Gold Awards Handed Out at Girl Scout Ceremony

On June 5, 19 Girl Scouts in west central Florida received their Girl Scout Gold Awards - the highest achievement in Girl Scouting - at a recognition event at the Doubletree Hotel Tampa Westshore Airport.

According to a press release from the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, the Girl Scout Gold Award is the culmination of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, and the three keys to leadership: discover, connect and take action. The award recognizes outstanding accomplishments in the areas of leadership, sustainable community service, career planning and personal development. A Girl Scout must be in at least ninth grade and successfully complete requirements before she begins working on her Gold Award project.

This year’s Girl Scout Gold Award recipients completed projects focused on a variety of community issues that will have a lasting impact, including developing an after-school art enrichment program for elementary school students; repairing the grounds at local churches, parks, camps and organizations; educating youth about healthy cooking and eating habits; providing displaced families with clothing needs; and more.

Those receiving their Gold Awards were Alexis Aldamuy, Carolyn Ballard, Kelsey Bly, Kristin Bramlet, Meagan Carlson, Morgan Casselton, Emily Craven, Shelby Dale, Kathryn Dorn, Margaret Goscinski, Sarah Kiesow, Rachael Landes, Kimberly Manning, Heather Mooren, Kathleen O’Leary, Lauren Piehl, Jessica Rosenblum, Devin Watson and Michelle Wherley.

In addition to the 2011 Gold Award recipients, Anjali Modi and Mollie Schick, both of Tampa, received Girl Scouts of West Central Florida scholarships for their outstanding accomplishments in Girl Scouting, contributions to their local communities and their future aspirations following high school graduation. Modi received her Gold Award in 2010; Schick in 2009.