Lee County resident and North Fort Myers High School graduate Maegan Mikkelson has earned Girl Scouting’s highest honor – the Gold Award – with her project titled, Butterfly Aviary Renovation.

Appreciating the environmental benefits of butterflies, Mikkelson couldn’t help but take action when she heard the butterfly aviary at the Calusa Nature Center was in a state of disrepair due to lack of funds and damage from Hurricane Irma. Not only did Mikkelson carefully research and build a sustainable butterfly garden, she implemented a weekly educational program for youth visitors to learn why butterflies are so crucial for natural pest control and pollination.

“I am happy that I have found a passion in something that can benefit others and our local communities through my Girl Scout Gold Award journey,” Mikkelson shared.

The Girl Scout Gold Award, open to high school Girl Scouts, recognizes girls who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through take-action projects with sustainable impact in their communities. The Gold Award is so prestigious that some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award Girl Scouts, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements.

Congratulations, Maegan!

Lee County resident and Florida SouthWestern Collegiate High School graduate Katelyn Marchetti has earned Girl Scouting’s highest honor – the Gold Award – with her project titled, Happehatchee Community Stage.

After seeing the community stage at the Happehatchee Center in Estero had rotted and become unfit for use, Marchetti brainstormed a plan to replace the stage and revitalize the surrounding outdoor classroom. Her contribution to the center will provide a lasting space for many to learn about Florida’s native plants and animals, while encouraging the preservation of green spaces in our rapidly developing world.

Marchetti reflected, “This project taught me that sometimes you have to keep working, even when you are tired, to get the job done. I’ve learned that I can do anything I put my mind to.”

The Girl Scout Gold Award, open to high school Girl Scouts, recognizes girls who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through take-action projects with sustainable impact in their communities. The Gold Award is so prestigious that some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award Girl Scouts, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements.

Congratulations, Katelyn!

Charlotte County resident and Florida SouthWestern Collegiate High School graduate Anne LeVasseur has earned Girl Scouting’s highest honor – the Gold Award – with her project titled, Good Night, All.

Compelled to provide foster children with a sense of ownership and comfort, LeVasseur partnered with local churches, clubs, and businesses to organize and collect hundreds of pajamas to help foster children have a good night’s sleep. LeVasseur also hosted a tour of speaking engagements where she encouraged volunteers to consider representing foster children’s best interests in court through the Guardian ad Litem Program.

“It is important to me to help those in need and to work to make my community a better place. I know my project has made a difference in the lives of children,” explained LeVasseur.

The Girl Scout Gold Award, open to high school Girl Scouts, recognizes girls who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through take-action projects with sustainable impact in their communities. The Gold Award is so prestigious that some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award Girl Scouts, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements.

Congratulations, Anne!

Manatee County resident and Manatee High School graduate Olivia Lake has earned Girl Scouting’s highest honor – the Gold Award – with her project titled, Passion through Fashion.

Concerned with societal pressures from the fashion and beauty industries on young women and girls, Lake hosted an educational workshop with three influential female speakers. She also organized an online pledge encouraging people to proclaim their self-love. Through Lake’s passion for fashion, she has inspired future generations to feel comfortable in their own skin.

“Because of this project, I discovered a stronger sense of self.” Lake realized. “I learned even more about my desire to help the young women of my generation.”

The Girl Scout Gold Award, open to high school Girl Scouts, recognizes girls who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through take-action projects with sustainable impact in their communities. The Gold Award is so prestigious that some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award Girl Scouts, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements.

Congratulations, Olivia!

Collier County resident and Naples High School graduate Emily Hugan has earned Girl Scouting’s highest honor – the Gold Award – with her project titled, Sisters in STEM.

Passionate about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), but disappointed in the lack of female representation in the field, Hugan was determined to encourage and educate younger girls about STEM opportunities. She hosted a workshop with interactive engineering, chemistry, and filmography stations. To reinforce her event, Hugan created a podcast targeted to girls that highlights influential female figures in STEM throughout history.

“I now know that the purpose of being a leader is not for the betterment of yourself, but the betterment of others,” shared Hugan.

The Girl Scout Gold Award, open to high school Girl Scouts, recognizes girls who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through take-action projects with sustainable impact in their communities. The Gold Award is so prestigious that some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award Girl Scouts, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements.

Congratulations, Emily!

Sarasota County resident and Venice High School graduate Bekah Horsley earned Girl Scouting’s highest honor – the Gold Award – with her project titled, Goals for Grenada.

Horsley has been playing soccer since age four. As she matured, she realized that not all kids have the opportunity to play. Horsley took her passion for the sport to the poorest community in Grenada and hosted a soccer camp for the local children. She brought balls, shin guards, socks, goals, and even custom shirts for 50 children. In spite of cultural differences, Horsley was able to connect with the children through their shared love for the international sport.

Horsley realized, “Because of this project, I learned what true joy is. Joy and happiness do not come from material items. Joy comes from community, human connection, and simplicity.”

The Girl Scout Gold Award, open to high school Girl Scouts, recognizes girls who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through take-action projects with sustainable impact in their communities. The Gold Award is so prestigious that some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award Girl Scouts, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements.

Congratulations, Bekah!

Sarasota County resident and Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School student Faith Holliday earned Girl Scouting’s highest honor – the Gold Award – with her project titled, Donte’s Den Agility Course.

Holliday, a canine enthusiast, understands how important it is for dogs to have daily exercise to be healthy. She teamed up with Donte’s Den, an organization that cares for dogs separated from their families, to construct an outdoor agility course. The course, built with donated supplies, includes a teeter-totter to cross, hurdles to jump, and poles to weave through. Holliday’s new furry friends are having a doggone good time!

“Because of this project, I discovered I can lead a group and make a work environment fun and positive,” Holliday said. “I was also able to improve my time management skills.”

The Girl Scout Gold Award, open to high school Girl Scouts, recognizes girls who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through take-action projects with sustainable impact in their communities. The Gold Award is so prestigious that some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award Girl Scouts, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements.

Congratulations, Faith!

Sarasota County resident and Sarasota High School graduate Devon Chiodo has earned Girl Scouting’s highest honor – the Gold Award – with her project titled, Paws Matter.

As a volunteer at Cat Depot, Chiodo learned the organization is strongly against declawing. This sparked her interest to investigate the pros and cons of cat declawing and create a documentary with interviews from local veterinarians and cat owners. Chiodo wants to educate the public on why cat declawing is often dangerous to the cat’s health, mobility, and overall happiness. Since cats cannot speak up for themselves, Chiodo hopes her voice will be loud enough to make a difference.

Chiodo noted, “My Gold Award project helped me gain more confidence with public speaking and communicating to others directly.”

The Girl Scout Gold Award, open to high school Girl Scouts, recognizes girls who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through take-action projects with sustainable impact in their communities. The Gold Award is so prestigious that some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award Girl Scouts, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements.

Congratulations, Devon!

Though it was more than 18 months ago, the last Giving Challenge is still fresh in our memories at Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida. Presented by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County with giving strengthened by The Patterson Foundation, the Giving Challenge is a 24-hour whirlwind of inspiring stories, themed events, and an outpouring of community financial support for nonprofits across the area. Special giving incentives and bonus prizes help fuel the fire. The next Giving Challenge will be from noon-noon May 1-2. Make a note on your calendar, and read on to learn more!

We are so proud of how our generous donors, both existing and new, came together in 2016 to show their support for girls in our communities. Between our nonprofit partnership, the fun events, increased community awareness, and winning extra prizes, we’re still celebrating! We were truly blessed to not only receive generous donations from so many individuals, but additional prize money in several categories, including Best Overall Campaign, Best Nonprofit Partnership, Manatee Millennial Challenge Campaign, and 2015 Giving Challenge Story. Funds raised through the 2016 Giving Challenge, pooled with donations and grants received throughout the year, supported the development and implementation of a variety of programs, as well as program scholarships for girls facing financial barriers.

But the Giving Challenge is about so much more than money. Our partnership with Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County resulted in a successful community diaper drive and special event (called “Be the One-sie”), bringing together Girl Scouts and Healthy Start client families for a fun evening of games, activities, food, music, and friendship. As a result, Girl Scouts of all ages learned how they can be the one who helps support healthy moms and babies. Many moms saw first-hand the powerful impact of Girl Scouting. We can’t wait for their “future Girl Scouts” to join when they enter kindergarten!

It will be hard for us to top the 2016 Giving Challenge, but we have some exciting ideas in the works. Through our 2018 partnership with the Library Foundation for Sarasota County, we will promote philanthropy and the joy of reading with a community-wide children’s book drive, to culminate with a free event, “Campfire Stories,” at Girl Scouts headquarters. What a perfect chance to illustrate how everyone from preschoolers to retirees can come together to celebrate giving, reading, and the importance of working together for the greater good! Anyone can be the one!

Throughout our Giving Challenge campaign, we will tell the story of how Girl Scouting unleashes the G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, and Leader)^TM in every girl, and how a donation to Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida is an investment in the future of our community, and the world. And with The Patterson Foundation’s 1:1 match for all unique donations, up to $100 per donor, your giving impact can be DOUBLED! This match is only valid if you give during the challenge, through the Giving Challenge website, givingpartnerchallenge.org.

Make a note on your calendar: from noon-noon May 1-2, the challenge is on. Be the one who supports the best leadership development program for girls in the world – Girl Scouts!