WHITESBORO – A full house gathered at Bethel Commandment Church of the Living God in Whitesboro July 10, and supported recent high school graduate, Tamara Farrow. She received the Gold Award, the highest Girl Scouts award.
Throughout the ceremony, Girl Scout Troop 46175 coordinators and officers, as well as guest speakers from the freeholder board, the state and Congress spoke of the excellence Farrow achieved.
The ceremony began with a processional of younger scouts, Daisies, Juniors, Cadettes and Seniors. They walked down the aisle to the song “Just the Way You Are” by Bruno Mars.
There was also the welcoming of Farrow and her parents, Tiffany Farrow and Robert Farrow III, along with a welcome address by Farrow’s aunt, Gail Farrow, who is a troop coordinator.
Gail Farrow opened the address, “We welcome everyone to Tamara’s Gold Award ceremony … this evening we will honor Tamara for her hard work.”
Kamisha Brown, one of the troop leaders, presented a Gold Award citation to Farrow. She stated, “Girl Scout Tamara Farrow, we are happy to award you this Gold Award citation. You joined through 46175 … Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New Jersey as a Daisy Girl Scout in October 2006 and continued on to becoming an ambassador of Girl Scouts.
“On behalf of the Girl Scouts of United Stated of America, Central and Southern New Jersey Council and the Local Board Committee, … you will always represent the finest of character and citizenship. We welcome you as a grown Gold Award recipient. Congratulations to your parents,” said Brown.
Freeholder E. Marie Hayes also gave remarks on Farrow’s achievement. “Every person in this room is inspired by you (Farrow). You are extremely genuine … you took your time … to inspire others, to empower others.
“Our country needs young ladies and young men just like you,” Hayes continued.
Guest speaker, Dr. Sharon Rementer, spoke about Farrow’s accomplishments. Rementer, athletic director at Middle Township High School, was close to Farrow during her time in high school and spoke of her achievements and attitude.
Rementer stated, “On and off the athletic field, Tamara was shy. It wasn’t until the Women’s Empowerment Assembly in February that I witnessed her passion for empowering others and herself … she came to me and said, ‘Rementer, I want to be a part of this.’
“She is persistent. She is eager to be a part of this movement … Tamara has that platform where she’s able to speak her truth, she is able to address her fellow classmates and she did just that,” Rementer continued.
In addition, Farrow’s mother expressed praise for how far her daughter had come.
“I am proud of her leadership, her courage, and that she doesn’t shy away from a challenge.
“It’s nice seeing her succeed through Girl Scouts, church. It’s just nice to see her thriving,” she continued.
Farrow mentioned how Girl Scouts shaped her as a person and what types of benefits and strengths it gave her.
“I would say that the strengths that I received are being able to speak among a crowd of 400, leader skills in allowing me to become a role model, and the courage to put my best foot forward,” Farrow stated.
Farrow’s message of empowerment to young girls and women is to “Put your best foot forward and do whatever you put your mind to.”
