Diversity fair helps teen pursue Girl Scout award Senior Girl Scout Victoria Hu, 16, of Freehold Township, hosted a diversity fair, "Let's All Celebrate Our Diversity!" March 8 at the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore Program Activity Center in Howell. Victoria's goal was to encourage individuals and groups to gain a greater understanding and appreciation of each other. The event was part of Victoria's Girl Scout Gold Award project. The Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting, recognizes the leadership, effort and impact that girls have on their communities. It requires a Scout to learn the leadership and planning skills that are necessary to follow through on a project that makes a positive impact on her community. Working toward this award demonstrates a girl's commitment to help others, to improve her community and world, and to become the best she can be. In commenting on her project, Victoria said, "Diversity is very important in our lives. In a world of differences, we realize that religion, heritage and culture are what make every person unique. No one is perfect or the same. Valuing diversity contributes significantly to fostering a more complete and productive environment. Valuing diversity should be a priority with a goal to maximize the impact we make in our community - a community built upon the diverse talents, cultures and perspectives. Diversity provides a broader and richer environment for creative thinking and innovation." The diversity fair included a keynote speaker,Wayne Boatwright, the vice president of cultural diversity at Meridian Health, Neptune. He spoke about the importance of diversity and the health care industry. Boatwright has more than 15 years of experience partnering with senior management in ensuring the most productive use of human assets. He was recently appointed to the Monmouth County Human Relations Commission. Following Boatwright's presentation, participants were able to visit several diversity stations where they could learn about customs, cultures and different countries. Human resources leaders from Freehold Township and from Brookdale Community College also participated. Victoria created a diversity brochure which profiled more than 30 cultures and countries from all over the world. In addition to the brochure, she set up a "Diversity Fun" table, where participants could work on several diversity games and puzzles (crosswords, word searches, mazes and cryptograms), all originally created by Victoria. Guests were able to learn how to say "hello" in 21 languages. Admission to the diversity fair was nonperishable food items which were donated to the Open Door Food Pantry in Freehold. Original puzzles about diversity were also provided to Open Door's afterschool program so students could learn more about it. Victoria is a Senior Girl Scout from Freehold Girl Scout Troop 765. She has been actively involved in scouting for more than 10 years. She is a junior in the Freehold Regional High School District's Computer Science Academy at Freehold High School, Freehold Borough. She is junior editor for the school newspaper. Victoria plays the flute and the piano, is active in her church and hopes to pursue a career in business management.