Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida is proud to announce that Olivia Trader, a Girl Scout of 13 years, has successfully earned the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award. Olivia, a student at Canterbury School, completed her award-winning project titled “College Safety and Awareness: A Girl’s Guide to Choosing the Safest Campus,” aimed at addressing the safety concerns of young women entering college, particularly the risks of sexual assault.
In addition to earning the prestigious Gold Award, Olivia Trader is also a Bronze and Silver Award Girl Scout, showcasing her long-standing dedication to leadership and community service throughout her 13 years in Girl Scouts. She also currently serves as an Appointed Girl Representative on the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida Board of Directors.
The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest achievement in Girl Scouting, earned by fewer than six percent of Girl Scouts annually. It recognizes girls who demonstrate extraordinary leadership, vision, and community impact through a sustainable project. To earn this award, Girl Scouts must identify a problem in their community, develop a plan, and take action to create lasting solutions.
Olivia’s project was driven by her recognition of the gaps in safety awareness among young women heading to college. To tackle this issue, she focused on educating her peers about the importance of college campus safety. One of her key objectives was to raise awareness about the Clery Act, a federal law requiring colleges to disclose campus crime statistics. Olivia wrote a 5,000+ word research paper on the topic and presented her findings to her peers, empowering them to make informed decisions when choosing a college.
In addition to her research, Olivia developed a user-friendly website where students and families can access crime statistics, safety tips, and resources related to campus safety. To further support her initiative, she organized self-defense workshops at Canterbury School to equip students with practical safety skills. Olivia also created a council patch program for Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors, encouraging them to research campus safety and raise awareness within their communities.
Olivia’s leadership was evident throughout the project. She collaborated with school administrators, self-defense instructors, and local law enforcement, leading a team of advisors, students, and volunteers. Her efforts extended beyond her time at Canterbury School with the creation of the College Safety and Awareness Club, which will continue promoting safety education for future students.
Reflecting on her journey, Olivia shared how the project contributed to her growth as a leader. “I discovered a strong sense of purpose in advocacy. Engaging with the topic of college safety revealed how deeply I care about empowering students and families with the information they need to make informed decisions,” she said. Olivia also noted how the complexity of the project strengthened her leadership skills, stating, “I learned that I can remain calm under pressure and adapt my approach when faced with unexpected challenges, which has boosted my confidence in handling intricate projects.”
Through her dedication and leadership, Olivia has not only created lasting change in her community but has also emerged as a more confident and resourceful leader. Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida congratulates Olivia on her outstanding achievement and her commitment to making a meaningful impact on college safety awareness.
Harley Cross, a dedicated Girl Scout from the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, has earned the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award by creating a community food pantry in Arcadia to address food insecurity. This project represents the culmination of Harley’s ten years in Girl Scouts, marking her achievement as a Gold Award Girl Scout—a distinction that only 6% of eligible Girl Scouts achieve.
The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest honor a Girl Scout can earn, recognizing girls in grades 9-12 who demonstrate extraordinary leadership, take on sustainable community challenges, and create lasting change. Harley’s project is an inspiring example of this leadership, reflecting her commitment to making a positive impact in her community.
Over the course of her project, Harley engaged in activities such as planning, shopping for materials and food, constructing the pantry, and raising awareness about food insecurity. She collaborated with her family, Girl Scout leaders, and local law enforcement, as well as community organizations like DeSoto Cares Homeless Center and All Faiths Food Bank, to gather information and support. Despite facing challenges in obtaining responses from some organizations, Harley overcame these obstacles by relying on her problem-solving skills and the unwavering support of her immediate community.
The project was funded through a combination of Girl Scout cookie program proceeds, personal savings, and donations, totaling $680—an amount that covered all expenses. Demonstrating strong leadership, Harley managed the budget, coordinated construction, and promoted the pantry through social media and community presentations. The pantry is now a vital resource for local residents facing food insecurity, stocked with non-perishable food items and educational materials about food insecurity and employment resources.
Harley’s project will continue to benefit the Arcadia community long after her departure for college, as her family and the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office have committed to maintaining the pantry. This initiative not only meets immediate needs but also raises awareness about hunger within the community, creating a lasting impact.
Reflecting on her journey, Harley shared, “I learned that I am a better public speaker than I thought. I also learned to overcome not getting a response from people I thought would be happy to help with my project. I learned to rely only on myself, and that other assistance is just a welcome bonus.” This experience taught Harley valuable lessons in resilience, leadership, and adaptability.
In leading her project, Harley demonstrated exceptional leadership skills. She stated, “I led my project by listening to others and making decisions that would benefit the people using my pantry.” Her leadership involved raising awareness about food insecurity, coordinating volunteers, and overseeing all aspects of the pantry’s construction and stocking. This project allowed Harley to develop essential skills in project management, public speaking, budgeting, problem-solving, and community building.
Harley Cross, a recent graduate of DeSoto County High School, exemplifies the core values of Girl Scouting through her dedication to service, courage, and community problem-solving. As a Juliette, she has been an independent Girl Scout for 10 years and has now earned the most prestigious recognition available through the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida.
Harley will receive formal recognition for her Gold Award at the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida’s annual Young Women of Distinction Ceremony in May.
Dakota Partelow, a member of Girl Scout Troop 608 in Englewood, recently completed her Gold Award project. She transformed a room at Valerie House, a dedicated children’s grief center in Southwest Florida, into a comforting and welcoming space for children to play and cope with grief.
Dakota’s project began with the goal of providing a space for children at the Valerie House to express their emotions and cope with the challenges they face while grieving. She was inspired to complete her project after utilizing the services at Valerie House and recognizing that children could benefit from improved mental health and wellness if they had access to a more welcoming space.
“I reached my goal by restoring the room’s beauty by painting the room,” Dakota said. “The staff at the Valerie House were so stunned by the transformation that they had no words.”
Recognizing the therapeutic benefits of play in processing grief, Dakota also created designated play areas for the children with a rug for playing with cars. This space was designed to encourage a safe and comforting environment for them to express themselves. She gathered donated toys, books, and stuffed animals from her fellow troop members and added two comfortable bean bag chairs, which she purchased with funds raised by making and selling chocolate lollipops.
“I can do things that I didn’t believe I could do,” Dakota reflected on the completion of her project.
Despite facing learning differences that make communication a challenge, Dakota was able to overcome these obstacles with the support of her family, troop leaders, and sister Girl Scouts, demonstrating remarkable growth through her project.
Kathy Van Note, Dakota’s troop leader, witnessed Dakota’s progress firsthand. “Communication is a leadership skill. Dakota grew by being able to talk to people.” Van Note shared. “She also grew as a young woman and was starting to be able to talk with adults at the counseling center. She has a very hard time talking to people, but in the years that she has been with me, I am so proud of how well she is doing with her peers and adults. She was a delegate for our service unit. In the beginning, you did not hear a word from her, but this past year she started talking in front of all these adults.”
The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest honor a Girl Scout can earn. The award requires the completion of a sustainable project that addresses a community issue. The project requires over 80 hours of dedicated planning, research, and implementation and must demonstrate leadership and have a measurable, sustainable impact on the community. Through this achievement, girls build essential life skills such as leadership, problem-solving, and time management.
By taking on this project, Dakota has made a lasting impact on her community and developed valuable skills that will serve her throughout her life. Dakota’s project will continue to benefit the Valerie House as her sister has committed to regularly checking in and ensuring that the space remains welcoming for the children who visit.
Dakota will receive formal recognition for her Gold Award at the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida’s annual Young Women of Distinction Ceremony in May.
Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida proudly recognizes the six members of the 2024 Girl Scout Gold Award class who earned the highest award in Girl Scouting, the Gold Award.
“We are so proud to honor the remarkable achievements of our girls who have earned their Gold Award,” said Mary Anne Servian, CEO of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida. “Through their dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to making a difference, these young women have exemplified the true spirit of Girl Scouting. Their Gold Award projects not only leave a lasting impact on their communities but also serve as an inspiration to us all. Congratulations to each and every one of these extraordinary individuals for embodying the values of courage, confidence, and character that define the Girl Scout movement.”
Gold Award Girl Scouts make positive impacts on our local communities by addressing some of our most pressing issues, including maternal mental health, honoring military heroes, racial inequality within the education system, water safety, managing grief after loss, and student mental wellness.
Gold Award Girl Scouts become innovative problem-solvers, empathetic leaders, confident public speakers, and focused project managers. They learn resourcefulness, tenacity, and decision-making skills, giving them an edge personally and professionally. As they take action to transform their communities, Gold Award Girl Scouts gain tangible skills and prove they’re the leaders our world needs.
According to recent research, Gold Award Girl Scouts are more likely to fill leadership roles at work and in their personal lives and are more civically engaged than their non-Girl Scout peers. Eighty-seven percent (87%) of Gold Award Girl Scouts agree that earning their Gold Award gave them skills that help them succeed professionally. Seventy-two percent (72%) said earning their Gold Award helped them get a scholarship. Changing the world doesn’t end when a Girl Scout earns her Gold Award. Ninety-nine percent (99%) of Gold Award Girl Scout alums take on leadership roles in their everyday lives.
The Projects of the 2024 GSGCF Gold Award Class
The 2024 Gold Award Girl Scout class identified issues in their communities, took action, and found or created solutions to earn their Gold Awards, addressing real-life problems such as racial equality, mental and physical well-being, maternal welfare, and awareness for military families. Their projects demonstrate the breadth of issues American teens feel are most prevalent in society today.
Bryanna Sparks, a senior at Manatee High School, took on the challenge of addressing the lack of awareness and education surrounding maternal mental health with her Girl Scout Gold Award project titled “Maternal Mental Health Matters.” Recognizing the root cause of this issue as the insufficient knowledge about perinatal mood disorders, Bryanna embarked on a mission to provide support and resources for new mothers in her community. By providing care packages filled with hygiene products and informational brochures to new mothers at Manatee Memorial Hospital, Bryanna sought to equip women with the knowledge and tools to recognize and manage maternal mental health challenges. Additionally, informational posters were strategically placed in local pediatric and OBGYN offices, the Manatee County Health Department, and stores frequented by new mothers to broaden awareness. Bryanna developed a dedicated website to ensure ongoing access to resources, thereby promoting long-term sustainability and support for maternal mental health initiatives. To ensure sustainability and measure her impact, Bryanna created a website including project details, additional resources, and a feedback form. Through her diligent efforts, Bryanna raised awareness and provided tangible support for maternal mental health, leaving a lasting impact on her community.
“I learned to improve my time management skills, and I also developed better communication and collaboration skills by leading a team and working with my project advisor,” Bryanna said.
Kaitlyn Jadevaia, a senior from Riverview High School and Girl Scout Troop 459 in Sarasota, Florida, embarked on her Girl Scout Gold Award project titled “Taking Flight.” To address the lack of established milestones for families in grief therapy programs. Kaitlyn worked with the Blue Butterfly Family Grief Center to create a graduation step to make room for new families seeking support. Kaitlyn managed a team to develop various elements such as invitations, certificates, and an interactive art piece symbolizing progress. She measured impact through tangible outcomes like space creation for new families and attendance at the graduation ceremony. Blue Butterfly has agreed to continue implementing the graduation step permanently. Reflecting on her leadership journey, Kaitlyn learned the importance of empathy, time management, and adaptation to overcome obstacles. The project not only empowered families in their grief journey but also served as a testament to Kaitlyn’s commitment to community service and personal growth.
“It’s been an incredible process utilizing my creativity and leadership to make a positive impact on my community,” Kaitlyn said. “And being able to give back to Blue Butterfly, an organization that provided support to my Mom and I during our darkest times, feels like the most meaningful way to express my gratitude for everything they have done for my family.”
Michaela Fischer, a senior at The Canterbury School and a member of Girl Scout Troop 292, undertook the “In Their Honor” project for her Gold Award. Recognizing the need to raise awareness and honor Gold Star Families in Southwest Florida, Michaela created a public Gold Star Family Garden at Veterans Park and Recreation in Lehigh Acres. By collaborating with Lee County Parks and Recreation, Michaela designed and implemented a garden featuring a five-point star made of eastern gray granite, each point adorned with cast bronze insignias representing the five branches of the military. A plaque at the base of the star provides information about Gold Star Families and directs visitors to https://goldstarfamilygarden.org/, a website Michaela built, offering further education and tribute opportunities. Funding her project through personal savings, family contributions, and proceeds from the Girl Scout cookie program, Michaela measured her impact through website traffic, social media engagement, and feedback from Gold Star Families and community members. With hundreds of unique website visitors and heartfelt responses from visitors, Michaela successfully achieved her goal of raising public understanding and gratitude for local military heroes and Gold Star Families. Through her project, Michaela honored the sacrifice of fallen service members and fostered a deeper appreciation for their legacy within the community, leaving a lasting impact for years to come.
“Through this project, I learned about both my strengths and my weaknesses,” Michaela said. “I learned I am a powerful communicator. It was essential to continue open communication with my team even when we weren’t actively working on the project.”
Gabriella Stafford created the “Equal Opportunity to Succeed” project for her Girl Scout Gold Award, aiming to address racial inequality within the education system, particularly in gifted programs. During her senior year at Sarasota High school, she identified the root cause as socioeconomic disparities, which result in the disproportionate placement of Black and Latino students in lower-level classes, leading to unequal access to quality education. Gabriella addressed this issue by creating a documentary and a website, featuring research, personal essays, and potential solutions for school administrators and parents. Gabriella measured the success of her project through consumer surveys and plans to continue promoting it through social media and local school networks. She learned valuable leadership skills, including project management, collaboration, and problem-solving, and gained confidence in pursuing her career goals in film production.
“I learned I have it in me to fully pursue my career goals,” Gabriella said. “This experience gave me the confidence and affirmed my love and capability for film right before leaving for film school.”
Ainsley Ellis, an 18-year-old student at Lakewood Ranch High School, undertook the “Water Safety” project for her Girl Scout Gold Award, aiming to combat the lack of education surrounding water safety, which contributes to drowning incidents. She addressed this by creating a comprehensive website featuring crucial information on drowning prevention, rip currents, and diving risks, collaborating with various organizations and experts. To ensure sustainability, she researched reliable web hosting and actively promoted the website in the community. Ainsley measured the project’s impact by tracking website traffic and engagement over time. Throughout the project, she learned valuable lessons in resilience, problem-solving, and the power of technology to bridge gaps and connect communities, ultimately empowering individuals with life-saving water safety knowledge.
“This experience has taught me the invaluable lesson that setbacks should not discourage me,” Ainsley said. “Instead, they should serve as an incentive for resilience.”
Sarah Glass undertook the “Mindfulness Rooms” project for her Girl Scout Gold Award during her senior year at Bonita Springs High School. Recognizing the insufficient safe spaces for mental wellness education in alternative high school environments, Sarah addressed this issue by creating comfortable and welcoming mindfulness rooms in three ALS schools, equipped with materials like bean bag chairs, pillows, worksheets, posters, and brochures. She made the project sustainable by involving ALS schools to continue utilizing the spaces beyond her involvement. Sarah measured the impact through pre and post surveys on comfortability, coping skills, and mental health knowledge. Through this project, Sarah learned valuable lessons in time management, self-management, and discipline.
“I learned to be kind to myself and not put too much pressure on myself to complete the project as fast as possible,” Sarah said. “I focused on one small part at a time rather than the big picture.”
Do you have an elderly person in your life that you love and appreciate? National Grandparents Day, celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day each year since 1938, is the day to let them know how much you care. Grandparents Day is celebrated to honor the elderly people in your life celebrate the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren.
Today, seniors are still active in their communities as well as continuing to have a strong presence in the workforce. For all they do and have achieved for the good of their communities, senior citizens deserve our thanks!
Gulfcoast Girl Scout Tristan Blankenship decided to dedicate her 80-hour Gold Award project, “Tristan’s Blankets of Love,” to the cause of supporting and honoring senior citizens living in nursing homes. She was inspired to complete her project while visiting a family friend in a nursing home.
“I noticed everyone there looked sad and lonely. I wanted to think of a way to help, that is how my project came to be.”
Concerned about the increased levels of depression among residents in nursing homes as a result of loneliness, Tristan wanted to make nursing home residents feel loved. She did this by making individualized, hand-made blankets for each resident.
She also enlisted the help of her local Church Prayer Committee to distribute personalized prayer cards to the 70 residents at the State Veteran’s Nursing Home during their monthly birthday parties. The Prayer Committee has made a commitment to pray for each of the individuals in the nursing home.
“Because of this project, I have matured into a confident young woman, gained more self-assurance, and discovered that I really enjoy making other people happy.”
Tristan is a dual- enrolled junior at North Port High School and Suncoast Technical College for the Certified Nursing Assistant Program. She lives with her mother and step-father, their three cats, and eight chickens. She loves reading, roller and ice skating, and – of course – Girl Scouts.
Tristan said that the experience of earning has Gold Award has been “invaluable” to her career goal of becoming a nurse. “It has given me insight on the feelings of the residents in nursing homes.” She also said that completing her project helped her to “become a better nurse while I am at clinicals taking care of residents.”
Tristan earned her Gold Award in March 2023. She plans to finish the LPN program at Suncoast Technical College over the summer and go on to attend SCF for their Registered Nurse course for the next 4 years.
“Gold Award Girl Scouts are the dreamers and doers who take ‘make the world a better place’ to the next level,” said GSGCF CEO Mary Anne Servian. “These girls tackled issues that are important to them and their communities, and we congratulate them on this momentous accomplishment.”
The Girl Scout Gold Award acknowledges the power behind each Gold Award Girl Scout’s dedication to not only empowering and bettering herself, but also to making the world a better place for others. Through earning the Gold Award, Girl Scouts become innovative problem solvers, empathetic leaders, confident public speakers, and focused project managers. They learn resourcefulness, tenacity, and decision-making skills, giving them an edge personally and professionally.
By earning their Gold Awards, these young women have distinguished themselves as true community leaders and change-makers who have made a meaningful and sustainable difference in the world. Their accomplishments reflect leadership and social responsibility that set them apart from their peers.
According to recent research, Gold Award Girl Scouts are more likely to fill leadership roles at work and in their personal lives and are more civically engaged than their non-Girl Scout peers. Eighty-five percent of Gold Award Girl Scouts say that earning their Gold Award gave them skills to succeed in their daily lives, and eighty-seven percent say it gave them skills to help them succeed professionally.
As a bonus, the Gold Award opens doors to a variety of scholarships, preferred admission tracks for college, strong networking and amazing career opportunities, and much more. About 4,000 Girl Scouts earn their Gold Award every year, placing Tristan Blankenship among a prestigious community of change-makers who have achieved this honor. Since 1916, over 160,000 Girl Scouts have earned the Gold Award or its equivalent.
September is a month of awareness designed to honor Neonatal Intensive Care Awareness (NICU) families and the health professionals who care for them. The observance seeks to increase awareness of the challenges faced in the NICU.
Gulfcoast Girl Scout Alexis Smith, who plans to become a doctor one day, decided to dedicate her 80-hour Gold Award Project to helping NICU families with her project, “Heart to Heart.”
Alexis recognized the difficulties faced by many families whose babies must stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for prolonged periods of time after premature birth. She wanted to help nurture the bonds between parents and their babies during their stays in the NICU.
Alexis created a Facebook page with educational resources about prenatal care for parents-to-be and organized a group of volunteers to sew over 250 heart-shaped aromatherapy clothes for babies staying overnight in the NICU at Golisano Children’s Hospital. In order to accomplish her goals for this project, Alexis taught herself how to sew and later taught her volunteers how to sew, as well.
“While completing my Gold Award, I learned that I am good at public speaking. In the past, speaking in front of others always seemed intimidating to me, but once I began presenting and explaining my project to people, I realized how comfortable and confident I was,” she said.
Alexis will be attending International University in the fall to major in health science.
Alexis earned the Girl Scout Gold Award in March 2023. In May, Alexis was announced as the recipient of the 2023 Lyndi Cyphers Memorial College Scholarship.
“Gold Award Girl Scouts are the dreamers and doers who take ‘make the world a better place’ to the next level. “These girls tackled issues that are important to them and their communities, and we congratulate them on this momentous accomplishment,” said GSGCF CEO Mary Anne Servian.
The Girl Scout Gold Award acknowledges the power behind each Gold Award Girl Scout’s dedication to not only empowering and bettering herself, but also to making the world a better place for others. Through earning the Gold Award, Girl Scouts become innovative problem solvers, empathetic leaders, confident public speakers, and focused project managers. They learn resourcefulness, tenacity, and decision-making skills, giving them an edge personally and professionally.
By earning their Gold Awards, these young women have distinguished themselves as true community leaders and change-makers who have made a meaningful and sustainable difference in the world. Their accomplishments reflect leadership and social responsibility that set them apart from their peers.
According to recent research, Gold Award Girl Scouts are more likely to fill leadership roles at work and in their personal lives and are more civically engaged than their non-Girl Scout peers. Eighty-five percent of Gold Award Girl Scouts say that earning their Gold Award gave them skills to succeed in their daily lives, and eighty-seven percent say it gave them skills to help them succeed professionally.
As a bonus, the Gold Award opens doors to a variety of scholarships, preferred admission tracks for college, strong networking and amazing career opportunities, and much more. About 4,000 Girl Scouts earn their Gold Award every year, placing Alexis among a prestigious community of change-makers who have achieved this honor. Since 1916, over 160,000 Girl Scouts have earned the Gold Award or its equivalent.
Gold Award Girl Scout Autumn Pepper Rhodes was honored at the 2023 Young Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony.
In 1939, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt established National Aviation Day by presidential proclamation designating the anniversary of Orville Wright’s birthday for the observance. Orville and Wilbur successfully flew the first powered airplane, which they invented after four years of research and development, in 1903.
120 years later, aviation has changed quite a bit. According to the latest estimates, there are approximately 100,000 flights per day in the U.S.. An estimated 617,000 citizens hold active pilot certificates, Gulfcoast Girl Scout Autumn Pepper Rhodes being one of them.
Rhodes has been advocating for girls and women to experience more opportunities in the field of aviation.
“As a student pilot, I noticed the discrepancy in women mentors for young people interested in aviation,” she said. “I wanted to introduce aviation to young women in my community, create a community of mentors for them to look up to, and to advocate for an aviation career badge and the modification of regulations concerning flight in private aircraft within the Girl Scout program.”
She hosted three workshops in her community for young women to learn about engineering and aviation and invited successful women pilots as speakers to inspire interest in aviation among girls. Autumn’s workshops gave girls the opportunity to learn about careers in engineering and aviation and take part in a discovery flight experience. She also created a website filled with videos, education resources, and scholarship information for girls interested in aviation.
Autumn started an online petition urging GSUSA to lift the safety restrictions and allow discovery flights as a girl scout activity. To date, Autumn has collected over 1000 signatures to convince GSUSA to change their safety regulations to allow girls to fly airplanes as part of Girl Scout programming.
Autumn earned her Gold Award in March 2023, but she continues her advocacy to this day.
“This experience has inspired me and proved that I am able to make a difference in my community. I plan to continue advocating for aviation in Girl Scouting and press the Board of Directors to implement an aviation career badge to inspire young women around the country. I will undoubtedly continue to advocate for more women in S.T.E.M., and it has confirmed my desire to work as a Certified Flight Instructor and mentor for other young aviatrix.”
Autumn said that her favorite Girl Scouting memories include participating as a C.I.T. at Camp Honi Honta during the summer, and serving on the National Media Team for the 2017 G.I.R.L. National Convention.
She will be attending Rice University in the fall as a Mechanical Engineering and Astrophysics double major. She dreams of becoming a commercial airline pilot, and maybe even an astronaut one day!
The Girl Scout Gold Award acknowledges the power behind each Gold Award Girl Scout’s dedication to not only empowering and bettering herself, but also to making the world a better place for others. Through earning the Gold Award, Girl Scouts become innovative problem solvers, empathetic leaders, confident public speakers, and focused project managers. They learn resourcefulness, tenacity, and decision-making skills, giving them an edge personally and professionally.
“Gold Award Girl Scouts are the dreamers and doers who take ‘make the world a better place’ to the next level,” said GSGCF CEO Mary Anne Servian. “These girls tackled issues that are important to them and their communities, and we congratulate them on this momentous accomplishment.”
By earning their Gold Awards, these young women have distinguished themselves as true community leaders and change-makers who have made a meaningful and sustainable difference in the world. Their accomplishments reflect leadership and social responsibility that set them apart from their peers.
According to recent research, Gold Award Girl Scouts are more likely to fill leadership roles at work and in their personal lives and are more civically engaged than their non-Girl Scout peers. Eighty-five percent of Gold Award Girl Scouts say that earning their Gold Award gave them skills to succeed in their daily lives, and eighty-seven percent say it gave them skills to help them succeed professionally.
About 4,000 Girl Scouts earn their Gold Award every year, placing Autumn among a prestigious community of change-makers who have achieved this honor. Since 1916, over 160,000 Girl Scouts have earned the Gold Award or its equivalent.
As a bonus, the Gold Award opens doors to a variety of scholarships, preferred admission tracks for college, strong networking and amazing career opportunities, and much more. In July 2023, Girl Scouts of the USA announced that Autumn was the recipient of the 2023 Gold Award Scholarship. One Girl Scout per council in the U.S. is chosen each year for this prestigious award. This year, thanks to the generosity of the Girl Scouts of the USA’s donors, scholarship recipients received $10,000 each towards their high education pursuits.
National Book Lovers Day on August 9th harnesses all the excitement bibliophiles feel about books into one celebration!
As Girl Scouts, we know it is no secret that childhood literacy and reading are important stepping stones to a successful future. This is one of the reasons why Gulfcoast Girl Scout Natasha Agarwhal chose to address childhood literacy in impoverished communities for her 80-hour Gold Award project, “PAGETURNER Digital Learning Library.”
After learning that children from lower-income homes have limited access to books, Natasha wanted to help bridge the reading gap in her community. Natasha did this by providing 150 underserved children in PRE-K with free access to a digital learning library on YouTube, along with 10 corresponding books to go with the video series.
Natasha knew her project was a success when she received positive feedback and even requests for more books from both teachers and parents of the children she provided the reading resources to.
“This project taught me that I like doing big multi-step projects and working on a large team,” she said.
Natasha earned the Girl Scout Gold Award in March 2023.
“Gold Award Girl Scouts are the dreamers and doers who take ‘make the world a better place’ to the next level,” said GSGCF CEO Mary Anne Servian. “These girls tackled issues that are important to them and their communities, and we congratulate them on this momentous accomplishment.”
The Girl Scout Gold Award acknowledges the power behind each Gold Award Girl Scout’s dedication to not only empowering and bettering herself, but also to making the world a better place for others. Through earning the Gold Award, Girl Scouts become innovative problem solvers, empathetic leaders, confident public speakers, and focused project managers. They learn resourcefulness, tenacity, and decision-making skills, giving them an edge personally and professionally.
By earning their Gold Awards, these young women have distinguished themselves as true community leaders and change-makers who have made a meaningful and sustainable difference in the world. Their accomplishments reflect leadership and social responsibility that set them apart from their peers.
According to recent research, Gold Award Girl Scouts are more likely to fill leadership roles at work and in their personal lives and are more civically engaged than their non-Girl Scout peers. Eighty-five percent of Gold Award Girl Scouts say that earning their Gold Award gave them skills to succeed in their daily lives, and eighty-seven percent say it gave them skills to help them succeed professionally.
As a bonus, the Gold Award opens doors to a variety of scholarships, preferred admission tracks for college, strong networking and amazing career opportunities, and much more. About 4,000 Girl Scouts earn their Gold Award every year, placing Natasha among a prestigious community of change-makers who have achieved this honor. Since 1916, over 160,000 Girl Scouts have earned the Gold Award or its equivalent.
Girl Scouts of Gulf Coast Florida (GSGCF) Ambassador Girl Scout Autumn Pepper Rhodes is the recipient of the 2023 National Gold Award Scholarship. Every year, the Girl Scouts of the USA awards a Girl Scout Gold Award Scholarship to a Gold Award recipient from each council. Due to the generosity of sponsors and donors to GSUSA, this year’s recipient Autumn Pepper Rhodes will receive $10,000, as well as recognition in local and national Girl Scout promotions.
Learn more about the National Gold Award Scholarship at GSUSA’s website.
Rhodes is one of 12 GSGCF members to have earned the Girl Scout Gold Award in 2023. The Gold Award is the highest and most prestigious award that Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors can earn. It is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication to Girl Scouting.
A project must involve a minimum of 80 hours and include the following steps: identifying an issue, investigating it thoroughly, getting help and building a team, creating a plan, presenting the plan, gathering feedback, taking action, and educating and inspiring others. It is more than just a good service project—it encompasses organizational, leadership, and networking skills.
The issue that Rhodes identified for her project was a lack of gender parity within the fields of aerospace and aviation, as well as a lack of opportunities within Girl Scouts for girls to explore aviation. She hosted three workshops in her community for young women to learn about engineering and aviation and invited successful women pilots as speakers to inspire interest in aviation among girls.
Her workshops gave girls the opportunity to learn about careers in engineering and aviation and take part in a discovery flight experience.
She created a website filled with videos, educational resources, and scholarship information for girls interested in aviation. She also started an online petition urging GSUSA to lift their safety restrictions and allow discovery flights as a Girl Scout activity.
Rhodes’ petition has over 1,700 signatures and counting, and can be accessed on her website, www.girlswhosoar.com.
“This experience has inspired me and proved that I am able to make a difference in my community,” Rhodes said. “I plan to continue advocating for aviation in Girl Scouting and press the Board of Directors to implement an aviation career badge to inspire young women around the country. I will undoubtedly continue to advocate for more women in S.T.E.M., and it has confirmed my desire to work as a Certified Flight Instructor and mentor for other young aviatrix.”
Rhodes said that her favorite Girl Scouting memories include participating as a C.I.T. at Camp Honi Honta and serving on the National Media Team for the 2017 G.I.R.L. National Convention.
She will be attending Rice University in Houston in the fall, pursuing a dual major in mechanical engineering and astrophysics. She is a licensed pilot and aspires to one day become an astronaut.
Girl Scouts were able to apply for the scholarship between March 15, 2023 and April 17, 2023. Eligible Gold Award Girl Scouts included high school seniors or graduates who earned the Gold Award between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023. Each applicant was required to provide proof of their Gold Award and submit four 500-word essays about their Gold Award. One recipient per council was selected nationwide.
World Oceans Day, celebrated annually on June 8, is all about protecting the ocean. A healthy planet needs a healthy ocean, but our waters face huge risks from overfishing, climate change, and plastic pollution.
The purpose of the Day is to inform the public of the impact of human actions on the ocean, develop a worldwide movement of citizens for the ocean, and mobilize and unite the world’s population on a project for the sustainable management of the world’s oceans.
Gulfcoast Girl Scout Madison Witherspoon has a passion for environmental advocacy and decided to dedicate her 80-hour Gold Award project, “L.F.A. Program” to the cause of ocean conservation.
Madison is a high school junior in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program at Riverview High School. She has three siblings; an older brother, a twin sister, and a younger sister. In her free time, she likes to read and play volleyball.
Once Madison became aware of all the marine life and birds that were dying from unrecycled goods in the water and from beach litter, she was inspired to educate people on the importance of recycling. She did so by organizing a beach cleanup and creating an informative website on how to resolve the issues that arise due to lack of recycling.
She hosted classes for students grades K-12 where she taught students new recycling methods and shared the dangerous effects of pollution on the environment. She also collaborated with a social media influencer to get the word out about recycling through the creation of informative videos.
“Through this project, I learned that I am very good at managing uncontrollable situations,” Madison said.
Madison earned the Girl Scout Gold Award in March 2023.
She has three siblings: an older brother, a twin sister, and a younger sister. In her free time, she likes to read and play volleyball. She plans to pursue a career in pediatric oncology.
The Girl Scout Gold Award acknowledges the power behind each Gold Award Girl Scout’s dedication to not only empowering and bettering herself, but also to making the world a better place for others. Through earning the Gold Award, Girl Scouts become innovative problem solvers, empathetic leaders, confident public speakers, and focused project managers. They learn resourcefulness, tenacity, and decision-making skills, giving them an edge personally and professionally.
By earning their Gold Awards, these young women have distinguished themselves as true community leaders and change-makers who have made a meaningful and sustainable difference in the world. Their accomplishments reflect leadership and social responsibility that set them apart from their peers.
“Gold Award Girl Scouts are the dreamers and doers who take ‘make the world a better place’ to the next level,” said GSGCF CEO Mary Anne Servian. “These girls tackled issues that are important to them and their communities, and we congratulate them on this momentous accomplishment.”
GSGCF CEO Mary Anne Servian (left) and Gold Award Girl Scout Madison Witherspoon (right) at the 2023 Young Women of Distinction Award Ceremony.
According to recent research, Gold Award Girl Scouts are more likely to fill leadership roles at work and in their personal lives and are more civically engaged than their non-Girl Scout peers. Eighty-five percent of Gold Award Girl Scouts say that earning their Gold Award gave them skills to succeed in their daily lives, and eighty-seven percent say it gave them skills to help them succeed professionally.
As a bonus, the Gold Award opens doors to a variety of scholarships, preferred admission tracks for college, strong networking and amazing career opportunities, and much more. About 4,000 Girl Scouts earn their Gold Award every year, placing Madison among a prestigious community of change-makers who have achieved this honor. Since 1916, over 160,000 Girl Scouts have earned the Gold Award or its equivalent.
Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. 