May « 2015 « Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc.

Gold Award Project: Books and Bears for Literacy

Sydney is a Junior at Suncoast Polytechnical High School. She has been in Girl Scouts since she was five years old. Her project focuses on encouraging preschool aged children to love books at an early age in order to improve literacy. Her original goal was to collect 500 books for children but then she included 500 bears so each child could have a “reading buddy.” In the end she collected 1,000 new bears and 1,400 new books to distribute to area preschool children.

Sydney said, “Literacy is a world need, but the awareness begins in each of our own communities. Getting businesses, family members, and each of us personally committed to making literacy a goal for young children will allow us to ensure that we all do our part to promote the love for reading and future success of each child.”

“Girl Scout Gold Award recipient Sydney’s “Take Action” project will make a measurable and sustainable difference in our community. Her positive attitude, teamwork, and commitment to service defines Sydney as an inspiring leader and role model,” states Sue Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is so prestigious that some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award recipients, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements.Congratulations Sydney!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Gold Award Project: Hygiene for Haiti

See the Video Interview here: https://youtu.be/1xuVFJ9HdoQ

Regine, is a Senior at Immokalee High School who is dual enrolled at Florida Gulf Coast University. She has been in Girl Scouts for six years, is a part of the Beta Club, she runs cross country and track, she tutors elementary aged students after school at the Guadalupe Center.

Regine found that in her home county of Haiti, severe sanitation conditions are causing illness and death to adults and the youth. She worked with nonprofit Hope for Haiti, and other youth organizations to put together 150 hygiene kits to send to Haiti. As a community advocate, Regine states, “As the project leader, I realized my growth when other people were looking up to me to find inspiration in my actions. I know in my core that nothing is impossible. It is possible for an 18 year old girl to convince others to work together to make a positive impact and to change the world.”

YWOD 2015 085 “Girl Scout Gold Award recipient Regine’s “Take Action” project will make a measurable and sustainable difference in our community. Her positive attitude, teamwork, and commitment to service defines Regine as an inspiring leader and role model,” states Sue Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc.