During the 2025 Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida Gold Award Ceremony, Lauren Rinella of Cooper City was named the recipient of the Gina Rose Montalto Memorial Scholarship. This $2,500 scholarship carries deep significance within the Girl Scout community, honoring the life and legacy of Gina Rose Montalto, a dedicated Girl Scout whose life was tragically cut short during the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in 2018.
Gina was a passionate and engaged Girl Scout who had already begun exploring ideas for her Gold Award project when she was in her first year of high school. In her memory, her parents, Tony and Jennifer Montalto, created the scholarship to ensure that Gina’s dream of earning the Gold Award could live on through the accomplishments of others. Since its inception, the scholarship has been awarded to Gold Award Girl Scouts whose work reflects Gina’s values of service, leadership, and community impact.
Lauren was selected for her project titled “BeYOUtifully Aware: Women’s Health and Cancer Prevention.” Her work focused on educating young women about the importance of self-advocacy, routine health screenings, and early detection. Through workshops and educational outreach, Lauren addressed critical gaps in women’s health awareness, especially among teens and young adults.
The selection of Lauren as this year’s recipient not only recognizes the strength and substance of her project but also aligns closely with the spirit in which the scholarship was created. Her commitment to public health education continues the legacy of a young woman who was devoted to making the world a better place.
Lauren will begin her college studies at Broward College this fall, further building on the foundation of service established through her Gold Award work.
