Our annual Awards of Distinction event, held this year on May 14, 2025, at the Carnegie Science Center, celebrates women who exemplify excellence in leadership throughout our council’s region, as well as the accomplishments of two Gold Award Girl Scouts who received the honors of Girl Scout Humanitarian and Girl Scout of Distinction.
Gold Award Girl Scout Nickjay Saini, a high school senior at Peters Township High School, accepted the award for the 2025 Girl Scout of Distinction for her project: STEM for All.
Nickjay taught science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts to children ranging from first to seventh grade. Her goal was to enhance STEM awareness in communities that have historically been underserved. She partnered with the University of Pittsburgh’s community engagement centers at two locations in the Hill District to offer classes for children during the fall and spring semesters.
With the support of her FIRST Robotics Competition team, Girls of Steel, Nickjay used LEGO blocks and the FIRST LEGO League curriculum to create an engaging and fun learning experience while introducing students to key engineering principles. Her classes allowed students to dive into the concepts of simple machines, such as gears and pulleys, and robotics. Through her dedication, Nickjay left a lasting impact on each student, inspiring them to pursue further STEM opportunities.
Even after completing her Gold Award project, she continues to devote her time to teaching children STEM. She is planning to attend the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign with a major in computer engineering.
“This project was a one-of-a-kind experience that opened up opportunities for me to grow as a person. I developed leadership skills that serve me well in everyday life.” —Nickjay Saini
Gold Award Girl Scout Katie Jankowski, a graduate of Canon-McMillan High School, accepted the award for the 2025 Girl Scout Humanitarian for her project: Paws for a Cause with Rosey.
Katie designed a three-fold pamphlet and “Service Dogs welcome” window clings to be displayed in business windows all over Canonsburg and surrounding areas. She visited and talked to the local businesses to spread awareness and to help educate on service dog access issues that handlers are facing in today’s society.
At a young age, Katie was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and had a very difficult time in school and being out in her community. With these struggles, Katie asked her parents for a service dog, and with some research and lots of training, a German Shepherd dog named Rosey became a part of her world.
Little did Katie know how challenging getting a service dog into public places would be, how much the public was unaware of the Americans with Disability Act, and the access issues she and her service dog would face throughout her daily life. However, Katie found the strength inside her through her service dog to face the world with a different perspective, knowing that Rosey would always be there to get her through her life with ASD.
Girl Scouts was one of the first places that Katie felt her service dog could go and they were finally accepted. The leadership and responsibility Katie learned through Girl Scouts will never be replaced.
Katie has always had a love for giving back, including completing over six hundred volunteer hours a year since she was six years old. She has received many Presidential Awards, as well as many volunteer awards. Along with her Girl Scout Gold Award, she has also earned her Bronze Award and her Silver Award through Girl Scouts. Katie has been a member of the National Honor Society and president of her 4-H Club. She also served on the Junior Fair Board for Washington County. She is an active member in her 4-H Club where she mentors young children, and remains very active with Girl Scouts, where she is now a volunteer, passing on her skills to the next generation. Currently, Katie is working toward a degree in criminal justice with a minor in psychology at PennWest California University. She hopes to one day earn her master’s degree and work as a probation officer with a K-9.
“Life growing up with autism was not easy, but being a Girl Scout brought some of my fondest memories. As I look into my future, I hope to make many more memories as a lifetime member. Girl Scouts has helped me be resilient, fearless, and a good role model. Being a Girl Scout for over thirteen years has also taught me so many core principles, such as honesty, compassion, fairness, and respect for others as well as myself. Girl Scouts also taught me to be a strong leader and to love myself for who I am.” —Katie Jankowski
We were honored to celebrate these outstanding Gold Award Girl Scouts along with our 2025 Women of Distinction honorees. Congratulations on your achievements, Nickjay and Katie!
For more information about this year’s event and honorees, please visit gswpa.org/aod.
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