Teen Awarded Gina Rose Montalto Memorial Scholarship for Women’s Health Project - Parkland Talk

Tony and Jennifer Montalto, Lauren Rinella, and GSSEF Lisa Johnson. {GSSEF}
Lauren Rinella of Cooper City has been named the 2025 recipient of the Gina Rose Montalto Memorial Scholarship, an honor that celebrates the life and legacy of a young woman whose passion for Girl Scouting and service continues to inspire years after her tragic passing.
Presented annually by the Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida (GSSEF), the $2,500 scholarship was created in 2019 by Tony and Jennifer Montalto to honor their daughter Gina, a lifelong Girl Scout who was among the 17 victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland.
Though Gina’s own journey toward the prestigious Gold Award was never realized, the scholarship bearing her name ensures that other young women can continue what she started—making a meaningful difference in their communities.

Rinella, a Gold Award Girl Scout, earned the scholarship for her project, “BeYOUtifully Aware: Women’s Health and Cancer Prevention,” which focuses on educating young women about the importance of self-advocacy and early detection through routine screenings. This fall, she will attend Broward College, where she plans to continue advocating for women’s health and empowering others with education.
The Gina Rose Montalto Memorial Scholarship was one of eight awarded during GSSEF’s annual Gold Award Ceremony, held at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. In total, more than $18,500 in scholarship funds were distributed to outstanding Girl Scouts pursuing higher education.
To learn more about the Gina Montalto Foundation or Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida’s scholarship programs, visit www.gssef.org.
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Sharon Aron Baron

Sharon Aron Baron is a Parkland resident and editor of Talk Media. She has been covering Parkland news since 2012. Parkland Talk was created to provide News, Views, and Entertainment for the residents of Parkland.