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.