The Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida are developing young women leaders passionate about giving back to their community. Recently, Girl Scouts Alivia B., Rylee H., and Samantha M. from Troop 617 in Englewood earned the Bronze Award, the highest honor for a Girl Scout Junior, by creating a Little Free Library in their community. Under the guidance of leaders Pam Cataloni and Crystal Burritt, these dedicated girls, committed to Girl Scouting for six years, have completed a significant community project.
The Girl Scout Bronze Award, designed for Girl Scout Juniors in grades 4-5, requires a team project that makes a lasting impact on the community. It emphasizes leadership, community involvement, and essential skills development. Earning this award signifies that a Girl Scout has made a substantial difference by addressing a community need or issue.
Troop 617 collaborated with the Kiwanis Club of Englewood-Cape Haze and a local food pantry to address childhood literacy. They placed the book box at the St. David’s Jubilee Center of Englewood, Florida, recognizing it as a wonderful opportunity to support their local community. The project’s success was a collaborative effort, with valuable support from the Kiwanis Club and The Book Worm, a beloved used bookstore.
According to Burritt, the girls honed several important skills throughout the project. They learned to work as a cohesive team, delegating tasks such as painting and constructing different parts of the book box. They also developed research skills, narrowing down their favorite Dr. Seuss quotes to find the perfect one: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Additionally, they gained confidence in soliciting donations and working with local businesses.
The book box is located at 401 S. Broadway, Englewood, FL 34224. Community members are encouraged to donate books and take one they haven’t read yet, supporting the spirit of sharing and literacy.
The girls stocked the Little Free Library with donations from local nonprofits.
The girls’ favorite part of the project was the hands-on experience of constructing the box, particularly using hand tools, making cement, and the camaraderie they shared, including a memorable dance party in the parking lot. Despite challenges like digging a deep hole in hard ground and assembling the box, the girls persevered and successfully completed their project.
Alivia B. shared her excitement about being a Girl Scout, saying, “It is like an afterschool club. We get to be with some of our best friends, doing fun things like helping our community and going on lots of adventures!”
The Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida proudly hosted their annual Young Women of Distinction Ceremony on May 19th at the esteemed Charlotte Harbor Convention Center in Punta Gorda. This year’s ceremony, a celebration of excellence and achievement, honored an impressive cohort of 618 girls, recognizing their remarkable contributions with over 800 awards.
GSGCF CEO Mary Anne Servian sits on stage with Girl Scout Ambassador Olivia T. at the 2024 Young Women of Distinction Ceremony.
“During this inspiring ceremony, we witnessed the embodiment of courage, confidence, and character in each and every Girl Scout who received an award. As we celebrate their remarkable achievements, we reaffirm our commitment to nurturing the leaders of tomorrow with the same name, and the same mission for over 100 years. Together, we will continue to empower girls to unleash their full potential and shape a brighter future for us all,” said chief girl champion, CEO Mary Anne Servian.
The event, a testament to the dedication and perseverance of these young women, showcased a diverse array of accolades, including the prestigious Girl Scout Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards, Journey Summit recognitions, Religious Recognitions, 10-Year Pins, as well as acknowledgments for graduating Girl Scouts, Girl Scout College Scholarship recipients, and accomplished Cookie Entrepreneurs.
Sharon Matthews, esteemed co-chair of the GSUSA Governance Advisory Team, attended the ceremony as the keynote speaker. Drawing from her illustrious 40-year career in Human Resources, which encompassed senior leadership roles at industry giants such as Wells Fargo and IBM, Matthews shared invaluable wisdom and advice with the attending girls.
Sharon Matthews stands on stage with GSGCF Board President Richard Cyphers and CEO Mary Anne Servian.
The pinnacle of the evening was the announcement of the Girl Scout Gold Award winners, Ainsley Ellis, Michaela Fischer, Sarah Glass, Kaitlyn Jadevaia, Bryanna Sparks, and Gabriella Stafford. Their recognition was accompanied by the debut of their inspiring Gold Award videos. The videos are now available for viewing on the GSGCF YouTube channel.
As CEO Mary Anne Servian articulated during her address, the Girl Scout Gold Award is “truly the mark of the remarkable.” It stands as the highest honor in Girl Scouting, symbolizing true distinction and accomplishment. Prior to the ceremony, the families of Gold Award Girl Scouts gathered for a special brunch buffet, where they received their award pins amidst joyous celebrations with family and friends.
Another highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Dr. Elinor Crawford Girl Scout Scholarship Fund to six deserving recipients, including Tristan Blankenship, Harley Cross, Audrey Muller, Lilly Riggs, Bryanna Sparks, and Lucy Thomas. Established in 1987 by the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. Board of Directors, the scholarship is named after Dr. Elinor Crawford, a lifelong Girl Scout and advocate for women’s rights in education. This scholarship fund has recognized the achievements of 315 graduating high school senior Girl Scouts, honoring their excellence in skills, leadership, and citizenship.
Bryanna Sparks, a distinguished Gold Award Girl Scout, was additionally awarded the Lyndi Cyphers Memorial Scholarship, presented by Richard Cyphers, Board President, in loving memory of his late wife.
Girl Scout entrepreneurs were celebrated for their outstanding achievements during the Fall Product Program and Cookie Program. Entrepreneurs who distributed over 1,000 boxes of Cookies were honored on stage, acknowledging their remarkable dedication to goal-setting, exemplary decision-making, exceptional people-skills, business ethics, and adept money management skills. Among these accomplished individuals, Savannah R. was the top entrepreneur during the Fall Product Program. The top Cookie seller, Grace P., distinguished herself by selling an impressive 7,437 boxes of Girl Scout cookies. Notably, Grace also secured the highest number of donations to military heroes through the council’s Gift of Caring initiative.
The accomplishments of these girls serve as a testament to the Girl Scout values of leadership, generosity, and community impact.
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.”
Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. provides incredible opportunities for graduating high school senior Girl Scouts to pursue higher education through the Dr. Elinor Crawford Girl Scout Scholarship Fund. Additionally, The Community Foundation and the Selby Scholarship Program offer tuition assistance to high school and college students, providing a range of scholarships to support academic endeavors.
Dr. Elinor Crawford Girl Scout Scholarship Fund:
Since 1989, the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. Board of Directors has been awarding college scholarships to recognize the achievements of graduating high school senior Girl Scouts. The scholarship fund aims to honor young women who excel in skills, leadership, and citizenship. The application period for the Dr. Elinor Crawford Girl Scout Scholarship is open until February 28, 2024, with recipients being honored at the Young Women of Distinction Celebration on May 19, 2024.
For more information and assistance, applicants can contact Marie Graziosi at marieg@gsgcf.org or 941-921-5358 ext. 338 or 800-232-4475.
Community Foundation Tuition Scholarship:
The Community Foundation invites high school seniors of the Class of 2024 to apply for scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000. The scholarships are available to students planning to pursue postsecondary education in the fall of 2024. Over $100,000 was awarded in 2023 to students attending 2-and 4-year colleges and internships nationwide.
Key Dates for the Community Foundation Tuition Scholarship:
January 1: Scholarship opens.
March 31 (at 11:45 p.m.): Scholarship deadline.
May 15: Winners announced.
Applicants can learn more about each scholarship and eligibility criteria on The Community Foundation website. To apply, eligible students must register and create an account in the online scholarship portal. For further information, contact Tiffany McQueen Lewis, Scholarship Administrator, at tiffany@capecoralcf.org or 312-848-5744.
Selby Scholarship Program:
The Selby Scholarship Program provides another avenue for students seeking financial assistance for their education. While specific details about this program are not provided in the given content, interested individuals are encouraged to explore the opportunities it offers.
Graduating high school seniors from a school in Charlottee, DeSoto, Manatee or Sarasota County are eligible. Applicants must have “exceptional financial need” as determined by the 2024-25 FAFSA. Applicants also must have a 3.0 unweighted cumulative GPA, and plan to attend an accredited college or university to complete a 4-year degree.
Applications open on Jan. 1, 2024. Visit www.selbyfdn.org to learn more and apply online.Contact Kierra Womack (941-957-0442, kwomack@selbyfdn.org) with questions.
GSUSA Gold Award Scholarship
The GSUSA Gold Award Scholarship is earned by a Girl Scout who completed a Gold Award project that demonstrated extraordinary leadership, measurable and sustainable impact, and addressed an issue of national and/or global significance.
Additionally, all scholarship recipients will be added to a GSUSA database where they may be asked to serve as representatives for Girl Scouts through public relations, web/social, speaking engagements, or other related opportunities.
WHEN: The application period is March 15 – April 17, 2024.
Gold Award Girl Scouts who are high school seniors or recent high school graduates can apply for the 2024 program. Specifically:
current high school seniors who earned or will earn anytime before April 1, 2024
recent high school graduates who earned in their senior year after March 31, 2023
Notes on eligibility:
Gold Award Girl Scouts who applied in a previous year are not eligible to re-apply.
To be eligible, all Gold Award Girl Scouts must have their final report approved in the GoGold web app within the eligibility date range.
Gold Award Girl Scouts who are not yet in 12th grade will have the opportunity to apply in their senior year.
How to apply for the Gold Award Scholarship:
Apply between March 15–April 17, 2024. All applicants will receive status updates in June 2024.
In addition to providing demographic information, a headshot with photo release, and confirmation of Gold Award status, each applicant will answer four essay questions in 500 words or fewer per question about their Gold Award:
Please summarize your project in a narrative describing the root cause, how your project addresses it, the resources you leveraged, and how you achieved your goal. Be sure to indicate how you displayed leadership, detailing 1) how you led a team to accomplish your goals and 2) how you involved appropriate community members in your solution.
Please describe how your project had measurable and sustainable impact. Share how you collected information or data throughout your project and used it to show how your actions had an impact on your issue. Then, share how your project carries on or continues to have impact even after you’ve done your part!
Please describe how your project had a local connection to a national or global issue. Why does your project matter? Explain how your project meaningfully addressed an issue that is relevant nationwide and/or worldwide.
Please describe the impact completing your Gold Award project has had on you. Include what new skills you may have gained, what qualities you have learned about yourself, and how these discoveries will help you in the future.
These scholarship opportunities are valuable resources for Girl Scouts and other students looking to pursue higher education. By taking advantage of these programs, young women can continue to excel academically and contribute to their communities as future leaders. Don’t miss the deadlines, and seize the chance to support your educational journey with these scholarships.
A group of dedicated and compassionate Girl Scouts from Troop #348 in Sarasota County have undertaken a significant community initiative as part of their Bronze Award Project. Olivia, Violet, Kinsley, Ariel, Autumn, and Sam have collaborated to install “Buddy Benches” at various playgrounds in the county, with the aim of creating comfortable spaces for friends to gather and connect.
The Bronze Award is a prestigious honor within the Girl Scouts, recognizing significant community service projects undertaken by Scouts in their pursuit of making a positive impact. Last year, the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida enabled 78 Girl Scouts to earn their Bronze Award, showcasing the dedication and commitment of these young leaders.
The idea for the project emerged when the girls noticed the positive impact of a single bench at a local playground where people regularly gathered. Inspired by the sense of community it fostered, the girls resolved to extend this camaraderie by installing more benches throughout Sarasota County.
This venture marks the Girl Scouts’ first major construction project. Olivia, one of the project leaders, expressed her enthusiasm for the learning experience, stating that she learned a lot about construction and enjoyed learning how to use a power drill.
The Buddy Benches, still in the drying phase, will be meticulously painted by the girls at the end of this month. Once completed, these benches will find their new homes at prominent locations including LaMarque Elementary in North Port, Cranberry Elementary in North Port, Atwater Elementary in North Port, and Faith Preparatory School in Lake Suzy.
A particularly touching aspect of this initiative is the dedication of one of the benches at Atwater Elementary School in North Port to the memory of six-year-old Daylan Guillen, a beloved student who recently passed away. This memorial bench will serve as a lasting tribute to Daylan’s spirit and will be the only one of its kind among the Buddy Benches.
The successful execution of this heartwarming project was made possible through generous contributions from the local community. Home Depot of North Port donated essential materials such as wood, screws, and paint rollers. Additionally, a kind-hearted local real estate agent provided funding for the paint, and the director of Faith Preparatory School showed support by sending a gift card to Lowe’s, enabling the purchase of necessary protective gear like eyewear and gloves. Under the careful supervision of adults, the girls constructed the benches entirely by themselves, showcasing their dedication and teamwork.
The Buddy Benches not only provide a comfortable space for friends to gather but also stand as a testament to the Girl Scouts’ commitment to making a positive impact in their community. Their initiative, determination, and compassion serve as an inspiration to us all.
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.
Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. 