Girl Scout earns Gold Award with self-defense lessons

SPARTA — After learning statistics and reports about abduction and abuse cases, Lisa Petrin decided she wanted to focus her Girl Scout Gold Award on self defense. A recent graduate of Sparta High School and member of Girl Scout Troop No. 723, Lisa completed a 65-hour leadership project to achieve Girl Scouting’s highest award, hosting several self defense classes at Smith’s Kickboxing in Lake Mohawk. “I hosted the classes to teach girls how to defend themselves against sexual predators,” said Lisa. “It takes a lot of hard work and determination to complete a project like this.” Admission to the class was a bag of toiletries which she donated to DASI — Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Intervention Services in Newton. She also made a DVD of the self-defense class and gave it to local health teachers and libraries. Lisa has been a Girl Scout since kindergarten and says the experience has taught her important life skills. “Girl Scouts taught me time management, perseverance, and determination, and it gave me a way to give back to my community,” she said This fall, Lisa plans to attend Rutgers University’s School of Pharmacy. The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest award a Girl Scout can earn and requires each girl to complete a project in leadership development, career exploration and community service. Earning the award culminates in the 65-hour leadership project, planned and executed by each girl. Within Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey, 12 percent of eligible girls earn their Girl Scout Gold Award, compared to the national average of six percent. The Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey serves girls ages 5-17 in 160 municipalities including all of Bergen, Morris, Passaic, and Sussex counties and the northern half of Warren County. There are currently 34,097 girl members and 17,125 adult members. For more information about Girl Scouts, call the Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey at 973-248-8200.