Yorktown Girl Goes for the Gold With Tic-Tac-Toe, World Map, Human-Sized Chutes and Ladders Board

Diana Pernicano’s playground project at Crompond School will not only earn her the highest award in Girl Scouting, it will also enrich the lives of students for years to come.

The  senior will have put in more than 65 hours of service to her community by painting games on the grounds of the school, which she once attended and where her mother currently works as a teaching assistant.

"The main reason I wanted to do this was I knew kids were often told what they can't do on a playground—if the grass was wet for example, but not what they could do," Pernicano said. "I did not want students to ever feel left out or bullied and so I thought this would be a great way to provide a solution with lots of games with rules."

The Gold Award requires a Girl Scout to choose a community issue that concerns her; research and plan it, invite volunteers and complete the task while educating and inspiring others.

To this end, she worked with an advisor who introduced her to "Peaceful Playgrounds," an organization dedicated to providing children and school staff many choices of activities for playgrounds and field areas.

Its mission is to teach conflict resolution by encouraging kids to use simple solutions like “rock-paper-scissors” to work out differences, Pernicano said. Four Square, tic-tac-toe, a huge world map, competitive jumping lines and a human-sized Chutes and Ladders board are some of the games that are now colorfully painted at the school—after the project was approved by Crompond School's principal Ken Levy.

"Anything that keeps students well-organized, entertained during recess is a wonderful thing," Levy said. "And Diana has been very responsible, resourceful and thorough in planning this project."

He said there are plans to train the teaching assistants in how the games can be played all year, as the some of the school areas might be plowed in the winter.

After a final interview with scouting officials, Diana is due to be recognized for her work in a special ceremony in early 2012, her mother Karol Pernicano said.

"I am very proud of my daughter’s accomplishments," she said. "This is a very big honor for a very big project and the Gold Award is something she has talked about since first grade."

In addition to scouting, the ambitious student enjoys cross-country running, track and is a member of the Yorktown High School Dance Company.

"I’d like to let anyone know who might have misconceptions about Girl Scouts that it is very cool—you meet friends, help so many people and have lots of fun," she said.

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