MONROE, Conn. — Rexford Hall was filled with excitement, cheers, and the whir of miniature wheels on Saturday, Jan. 17, as local Girl Scouts gathered for the annual Girl Scout Pinewood Derby. Hosted jointly by Monroe Girl Scout Troop 34001 and Scout Pack 262, the event brought together creativity, friendly competition and community spirit.
This year’s derby saw 38 Girl Scouts participate, ranging from Daisy to Cadette levels, marking an increase in attendance compared to last year. The strong turnout highlighted the growing enthusiasm for the event and the dedication of the scouts who worked hard preparing their cars.
Before racing began, each car underwent a weigh-in and inspection to ensure full compliance with derby rules. Once approved, the cars were entered into competition, where each one raced six times down the track. To determine the winners fairly, officials calculated the average of each car’s top five race times, ensuring consistency and performance were rewarded.
Every heat was met with loud cheering and merriment from scouts, families, and volunteers alike. The atmosphere was electric as cars sped down the track, some by fractions of a second. Beyond speed, the derby was also a showcase of imagination and craftsmanship. Many cars featured excellent paint designs and were adorned with characters from popular movies and television shows, reflecting the personalities and creativity of their young designers.
The coveted Fastest Car Award was claimed by Girl Scout Cadette Mikaela Nealon, whose car, aptly named The Tsunami, consistently posted impressive times throughout the competition.
In addition to speed-based honors, several special awards were presented to recognize creativity and fun. These included Most Unique, Best Paint Job, Most Creative, and the always-popular Turtle Award, given to the slowest-finishing car, which was celebrated with just as much enthusiasm as the fastest.
The success of the event was made possible through the hard work and support of many dedicated volunteers. Special thanks were extended to the McAndrew Family for hosting a car cutting day, which helped scouts bring their designs to life. Appreciation was also given to Samantha McGoldrick and Alyson Connole, co-leaders of Troop 34001, for their organization and leadership in coordinating the derby.
Other winners include:
2026 Turtle Award – Akshara Narla
2026 Fastest Derby Car – Mikaela Nealon
(Honorable mention: 2nd fastest – Hailey Osbone, 3rd fastest – Lucina Manganiello
2026 Best Paint Job – Coraline Geden
2026 Most Creative – Chloe Capra
2026 Most Unique – Ellie Piddington
The Girl Scout Pinewood Derby once again proved to be more than just a race — it was a celebration of teamwork, creativity, and community, leaving participants and spectators already looking forward to next year’s event.
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