Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways Honors Local Volunteers

During April, the Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways Council recognized thousands of adult volunteers for giving their time and dedication to Girl Scouting in celebration of National Volunteer Appreciation Month. Each year, the council, members, families and community find special ways to thank volunteers throughout the month.

Volunteers are also celebrated on April 22, Girl Scout Leader’s Day, a national recognition date to honor volunteers who work as troop leaders and mentors to Girl Scouts. Many local volunteers received special awards at the council’s annual regional volunteer appreciation dinners held in mid-to-late-April. Celebration locations this year included New York Mills, Binghamton, Pompey, Victor, Watertown and Painted Post, N.Y.

“The words ‘thank you’ never seem enough to celebrate the adult volunteers who deliver our Girl Scout Leadership Experience,” says Christina Verratti, Vice President of Membership Support & Product Programs. “We were so excited to see so many of them at our volunteer appreciation dinners and remain forever grateful for their dedication and commitment to the Girl Scout Movement.”

The following GSNYPENN volunteers were presented special awards in appreciation and recognition of their dedication and efforts during the 2023-2024 membership year:

Hall of Fame

Recognizes a volunteer with a lifetime commitment to the Girl Scout Movement within Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways; the recipient has sustained GSNYPENN in various ways including supporting Girl Scouts in the community, volunteering in a variety of roles and financial support of the council

Diane Bootie, North Brookfield, N.Y.

Diane became a Girl Scout volunteer 43 years ago when her daughter expressed her desire to join the organization. There wasn’t a local troop in their area, so Diane stepped up to form a troop and be its leader. Since then, she has held various volunteer roles including troop leader, service unit manager, recruiter, trainer and product program coordinator.

Throughout the years, members of her numerous troops have benefited greatly from her extensive knowledge, experience and unwavering dedication. Diane always makes it possible for anyone to join Girl Scouts regardless of background or ability. Additionally, for those involved in other extracurricular activities, she ensures they can still participate. Even after her granddaughter graduated from high school, she has continued volunteering.

Diane has held every volunteer role in her Service Unit and has gone above and beyond to serve wherever needed. When her former council was at risk of canceling summer camp, she served as its camp health supervisor for two years. She is an active recruiter for her community, reaching out to the school district, handing out flyers, attending open houses and promoting Girl Scouts whenever possible. Diane has also trained and mentored many GSNYPENN volunteers as an adult facilitator.

Diane is also part of GSNYPENN’s History & Archives Committee. She continues to archive and coordinate council and Girl Scout history and works to ensure it is preserved and maintained. She also played an instrumental role in revamping the council’s heritage and fashion trunks and the Honoring Our Heritage program which are now available to all troops across the council thanks to Diane and the H&A Committee.

Diane’s dedication and hard work have had an immeasurable impact on the success of GSNYPENN.

President’s Award 2024

Recognizes a Service Unit team that surpasses unit goals and results in a significant, measurable impact toward reaching the council’s overall goals

Service Unit 213 – Northern Community (Oneida County, N.Y.)

Service Unit 260 – Little Falls (Herkimer County, N.Y.)

Service Unit 416 – Victor (Ontario County, N.Y.)

Service Unit 417 – Newark (Wayne County, N.Y.)

Service Unit 421 – Three Sisters (Wayne County, N.Y.)

Service Unit 425 – Caywasco (Cayuga County, N.Y.)

Service Unit 433 – Sugar Moss (Bradford County, Pa.)

Service Unit 446 – Crooked Lake (Steuben County, N.Y.)

Service Unit 451 – Wa-Co-Na (Steuben County, N.Y.)

Appreciation Pin

Recognizes a volunteer’s exemplary support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, presented to a recipient who has had a measurable impact on one geographic area and helps the council reach and surpass mission delivery goals in that area

Andrea Tochelli-Ward, Liverpool, N.Y.

Molly Russell, Vestal, N.Y.

Sandra Barner, Andover, N.Y.

Katie Williams, Ithaca, N.Y.

Laurie Mclaughlin, Dansville, N.Y.

Jean Mendelsohn, Millport, N.Y.

Marjorie (Kim) Stage, Horseheads, N.Y.

Corrine Tilton, Seneca Falls, N.Y.

Tawnya Burns, Auburn, N.Y.

Erin Krell, Auburn, N.Y.

Heather Demaria, Auburn, N.Y.

Paula Noll, Jamesville, N.Y.

Marie Campos, Fort Drum, N.Y.

Tammy Brown, Blossburg, Pa.

Charlotte Gaines, Watkins Glen, N.Y.

Kimberly Vitale, Manlius, N.Y.

Elizabeth Hosmer, Nichols, N.Y.

Brianna Parker, Endicott, N.Y.

Ashley Place, Clinton, N.Y.

Elizabeth Woodhams, Macedon, N.Y.

Rebecca Szalay, Clifton Springs, N.Y.

Nicole Payne, Victor, N.Y.

Corinne Wilson, Little Falls, N.Y.

Sean Crittenden, Farmington, N.Y.

Priscilla Larry, Rome, N.Y.

Sharon Mcguinness, Endwell, N.Y.

Sarah Adams, Wyalusing, Pa.

Melissa Arthur, North Rose, N.Y.

Ever-Green Award

Recognize volunteers who have previously received the Appreciation, Honor, Thanks or Thanks Badge II; the recipient continues to provide amazing efforts for a minimum of three years after receiving the original award

Katharine Smith, Seneca Falls, N.Y.

Anna LaRocca, Seneca Falls, N.Y.

Holly Pelzer, Little Falls, N.Y.

Colene Hulbert, Akport, N.Y.

Carleen Lattin, Elmira, N.Y.

Penny Harageones, Delancey, N.Y.

Jeff Osborn, Blossburg, Pa.

Rising Star

Recognizes a first- or second-year volunteer who has hit the ground running to make an immediate impact on Girl Scouts

Maria McKown, Chenango Forks, N.Y.

Erin Earl, Big Flats, N.Y.

Carrie Vogel, Bath, N.Y.

Amy Felker, Horseheads, N.Y.

Ellie Nierstedt, Ithaca, N.Y.

Kassandra Williams, North Rose, N.Y.

Rebecca Painter, Woodhull, N.Y.

Tina Berry, Rochester, N.Y.

Natasha Fay, Little Falls, N.Y.

Deborah Robinette, Seneca Falls, N.Y.

Samantha Koch, Clinton, N.Y.

Leona Vryhof, Central Square, N.Y.

Tess MacQueen, Ithaca, N.Y.

Erin BrindAmour-Smith, Rushville, N.Y.

Sasha Snyder, Fort Drum, N.Y.

Nereida Nava, Fort Drum, N.Y.

Katelyn Roe, Cobleskill, N.Y.

Marissa Stevens, Wysox, Pa.

Elizabeth Watson, Watkins Glen, N.Y.

Genevieve Fuller, Potsdam, N.Y.

Marlena Lerch, Central Square, N.Y.

Francesca McBride, Clay, N.Y.

Lauren Carlyle, Manlius, N.Y.

Miranda Markwardt, Poland, N.Y.

Michelle Martin-Baron, Geneva, N.Y.

Jennifer Cassidy, Fillmore, N.Y.

Penny Swarthout, Friendship, N.Y.

Angie Deiter, Scio, N.Y.

Delores Finamore, Wellsville, N.Y.

April Molloy, Wellsville, N.Y.

Chelsea McAllister, East Syracuse, N.Y.

Nicole Olmsted, East Syracuse, N.Y.

Melissa Miner, East Syracuse, N.Y.

Karen Trapasso, Dewitt, N.Y.

Ashley Seppeler, Victor, N.Y.

Vanessa Denslow, Remsen, N.Y.

Stormee Shepardson, Little Falls, N.Y.

Meghan Rutherford, Penn Yann, N.Y.

Latrisha Gaboriault, Dundee, N.Y.

Laura Coplai, Penn Yann, N.Y.

Alicia Parkhurst, Penn Yann, N.Y.

Amanda Tilburg, Manchester, N.Y.

Jennifer Brown, Manchester, N.Y.

Allison  Petrone, Shortsville, N.Y.

Rachel  Finogle, Monroeton, Pa.

Susan Williams, Wyalusing, Pa.

Lauren Diop, Canton, N.Y.

Cheyenne Johnson, Troupsburg, N.Y.

Spirit Award

Recognizes a volunteer who supports the Girl Scout Movement within GSNYPENN; the recipient works diligently behind the scenes, provides extra assistance and supports fellow volunteers/troops

Ashley Decker, Bloomville, N.Y.

Melissa Wagner, Horseheads, N.Y.

Katherine Peterson-Lyle, Pulteney, N.Y.

Samantha Bell, Prattsburgh, N.Y

Sarah Munsey, Macedon, N.Y.

Sarah Hilton, Prattsburgh, N.Y

Ruth Chaffee, Prattsburgh, N.Y

Kara Welliver, Wyalusing, Pa.

Stacie Mullen, Rexville, N.Y.

Rebecca Winterson, Syracuse, N.Y.

Cindy Warshel, Seneca Falls, N.Y.

Linda Jeffery, Sabinsville, Pa.

Aubrie Goebert, Port Byron, N.Y.

Catherine Capeling, Auburn, N.Y.

Stephanie Gillis, Morrisville, N.Y.

Darren Snyder, Fort Drum, N.Y.

Baldomero Campos, Fort Drum, N.Y.

Justin Kieffer, Fort Drum, N.Y.

Matthew Gragg, Fort Drum, N.Y.

Kayla Sherman, Calcium, N.Y.

Kaitlyn Wheatly-Kichline, Fort Drum, N.Y.

John Brown, Fort Drum, N.Y.

Melinda Jensen, Stanley, N.Y.

Katrina Smith, Canandaigua, N.Y.

Katie Revere, Clay, N.Y.

Amy Sturgeon, Clay, N.Y.

Joelle Springer, Farmington, N.Y.

Jennifer Kellogg, Burdett, N.Y.

Megan  Riedl, Potsdam, N.Y.

Jeanne Albanese, Syracuse, N.Y.

Mindy   Andrews, Canandaigua, N.Y.

Jennifer Farman, Little Falls, N.Y.

Christin Morsez, Farmington, N.Y.

Kerri Mastin, Springwater, N.Y.

Krista Schwenzer, Wayland, N.Y.

Lorraine McGovern, Frankfort, N.Y.

Agnes Hoey, Canton, N.Y.

Thanks Badge

Recognizes a volunteer whose ongoing commitment, leadership and service had had an exceptional, measurable impact on meeting the mission-delivery goals and priorities of the entire council or Girl Scout Movement

Katherine Haberer, Central Square, N.Y.

Erika Lambert, Manlius, N.Y.

Mary Coykendall, Watkins Glen, N.Y.

Thanks II Badge

Recognizes a volunteer who has previously received the Thanks Badge and has continued to provide exemplary service in a leadership role, resulting in a measurable impact that benefits the entire Girl Scout Movement

Amy Szewc-Mcfadden, Clifton Springs, N.Y.

Kathleen Hougland, Fayetteville, N.Y.

Trefoil Award

Recognizes a Girl Scout volunteer team within GSNYPENN; this team works together to accomplish amazing goals.

Service Unit Team 409 – Geneva, Geneva, N.Y.

Service Unit Team 440 – Pegasus, Horseheads, N.Y.

Service Unit 512 – Indian Trails, Fort Drum, N.Y.

Service Unit Team 453 – Rambling River, Wellsville, N.Y.

History & Archives Committee, Binghamton, N.Y.

Volunteer of Excellence

Recognizes a volunteer who has contributed to outstanding service while partnering directly with youth in any pathway to implement the Girl Scout Leadership Experience or who has contributed outstanding service in support of the council’s mission delivery to members

Casandra Millett, Central Square, N.Y.

Katie Palm, Delhi, N.Y.

Monica Hernandes, Lyons, N.Y.

Kristen Gallo, Vestal, N.Y.

Jennifer Cummings, Bainbridge, N.Y.

Amy Huggins, New Berlin, N.Y.

Beth Calhoun, Honeoye, N.Y.

Juanita Rosenbloom, Hammondsport, N.Y.

Katy Wilson, Hammondsport, N.Y.

Helen Harer, Covington, Pa.

Melissa Miller, Lyons, N.Y.

Erin Cunia, Manlius, N.Y.

Kristy Fitch, Delancey, N.Y.

Jennifer Thorne, Seneca Falls, N.Y.

Kimberly Jurenko, Central Square, N.Y.

Jaclyn Stevens, Williamstown, N.Y.

Meghan Barbay, Seneca Falls, N.Y.

Samantha Dailey, Parish, N.Y.

Erica LaRussa, Geneva, N.Y.

Kristi Stevens, Parish, N.Y.

Jaclyn TeRiele, DE Kalb Junction, N.Y.

Emily Pascale, Syracuse, N.Y.

Adlain Milheim, Mansfield, Pa.

Amanda Fosberg, Liverpool, N.Y.

Katie Green, Owasco, N.Y.

Tanya Kuhl, Mansfield, Pa.

Annie Latterell, Elmira, N.Y.

Susan Hoskins, Elmira, N.Y.

Dawn Adams, Middlebury Center, Pa.

Amanda Prigge, Wayland, N.Y.

Anna Osborn, Blossburg, Pa.

Karen Schultz, Blossburg, Pa.

Gina Cooper, Syracuse, N.Y.

Korena Onyper, Canton, N.Y.

Michelle Dee, Painted Post, N.Y.

Danielle Cima, Cicero, N.Y.

Sarah Gridley, Fayetteville, N.Y.

Corry Derschang, Fayetteville, N.Y.

Laura Drachenberg, Manlius, N.Y.

Alicia Frisbie, Manlius, N.Y.

Julie Pierson, Phelps, N.Y.

Kessie Andrus, Clifton Springs, N.Y.

Heather Snyder, Clifton Springs, N.Y.

Brenda Belcher, Phelps, N.Y.

Meredith Ritter, Fayetteville, N.Y.

Dolly Peterson, Remsen, N.Y.

Catherine Browning, Remsen, N.Y.

Susan Donahue, Norwood, N.Y.

Sara Day-Schulz, Madrid, N.Y.

Jamie Fairchild, Waddington, N.Y.

Mary Ann Sawyer, Morrisville, N.Y.

Membership Numeral Guard

Recognizes the total number of years registered as a Girl Scout member, including youth and adult years 

5 Years

Elizabeth Watson, Watkins Glen, N.Y.

Ashlynn Harris, Liverpool, N.Y.

Stormee Shepardson, Little Falls, N.Y.

Katelyn Millay, Adams Center, N.Y.

Melissa Gragg, Fort Drum, N.Y.

Ashley Lewis, Central Square, N.Y.

Amber Potter, Norwich, N.Y.

10 Years 

Amanda Jones, Norwood, N.Y.

Melinda Sheppard, Moravia, N.Y.

Stephanie O’Brien, Oswego, N.Y.

Paige Kennedy, Fayetteville, N.Y.

15 Years

Rose Cook, Alfred, N.Y.

Jenny Townsend, Canton, N.Y.

Jennifer Foster, Brewerton, N.Y.

Pyperanne Bender, Ogdensburg, N.Y.

Heather Wainwright, Rensselaer Falls, N.Y.

Amanda Lambright, Adams Center, N.Y.

Krista Schwenzer, Waylan, N.Y.

Jeanie Farrell, Victor, N.Y.

Samantha Hanbach, Andover, N.Y.

Kathryn Rine, Farmington, N.Y.

Renee Rivera, Addison, N.Y.

Lisa Westmiller, Auburn, N.Y.

Daneille Tracy, Union Springs, N.Y.

Rachel Pflueger, Auburn, N.Y.

Tammy Sloughter, Ovid, N.Y.

Tina Kallin, Nicols, N.Y.

Serafina Sortino, Utica, N.Y.

20 Years

Robyn Kennedy, Wyalusing, Pa.

Anna Osborn, Blossburg, Pa.

Stacie Mullen, Rexville, N.Y.

Jennifer Cummings, Bainbridge, N.Y.

Janice VanHouten, Afton, N.Y.

Ashley Chambers, Geneva, N.Y.

Jessica Chambers, Bainbridge, N.Y.

Rosalind Gatto, Sidney, N.Y.

Verna (Diane) Apgar, Afton, N.Y.

Leslie Tallmadge, Afton, N.Y.

Elizabeth Renzetti, Geneva, N.Y.

Helen Pflueger, Auburn, N.Y.

Stacy Curtis, Auburn, N.Y.

25 Years

Jennifer Vanderlinde, Williamson, N.Y.

Dolly Peterson, Remsen, N.Y.

Mary Lawrence, Ogdensburg, N.Y.

Lindsey Remington, Lisbon, N.Y.

Karen Miller, Clyde, N.Y.

30 Years

Sandra McCarthy, Ogdensburg, N.Y.

Tara Crowley, Ogdensburg, N.Y.

Erica Kelso, Ogdensburg, N.Y.

Heather Mcadoo, Victor, N.Y.

Rhonda Sorber, Apalachin, N.Y.

Mary Creller, Tioga Center, N.Y.

Kathryn Sackett, Athens, Pa.

Colleen Weibel, Locke, N.Y.

40 Years

Terrie Haynes, Auburn, N.Y.

Kristy Partridge, Auburn, N.Y.

Christina Danylec-Thornton, Cayuga, N.Y.

45 Years

Katherine Bootie, North Brookfield, N.Y.

Diane Bootie, North Brookfield, N.Y.

Donna Clark, Auburn, N.Y. 

60 Years

Doris Whitehead, Ogdensburg, N.Y.

Volunteer Service Pin 

Recognizes an adult member for years of active volunteer service at five-year intervals 

5 Years 

Sirene Garcia, Penn Yann, N.Y. 

Michele Pate, New Berlin, N.Y. 

Elizabeth Pizzuto, New Berlin, N.Y. 

Rebecca Moffitt, Sherburne, N.Y. 

Angelica Palmer, Cherry Valley, N.Y. 

Alissa Creighton, Horseheads, N.Y. 

Annie Latterell, Elmira, N.Y. 

Dacie Dusseault, Pine City, N.Y. 

Lisa Orth, Baldwinsville, N.Y. 

Rebecca Porter, Memphis, N.Y. 

Brent Phillips, Heuvelton, N.Y. 

Billiejo Vecchio, Adams Center, N.Y. 

Becky Begley, Ilion, N.Y.  

Candina Harmer, Phoenix, N.Y.  

Sarah Woodward-Jones, Minoa, N.Y. 

Jared Arthur, North Rose, N.Y.  

Monica Hernandes, Lyons, N.Y.  

Sam Cook, Whitesville, N.Y. 

Melinda Fry, Whitesville, N.Y. 

Rashell Pastore, Whitesville, N.Y. 

Corinne Wilson, Little Falls, N.Y.  

Laura Hartpence, Hamilton, N.Y. 

Meaghan Gyarmati, Chenango Forks, N.Y. 

Deirdre Ballard, Whitney Point, N.Y.  

Andrea Waterman, Durhamville, N.Y. 

Jennifer Erzen, Manlius, N.Y. 

Corrine Tilton, Seneca Falls, N.Y. 

Cindy Warshel, Seneca Falls, N.Y. 

Kathryn Mckay, Clay, N.Y.  

Abbie Marnell, Locke, N.Y.  

Madeleine Grobelny, Moravia, N.Y. 

Karen Laboranti, Laceyville, Pa. 

Michelle Heeman, Wyalusing, Pa. 

Stephen Matyas, Memphis, N.Y. 

Mark Brizzi, Central Square, N.Y. 

Ashley  Lewis, Central Square, N.Y. 

Holly Schell, Central Square, N.Y.  

Jennifer Townsend, Canton, N.Y.  

10 Years 

Terry Hall, Sayre, Pa. 

Amy Huggins, New Berlin, N.Y. 

Sheena Reny, Sherburne, N.Y. 

Tonisha Tompkins, Horseheads, N.Y. 

Nicole    Schiffer, Binghamton, N.Y. 

Amie Rouse, Binghamton, N.Y. 

Kim Griswold, Oneonta, N.Y.  

Lisa Spencer, Nedrow, N.Y. 

Kelly Berger, Nedrow, N.Y. 

Meghan Barbay, Seneca Falls, N.Y. 

Sarah Hooper, Rome, N.Y. 

Kathleen Wilde, Union Springs, N.Y.  

Jackalyn Grobelny, Moravia, N.Y.  

Kati Batty, Aurora, N.Y. 

Christina Akins, Auburn, N.Y. 

Sarah Gridley, Fayetteville, N.Y. 

Beth Dewalt, Ithaca, N.Y. 

Liz Westcott, Oswego, N.Y. 

Korena Onyper, Canton, N.Y. 

Gina O’Shea, Canton, N.Y.  

15 Years 

Catherine Browning, Remsen, N.Y. 

Alicia Frisbie, Manlius, N.Y.  

20 Years 

Gina Tricamo, Sodus, N.Y. 

Nicholas Potter, Towanda, Pa. 

Jaclyn TeRiele, DeKalb Junction, N.Y. 

25 Years 

Barbara Ray, Palmyra, N.Y. 

Agnes Hoey, Canton, N.Y. 

April Allen, Hermon, N.Y. 

30 Years 

Deborah Rachon, Newport, N.Y. 

Priscilla Larry, Rome, N.Y. 

Dianne Zelaska, Nicols, N.Y. 

40 Years 

Bonnie Bailey, Millerton, Pa. 

Sharon Caspari, Weedsport, N.Y.  

Mary Coykendall, Watkins Glen, N.Y. 

65 Years 

Sharon Puleo, Utica, N.Y. 

GSNYPENN serves Girl Scouts in grades K-12 across 26 counties: Allegany, Broome, Cayuga, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Oswego, Otsego, St. Lawrence, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Wayne and Yates in New York and Bradford and Tioga in Pennsylvania. Annual membership is just $25; financial assistance is available. To start your Girl Scouts adventure, visit gsnypenn.org/join. To become an adult volunteer, learn more at gsnypenn.org/volunteer. To help make Girl Scouting possible in your community, visit gsnypenn.org/donate.