LIVERPOOL — A local Cadette-level Girl Scout recently received Girl Scouts of the USA’s National Medal of Honor for valiant efforts.

Isabel “Izzy” Fingerman, 13, of Liverpool, is a member of Troop 10520 and Service Unit 101. She is the daughter of Jason and Lisa Fingerman and the sister of Nate Fingerman, all of Liverpool.

Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways CEO Julie Dale presented the Medal of Honor pin to Izzy on May 22 at the beginning of the troop’s Bridging Ceremony (moving from one Girl Scout grade level to another). The ceremony was held at GSNYPENN’s Cicero Service Center located on Thompson Road.

The Medal of Honor is one of the highest national honors Girl Scouts can bestow. It is given to a girl who displays a heroic act beyond her degree of maturity and training for saving life or attempting to save life without risk to the Girl Scout’s own. In May 2020, then-12-year-old Izzy showed her commitment to being resourceful, skilled and competent in saving a life. Her quick thinking saved her 4-year-old cousin, Gemma Castle, from a potential drowning in the Seneca River.

Last May, Izzy, her brother Nate, cousin Gemma and aunt Rosella (Elley) Castle were accessing the river via a boat launch. Elley and Gemma held hands and attempted to dip their feet in the river when both slipped on wet concrete and fell, her aunt cutting her foot on rocks and leaving her unable to attend to the children and scene. Knowing her cousin Gemma could not swim, Izzy instinctively jumped into the river, submerging herself up to her ribs to keep Gemma’s head above water and ensuring she was not swept away by the current. Izzy kept Gemma calm and helped her out of the water safely, enduring scraped knees and elbows along the way.

“Izzy showed presence of mind and true Girl Scout spirit in an emergency. I’m proud of the courage, confidence and character she displayed,” says Julie Dale, GSNYPENN CEO. “Her heroism and sound judgment exemplifies all we hope to instill in our Girl Scouts. Izzy is a living testament to the highest principles of our promise and law.”

In a letter to Izzy, GSUSA Interim Chief Executive Officer Judith Batty wrote: “As our founder, Juliette Gordon Low, once said: ‘Scouting rises within you and inspires you to put forth your best.’ You are proof of the virtue and truth of Juliette’s words, and I know that she would be as proud of and inspired by you as I am.”

Since 1913, Girl Scouts have been honored for meritorious deeds that help save lives. Lifesaving Awards the Bronze Cross and the Medal of Honor are national honors given to a registered Girl Scout who has saved or attempted to save human life under circumstances that indicate heroism or risk to her own. The awards are reserved for Girl Scouts who have performed acts of heroism beyond the degree of maturity and training expected for their age.

Training in health and safety is part of the Girl Scout leadership experience. Because of the promise and law to which she subscribes, a Girl Scout is expected to be resourceful, skilled, and competent; to have presence of mind; and to be of service to others. Each situation has unique factors, and many things are taken into consideration in determining if an act is of unusual bravery beyond that which is expected of a Girl Scout. Completed award applications that meet all requirements are submitted from the local council to GSUSA for consideration and approval.

–Submitted by Jaime Alvarez, Senior Director of Marketing & Communications, GSNYPENN