Girl Scouts of Oceanside have a triumphant March

The Girl Scouts of Oceanside had plenty going on during the month of March, highlighted by a victory at the Tech Challenge Robotics Championship, a celebration of Girl Scouts Sunday and a visit to celebrate the Shabbat.

Three Oceanside Girl Scouts were a part of Nassau County’s Digital Darlings team, which under the direction of volunteer coach Vaishali Mehta, took first place at the inaugural Tech Challenge Robotic championships at Nassau Community College last month. Ria Mehta, Paige Smith and Elana Pocress represented Oceanside at the event.

The Digital Darlings earned the Inspire Award, which is a top honor given to the robot whose attributes meet all of the highest qualifications in a number of categories. With the victory, the team qualified for the world championships in Detroit.

“They have made Oceanside and girls everywhere so proud,” said Michelle Zagari Geluso, a spokeswoman for the Oceanside Service Unit of Girl Scouts.

On March 10, the Oceanside troop rang in Girl Scout Sunday, which was a national celebration of the 100th anniversary of the creation of Girl Scouts. As part of the event, the scouts attended Mass at St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church and received a welcome and blessing from Deacon Mike Monahan.

Monahan also presented pins inscribed with the message “My Promise, My Faith,” to three of the girls. Once each year, a scout can earn the pin by examining Girl Scout law and tying it directly to the tenants of their faith. After Mass, the troop had a coffee hour and participated in crafts at the Parish Center.

The Girl Scouts and their families also took part in a Jewish Shabbat service at the end of the week, which was organized by leader Tara Coleman. The girls went to Central Synagogue-Beth Emeth in Rockville Centre, where Rabbi Elliot Skiddel blessed them, and presented the “My Promise, My Faith” pin to Rachel Dube and Giavanna Cervone. The scouts then enjoyed a coffee and cake reception, where each member received a Girl Scout Sabbath patch.

“Faith is an important part of Girl Scouts,” Zagari Geluso said, “and our aim is to ensure that girls not only celebrate their personal faith, but have the opportunity to learn and respect the religious beliefs and traditions of their Girl Scout sisters.”