Ross teen wins Pennsylvania VFW's 'Scout of the Year' award

Hannah Sciulli of Ross had no illusions about coming out on top when she submitted an application for the VFW’s Scout of the Year award.

“The award is open to Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, so I know there were a lot of applications submitted,” said Sciulli, 17, who will be a senior at North Hills High School this year. “It was a real surprise when I found I was selected. It’s an honor to be recognized for what I’ve been able to do in Scouting.”

Sciulli will receive a trophy and $1,000 cash prize from the VFW Department of Pennsylvania during an award ceremony scheduled for Sept. 24 at the Thompson Run Athletic Association in West Mifflin.

The VFW Post in West Mifflin also is expected to award Sciulli a cash prize for her achievements.

“As a mother and a veteran who is active in volunteering and helping others, I was very pleased with Hannah’s selection by the state VFW,” said VFW District 29 commander Jessica King, a Marine and veteran of the Iraq War. “Her spirit of giving back to her community is a large part of what the VFW is about.”

King will present the awards to Sciulli at the ceremony.

Sciulli said while community service is among the requirements to advance through Scouting, it also is the source of great personal satisfaction and enjoyment.

“I put a lot of time and work into Scouting and feel like I was able to help a lot of people,” she said. “I really enjoy giving back to my community, and Girl Scouting has been a great opportunity to do that.”

Last year Sciulli earned a Gold Award — the highest achievement in Girl Scouting — for a project that focused on raising awareness about cat overpopulation.

Her project involved leading a class at Animal Friends, hosting a donation drive at the library, helping at adoption events, making recyclable cat toys and mapping feral cats.

Sciulli also serves as a student representative on the North Hills School Board, is on the high school golf team and volunteers with the high school’s environmental club and Hands for Service organization. She hopes to study aerospace engineering in college.

Sciulli is the daughter of Mario Sciulli and Renee Catanzaro.