of Skaneateles newsletter, go to www.townofskaneateles.com and
click on the “Town News” tab
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