Alex Murdocca honored as "Girl Scout of the Year"

Our very own Alex Murdocca was recognized as the Freemason's "Girl Scout of the Year." Congratulations Alex! She was one of the co-founders of the Liberty Key Club.

The following story appeared on APP.com:

The Freemason's Grand Lodge of New Jersey has named Alexandra Murdocca its Girl Scout of the Year. The Jackson resident was chosen for this statewide honor because she lives the Girl Scout mission daily as a girl with courage, confidence and character.

“Alexandra is an outstanding choice because she is always looking to help others through Girl Scouts and her other extracurricular activities,” said Berenbroick. “She clearly is a role model for all youth, especially younger girls.”

Murdocca recently put the leadership skills she learned during her 13 years as a Girl Scout into practice through the implementation and completion of her Gold Award project “Supporting Our Veterans.” She collected sleeping bags and clothing for homeless veterans; created a You Tube video about the needs of veterans, and worked with younger Girl Scout troops to make approximately 1,000 thank you cards which she then distributed to local veterans.

“Through your dedication to the Girl Scouts, you were able to go ‘above and beyond' and bring some relief to homeless vets who often go unnoticed,” wrote Michael Kafton, Jackson Township Council president in a commendation letter. “Congratulations for your accomplishments and all the good that you have brought to these very needy people.”

“Alexandra looked in her community and her heart to see what action was needed,” added Jenny Cody, senior director of program. “She saw the veterans suffering and she took action to help them in every way she could and raised awareness of their plight.”

Because of her life-long dedication to Girl Scouts, Murdocca was chosen to serve as a girl representative to the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore's board of directors, which represents the 16,000 girl members of the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore.

“I always ask the girl representatives to take part in various aspects of board meetings with little notice,” said JoAnn McCann, president of the Board of Directors. “Alexandra is confident and steps right up to the task; she has an understanding of the democratic process in Girl Scouts and has been an outstanding representative of the council.”

Murdocca says confidence and independence are the two most importing things she's discovered as a Girl Scout. With those skills, she has learned to be herself and has the courage to stand up for what she believes in. She believes these skills prepared her well for college.

Murdocca began classes at Ocean County College in January after graduating a semester early from Jackson Liberty High School. She plans to major in political science and attend law school.

During high school, she was a charter Key Club member and served as the group's president, organizing fundraisers that benefiting organizations such as Children's Specialized Hospital and the Red Cloud Indian Reservation in South Dakota. She also served her classmates as freshman class president and organized school fundraisers and helped organize a group to create a mural.