North Hills High School senior Melanie Zeitler earns Girl Scout Gold Award .
INPERSON
Making a
Difference
North Hills High School senior Melanie Zeitler earns Girl Scout Gold Award .
BY NICOLE TAFE
“ I encourage Girl Scouts of all ages to start something in their community — no matter how big or small the idea . If you have a cause that means something to you , use it to help to make the world a better place .”
For years , Girl Scouts around the world have been making their communities a better place through various projects that make a lasting difference . West View ’ s Melanie Zeitler recently earned the highest achievement in Girl Scouting — the Gold Award — for her project that brought the joy of music to preschoolers .
Melanie , 17 , is the daughter of Andrea and Gilbert Zeitler and is currently a senior at North Hills High School . She is involved in many extracurricular activities including Future Teachers of America ( vice president ), SADD , Marching Band ( squad leader ), Symphonic Choir ( robe coordinator ), Wind Symphony , and German National Honors Society . In addition to these activities , she is also a member of the North Pittsburgh Symphonic Band .
Melanie has been a Girl Scout for 12 years and is a Girl Scout Ambassador . “ I ’ ve really enjoyed the opportunity to travel to places like Washington , D . C ., and Niagara Falls with my troop ,” she says . She has been an independent scout since her troop disbanded in 2012 , and has worked with various family members including her aunt , uncle , grandmother and sister to continue to earn badges .
For her Gold Award project , Melanie combined her love of music and education by bringing the music department and childhood development classes together to introduce preschool students to music . She took groups of preschoolers to the band and chorus rooms and taught classes that involved singing and playing instruments . To execute this , Melanie had to plan , create and teach lessons . “ I found my inspiration for the project by being a student involved with music and also being a part of a few child development classes ,” she explains . “ I want to be an elementary school teacher , so working with young kids and music are a passion of mine .”
Melanie began the project in January 2015 and it took a yearand-a-half to complete . Her aunt , Karen Zeitler , was her mentor throughout the project , and her Girl Scout advisor , Kris Svidro , also assisted .
Melanie will study early childhood education and special education at La Roche College in the fall . Her dream job is to teach grades Pre-K through sixth .
“ We are very proud of Melanie ,” says her mom , Andrea . “ It ’ s not easy to be involved with Girl Scouts without the help of a troop , and Melanie has shown that even without a troop , she can accomplish anything that she sets her mind to .”
After the project , Melanie has a lot of people to thank , including her parents , teachers Shaun Cloonan , Len Lavelle , Chris Ballentine , Chris Rodack and Bonnie Ziff , as well as her aunt and uncle , Karen and Greg Zeitler . “ I encourage Girl Scouts of all ages to start something in their community — no matter how big or small the idea ,” she says . “ If you have a cause that means something to you , use it to help to make the world a better place .” n
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