VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS JASON D. LEWIS BROOKFIELD MEMORIAL POST 10201 HEADLINE: Brookfield Girl Scout Wins Connecticut VFW Scout of the Year Award LOCATION: Rocky Hill Connecticut BRIEF DESCRIPTION: During the awards breakfast at the annual VFW Connecticut State Convention held on Saturday June 8 in Rocky Hill, Ambassador Girl Scout Grace Collins of Brookfield Troop 50897 was named by the Office of the VFW State Commander as the first place winner of the Connecticut VFW Scout of the Year award. The competition was open to all of Connecticut’s VFW Posts. The field was then narrowed down to a representative from each of the 6 VFW Districts in the State. Collins representing the First District was one of six finalists, the other being Eagle Boy Scouts representing the other 5 Districts. Grace’s name was initially submitted in the competition by the Brookfield Jason D. Lewis Memorial Post VFW 10201 after being selected as the Brookfield Scout of the Year. Her major accomplishment that led to receiving the Gold Award, the most prestigious of all Girl Scout honors, cited her work initiating Mental Health wellness and awareness programs at Brookfield High School as well as Whisconier Middle School and Huckleberry Elementary School. At the High School and Middle School she arranged for Mental Health Professionals and Inspirational speakers who overcame addictions and depression to speak to over 1,000 students. Many who listened subsequently shared their own concerns with school counselors. One mother said Grace’s program saved her son’s life who was contemplating suicide. Grace was given an inscribed plaque recognizing her selection as the 2019 Connecticut VFW Scout of the Year, as well as a First Place Scholarship amount for $300.00. Her name has been forwarded along with her Scouting accomplishments to the National VFW Headquarters in Kansas City where she will compete with Scout of the Year recipients from other States. The scholarships for the National winners range from $5000.00 for the first place, to $3000.00 for second place and 1000.00 for the third place winner. That determination will be made before July 1, 2019