SOMERS, N.Y.–Danielle Acocella of Somers has found herself in a cycle of giving after becoming involved with a local horse rescue to complete the requirements of her Girl Scout Silver Award project.
Since 1916, the Girl Scouts have had a long-standing tradition of recognizing the extraordinary efforts of extraordinary girls, according to the Girl Scouts’ website. The award has changed names, but has always been earned by young women who undertake projects to improve their communities. Currently the award is among the highest achievements in Girl Scouting, second only to the Gold Award, which requires a bit more independence and more hours, according to Danielle, and it is typically achieved by older girls.
The award, only open to high school students, “challenges you to change the world—or at least your corner of it,” according to the Girl Scouts website.
Danielle, 14, has been riding horses for half of her lifetime. So when it came time to change her corner of the world, it naturally involved the animals she’s grown to love.
“Many people do not realize that horses are incredibly sensitive,” she said. Horses relate with the same social patterns of humans, she said, “which gives them the ability to react to human body language and emotions. They are great companions and can help people overcome their fears.”
• To read more from this story in the newspaper, please request a FREE subscription to The Somers Record by clicking on the following link: http://www.halstonmedia.com/requestors/sr_requestor.pdf
