When Mastic Beach Girl Scout Diana Hubschman calmly called 911 and cared for her grandfather while her mother suffered a seizure, her quick thinking saved a life. Now honored with Girl Scouts' Medal of Honor, she continues leading by example through her Gold Award project and community service.
Can you walk us through what happened the day you saved your mother's life? What was going through your mind at that moment?
It happened after I came home from school one day in January. My main concern was my grandfather because he just had a quadruple heart bypass, but once I saw my mom I noticed that she was unwell. I told my mom to go lay down when she fell and began having a seizure. I've always known what to do when she had a seizure because I've grown up around it my whole life. This time she wasn't coming out of it, so I knew I had to call 911. I found someone to help my grandpa because he couldn't be left alone and went to the hospital with my mom. Looking back on it, the only thing going through my head was that I needed to keep both my mom and my grandpa safe.
How did it feel to be awarded the Medal of Honor?
It feels so unreal to have been awarded the medal of honor because this is what I've always had to do, but as Girl Scout, it feels like an opportunity to to help educate other girls on what to do in a medical emergency.
What inspired your Gold Award project, and how do you hope it will impact your community once it's complete?
My Gold Award project was inspired by the Mastic Beach Ambulance Company. Every time I was having one of the worst days of my life, they ended up being there and helping us with the issue that day. I want to make a room so when they are having the worst day of their lives, they are able to go relax and recuperate.
What drives your passion to give back, and which community service projects have been the most meaningful to you?
My passion to give back is driven by the thought that others don't have a roof over their heads, hot food at dinner or a support system at home. My favorite community service project was when I got to read to kids in my area showing them the magic of books.
What would you tell younger Girl Scouts or other young people who want to make a difference in their communities the way you have?
When you see someone in need help them, don't have the mind set that someone else will do it because most of the time they won't. Take the first set and it'll make a difference, even if you don't see it.
LongIslandPress.com, October 2025 Issue. Read it online here (page 66)