LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Alicia Mizes upon the occasion of
receiving the distinguished Girl Scout Gold Award, the most prestigious
of Girl Scouting honors

WHEREAS, Alicia Mizes, through her diligence and rigorous efforts, has
achieved Scouting's highest and most prestigious honor, the Girl Scout
Gold Award; she will be honored by Girl Scouts of Western New York's
Pittsford Service Unit at a special Court of Awards ceremony on Sunday,
May 20, 2012; and
WHEREAS, A student at Pittsford Sutherland High School, Alicia Mizes
is a member of a Girl Scouts of America troop in Pittsford; and
WHEREAS, America has achieved her greatest heights of glory through
the dedication, determination and tireless efforts of the outstanding
citizens of this nation; and
WHEREAS, It is only with the continued diligence and devotion of our
youth, tomorrow's leaders, that America will maintain her glory; and
WHEREAS, Girl Scouts of America and its members are dedicated to the
development of character and leadership in the youth of this nation; and
WHEREAS, Since 1980, Senior Girl Scouts have capped their years of
achievement in Girl Scouting with the Girl Scout Gold Award; and
WHEREAS, In order to earn the Girl Scout Gold Award, a girl must
fulfill five requirements; chief among them is the design and completion
of a Gold Award Project; this project must build upon the interests of
the girl, provide a service to the community, and be of lasting benefit;
and
WHEREAS, For her Gold Award project entitled "Adopt a Grandbuddy,"
Alicia Mizes, forged a bond between the youngest and eldest members of
our society; she first initiated a pen pal relationship between the
young students at her congregation, Congregation Etz Chaim, and resi-
dents at Heather Heights of Pittsford, a senior living facility; and
WHEREAS, Alicia Mizes worked with the Volunteer Coordinators to ensure
that the students and residents were well-matched and shared some common
interests and experiences; from November until February, she focused
primarily on the written correspondence between the buddies, helping the
students write their letters every Sunday, and assisting the residents
throughout the week; and
WHEREAS, In their letters, the participants included details about
themselves, their activities throughout the week, and questions they had
about, or for, their partners; and
WHEREAS, Alicial Mizes would, in addition, occasionally plan a fun
craft project, such as painting wooden animals, for the children to make
and give to their buddies; and
WHEREAS, Eventually she arranged for the students and the residents to
meet in person and, over the following two months, she organized several
gatherings during which the students and residents played board games,
chatted about events, exchanged pictures, snacked on brunch and enjoyed
each other's company; and
WHEREAS, She also hosted a final Grandbuddy party at which the parents
joined and enjoyed the partnership between their children and the Heath-
er Heights residents; and
WHEREAS, An outstanding young woman, Alicia Mizes has been involved in
Scouting for years, has lived up to Scouting's ideals and has attained
all of the necessary achievements for the Girl Scout Gold Award; and
WHEREAS, Alicia Mizes is a credit to her family, her school, her
community, her State and her nation, and no doubt her future will be
filled with accomplishments of equal importance; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations, in
recognition of the significance of this meritorious achievement, to
congratulate and honor Alicia Mizes upon the occasion of her designation
as recipient of a Girl Scout Gold Award; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Alicia Mizes.