Klipfel honored with Girl Scout Gold Award

Nora Klipfel, a North Tonawanda student, was recently awarded the Girl Scout Gold Award.  

The award is recognized as one of the world’s most prestigious youth achievements. Klipfel, who is an Ambassador Girl Scout in Troop 30782 of North Tonawanda, earned her award for her project “Happy Caps for Children.” The project helps children who need surgery.  

“I decided to do the project because I hope to work in a field that helps children,” Klipfel said. 

Klipfel takes the early childhood education program at Orleans/Niagara BOCES’ Niagara Career and Technical Education Center, and volunteers with a special education K-1 class at Meadow Elementary in the North Tonawanda School District.  

“I am inspired to help young children,” she said. “I had surgery to have my tonsils and adenoids out as a child, so I have first-hand experience of being in a hospital as a patient. I plan to make the general public aware that children do need surgeries, they need positive enforcements to make them more comfortable in a hospital/surgical setting. My thought is that little things, like picking out a fun surgical cap can make a positive impact on a child.” 

Klipfel’s early childhood education teacher Laura Koeppel said, “Nora is a very dedicated and hardworking student. Our preschoolers love her!”  

Niagara Career and Technical student academic support teacher Donna Quinn added, “Nora is a delight to work with. She has great energy, plus enthusiasm and sees importance in the course she has selected. She is a hard worker and therefore she has been successful.”