MAPLEWOOD, NJ — October 18, 2018 – Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey honored Sonia Zenobi, 10, with the Medal of Honor — a Lifesaving Award given by Girl Scouts of the United States of America — for saving her mother’s life. The Medal of Honor is given to a Girl Scout who has saved or attempted to save a human life under circumstances that indicate heroism without risk to her own life.
Early one morning in January, Sonia’s mom, Elizabeth, experienced a medical crisis at their family home in Maplewood. She was shaking, was unable to communicate and was beginning to lose consciousness.
Cleo, Sonia’s little sister, began crying and Sonia, age 9 at the time, ran upstairs and immediately called 9-1-1 from the landline.
Being a true Girl Scout, now with the rank of Junior, Sonia spoke calmly with the emergency dispatcher while trying to care for her traumatized sister and comfort her ailing mother.
When the emergency responders arrived minutes later, Sonia led them to her mom and then to the medicine cabinet. She showed the EMTs all the medications and described her mother’s symptoms.
Medical personnel were able to diagnose a stroke and a seizure based on the facts that Sonia provided, adding that if the Girl Scout did not act as quickly, her mother could have died. After being in the hospital for more than a week, Elizabeth has made a full recovery.
Nancy Cook and Sandra Kopytek, who are Sonia’s troop leaders, along with several mothers in the close community, were convinced that Sonia’s heroism in such a dire situation deserved recognition. Two first responders from the Maplewood Fire Department, Sonia’s mother and Sonia all wrote to the Girl Scouts of the USA about the experience.
In July, GSHNJ was notified that Sonia was to be honored. Cook received the notification and she along with Kopytek decided that Sonia’s prestigious award should be presented at Town Hall in Maplewood.
GSHNJ representatives Michael Forrestall and Tara Faquir presented Sonia with the letter and pin from GSUSA.
“Sonia is a shining example of courage, resourcefulness and leadership,” Forrestall said. “She called upon her experience as a Girl Scout to save her mother’s life. It is an inspiring story for all of us.”
Maplewood Mayor Victor DeLuca, Committeeman Dean Dafis and a host of friends along with the girl’s troop council and members, were present at the ceremony.
“I am so proud of Sonia, she is an amazing young lady,” DeLuca said. “We live in a wonderful town, with great resources and a caring community, and we are happy to be here to honor her.”
“As her leader, we earned the first aid badge as a Brownie, and one of the key components was always to call 9-1-1 in an emergency,” Cook said. “I am so happy and relieved that she was able to use the skills she was taught.”
Kopytek further added, “Sonia is sweet and caring, with great family values and close community ties. She is a well-rounded young lady, who demonstrated great leadership skills, and we are so proud of her.”
“I am so grateful to my daughter and the way she conducted herself,” Elizabeth said. “She immediately became the adult in the situation, and as a result of her quick response I am here today to celebrate her.”
Photos Courtesy of GSHNJ
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