Sasha Ircha, a Bronxville High School senior, has earned the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor that a Girl Scout can earn after years of service, dedication and hard work.
It took Ircha, who has received numerous awards for her community service as a member of the Girl Scout’s Bronxville Service Unit 726, more than 80 hours over the course of a year to complete her extensive Gold Award project, titled “Spreading Kindness Through Food and Actions.” For her project, which required a sustainable response to an issue or cause, she chose to focus on The Reformed Church of Bronxville’s Coming Home Program, and raise money and awareness around the issue of hunger among women.
“The Coming Home Program is a re-entry program that is designed to help women rebuild their lives after being incarcerated,” Ircha said. “It is a nurturing and supportive program that assists women with rehabilitation, employment and personal healing.”
As part of her project, Ircha cooked and served meals at the Coming Home Program’s weekly community event that fed more than 40 people. She also provided support to the women and helped plan their successful graduation from the program.
“During this experience, I learned that anyone can help others in need, no matter what age or where they come from,” Ircha said. “Spending time with these women and watching them graduate from the program with their families and friends present was very meaningful for me, and I am so grateful for it. There is such a special feeling when seeing how your time and genuine effort has helped a community.”
Ircha said the women appreciated her assistance and have expressed that her presence at the meetings and during the community meals helped them feel a sense of youthfulness and hope.
Besides her involvement with the Girl Scouts, Ircha is a member of the Westchester Habitat for Humanity’s High School Advisory Board, serves as co-president of the Bronxville High School’s Habitat for Humanity Club and plays lacrosse on the varsity team. She also runs the annual Village of Bronxville “Toys for Tots” toy drive, which she and her older brother Steven founded a few years ago while he was a member of Boy Scouts Troop 5. Over the last two summers, Ircha has interned at the Lupus Research Alliance and helped plan the annual New York Jets Kickoff Luncheon, which raises money for the Lupus Research Alliance and Jets Foundation.
Photo Caption: Bronxville High School senior Sasha Ircha has earned the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award.
