Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England partners with over 2,000 trained, dedicated, and wonderful adult volunteers who share their time and talent to make Girl Scouts the success it is. Everyone at GSSNE deeply appreciates the work volunteers, families, and community partners do to support Girl Scouts and we thank them for their selfless acts of service. GSSNE offers a variety of ways to recognize and honor those who have made a positive impact in Girl Scouts. See below for ways to celebrate those you know who have made a Girl Scout difference.
2026 Adult Recognition Recipients
At our Annual Meeting & Adult Recognitions Ceremony on May 14, 2026, we recognized the outstanding accomplishments of our local volunteers. Here are the awardees!
Milestones of Membership
Cindy Nadeau, 30 years, Westerly/Pawcatuck
Krystle Poirier, 30 years, Woonsocket
Volunteer Years of Service
Laura Masterson, 25 years, Bristol/Warren
Tina Middleton, 25 years, Attleboro
Sherry Amaral, 40 years, Barrington
Madalyn (Pat) Smith, 40 years, Pawtucket
Betty Cugini, 75 years, Westerly/Pawcatuck
GSSNE Rising Star Award
Rachel Ballirano, Apple Valley
Meredith Barr, Coventry/West Warwick
Megan Fagella, Southgansett
Holly Fisher, Newport/Middletown
Elyse Foster, Newport/Middletown
Ashley Furtado, Newport/Middletown
Jasey Goff, Bristol/Warren
Emilie Halton, Newport/Middletown
Amanda Leite, Bristol/Warren
Hayden McDermott, Newport/Middletown
Janelle Morelli, Southgansett
Courtney Nelson, North Kingstown/Jamestown
Rachel Schoonmaker, Portsmouth
Abigail Tarver, Chariho
Erin Woulfe, Warwick
GSSNE Guiding Star Award
Carlen Lopez, Warwick
Kristina Thomas, North Kingstown/Jamestown.
Christine Zielinski, Warwick
GSUSA Appreciation Pin
Amanda Batastini, Cumberland
Melissa Bousquet, Southgansett
Katherine Buckingham, Portsmouth
Lindsay Garfield, Exeter/West Greenwich
Jessica Garvey, North Kingstown/Jamestown
Jamie Goeden, North Kingstown/Jamestown
Amy Grzybowski, Exeter/West Greenwich
Brea Hutchinson, Exeter/West Greenwich
Alison King, Cumberland
Sarah Malek, Bristol/Warren
Allison Thorne, North Kingstown/Jamestown
GSUSA Volunteer of Excellence Pin
Amy Almeida, Bristol/Warren
Lisa Crowell, Bristol/Warren
Kelly Fontaine, Apple Valley .
Kelli Gudz, Newport/Middletown
GSSNE Kit Hammett Award
Lori Dickerson, Woonsocket
Janessa LeComte, Portsmouth
Kristina Schrag, Providence
Kristin Zosa Puleo, Exeter/West Greenwich
GSSNE Mira Hoffman Award
Sherry Amaral, Barrington
GSUSA Thanks Badge
Sharon Johnson, Apple Valley
Laura Masterson, Bristol/Warren
GSSNE Hall of Fame Award
Betty Cugini, Westerly
Girl Scout Shout-Out
Surprise a fellow Girl Scout volunteer with our online "Girl Scout Shout-Out" program (formerly "Encore! GSSNE's Peer Appreciation Program")! Send a High Five, Fist Bump, or Pat on the Back to cheer on your peers and recognize a job well done. Submit your form to show your appreciation!
Annual Adult Recognitions
Recognizing adult volunteers is an important annual Girl Scout tradition that allows council staff and volunteers to nominate those in the GSSNE community who make extraordinary contributions to Girl Scouts. This year’s nomination period is now closed.
Awards and their criteria are listed below, or check out all awards in our Adult Recognitions At-A-Glance document.
Past Adult Recognition Recipients 
GSSNE Special Supporter Award
GSSNE Rising Star
GSSNE Guiding Star Award
GSUSA Appreciation Pin
GSUSA Volunteer of Excellence Award
GSSNE Kit Hammett Award
GSUSA Honor Pin
GSSNE Heritage Award
GSSNE Mira Hoffman Award
GSUSA Thanks Badge
GSUSA Thanks Badge II
GSSNE Hall of Fame Award
GSUSA Milestones of Membership
GSSNE's Ruth Haslegrave Milestones of Membership for 75 years of membership
GSUSA Years of Service Pin
FAQ
When is the deadline for annual adult recognitions?
If my nominations are late, will they still be accepted?
Are the awards earned sequentially? For example, must a volunteer
receive the Appreciation Pin before receiving the Honor Pin?
Can I self-nominate?
How many nominations may I submit?
May I submit a nomination and an endorsement for the same volunteer and
award?
How long does it take to complete a nomination?
Once I start a nomination or endorsement, can I save my spot and
continue later?
How will I know that my nomination or endorsement has been received?
