FOLSOM – In a celebration filled with pride, gratitude, and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment, three Girl Scouts from Troop 1315 were honored Friday evening for their success, inclusive of earning the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouting.
The special event filled the Folsom Rotary Clubhouse Friday evening as family, friends and community leaders came together to celebrate the years of dedication, leadership, and service demonstrated by local Girl Scouts Julia Romanelli, Nandini Prasad, and Ela Sahu.
Folsom Mayor Sarah Aquino, who attended the celebration to present special resolutions of commendation, highlighted the significance of the achievement. “The Gold Award is truly a remarkable accomplishment, and I’m so honored to be here tonight to celebrate these exceptional young women,” Aquino said. “In my years on the city council and school board, I’ve attended a dozen Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremonies, but this is the first time I’ve attended a Girl Scout Gold Award ceremony. I am absolutely blown away by the dedication and hard work these young women have shown.”
The Gold Award, which is earned by less than 1% of Girl Scouts, recognizes leadership and the creation of sustainable solutions to community issues. The three honorees were celebrated not only for their impressive projects but also for their years of commitment to Girl Scouting.
Troop leader Janet Romanelli, who has guided Troop 1315 for 11 years, opened the evening by reflecting on the journey of the three Scouts. “Tonight, we’re here to celebrate three exceptional girls, now young ladies, who have advanced through the levels of Girl Scouts. They have each earned the prestigious Gold Award and are now bridging to the adult Girl Scout community,” Romanelli said. “Their accomplishments are not at all usual. Only three out of every 1,000 girls who join Girl Scouts will earn the Gold Award, and I’m so proud that all three of them are from my troop.”
Romanelli praised the Scouts’ dedication, noting that their achievements came on top of rigorous academic schedules and busy extracurricular commitments. “These girls have learned how to be effective citizens and how to make a lasting impact on their communities and the world around them,” she said.
Each of the Girl Scouts were honored for their unique Gold Award project, which addressed a specific community issue. Mayor Aquino proudly spoke about each of the young ladies as she issued them with their resolutions on behalf of the city
Julia Romanelli, a senior at Folsom High School, developed pediatric educational resources to help children prepare for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures. “When I was younger, I had an MRI and went in underprepared, which made me very nervous about the medical setting for a while,” Romanelli explained. “I wanted to create something that could help kids who find themselves in the same situation.”
Romanelli’s project involved creating age-appropriate materials for elementary and middle school students, which are now in the approval process to be distributed by a Northern California health system. Mayor Aquino commended Romanelli’s efforts, saying, “Julia’s project will have a lasting impact on children and families in our community. Her leadership and dedication are truly inspiring.” Romanelli plans to study civil engineering with a specialization in hydrology.
Nandini Prasad, a senior in the International Baccalaureate Program at Mira Loma High School, focused on fostering inclusivity for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) at her school. Prasad redesigned school rallies and sports traditions to make them more accessible and inclusive.
“Through my experience in my school’s Unified PE class, I saw how students with disabilities were often invisible on campus,” Prasad said. “Girl Scouts taught me that when I see a divide, I should try to bridge it.”
Prasad’s project also involved her work with Best Buddies, a club she helped establish at her school to promote friendships and inclusivity. “We’ve made great progress, but there’s still a long way to go,” Prasad said. “I hope the future classes of students will continue to challenge misconceptions about inclusion and friendship.”
Mayor Aquino praised Prasad’s work, noting, “Nandini’s efforts to promote inclusivity have created a more welcoming environment for all students. Her leadership will leave a lasting legacy at her school.” Prasad plans to study astrophysics and pursue a career in cosmology research.
Eila Sahu, also a senior at Mira Loma High School, created a digital learning resource to educate students about biology and the life sciences. Her project included a website with information, trivia, and activities designed for elementary school students.
“I’ve always been interested in biology, and I wanted to make scientific information more engaging and accessible,” Sahu said. Her project also included hosting workshops to teach children about nature and environmental stewardship.Sahu plans to study biology and computer science in college.
Mayor Aquino highlighted Sahu’s dedication, saying, “Eila’s project not only promotes education but also inspires young students to explore their interests in science. Her work is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance.”
The ceremony also welcomed Adriana Pedroza, Associate Director of Girl Experience for Girl Scouts Heart of Central California, who praised the Scouts for their accomplishments.
“You all have joined a class of exceptional women across the country—scientists, politicians, reporters, members of the armed forces—who have earned the Gold Award,” Pedroza said. “What you’ve done is incredible, and your projects will continue to inspire and impact your communities for years to come.”
Pedroza emphasized the rigorous process of earning the Gold Award, which requires over 80 hours of work and the completion of multiple leadership journeys and service projects. “These girls didn’t just work as individuals,” she said. “They had teams, mentors, and a whole community supporting them. Tonight is a celebration of that collective effort.”
The celebration concluded with a symbolic bridging ceremony, marking the Scouts’ transition. Troop leader Romanelli led the Scouts in reciting the Girl Scout Promise and presented them with their graduation certificates.
Mayor Aquino expressed her confidence in the Scouts’ futures. “These young women have demonstrated exceptional courage, confidence, and character,” she said. “I have no doubt they will go on to accomplish even greater things.”
As the evening came to a close, the Scouts took a moment to surprise and thank their troop leader.
“Mom, for 11 years, you’ve led this troop and helped us get to where we are today,” Julia Romanelli said, speaking on behalf of the group. “Through Girl Scouts, we’ve created memories that we’ll never forget.”
The celebration continued with cake and refreshments as guests viewed a collection of memories and accolades on each of the scouts that were on display, along with guest books for those attending to write their personal messages to the girls to remember these days as they are already leaving their own legacy of positive changes and brighter future for their communities so early in their lives.
