Manatee County resident and Braden River High School student Grace Townsend earned Girl Scouting’s highest honor – the Gold Award – with her project titled, Changing Tides.

Worried that children were not learning enough about the global marine environment, Townsend took matters into her own hands. She ran a class for both children and their parents to learn about what they can do to make sure the next generation has a cleaner earth with healthier marine wildlife. Townsend also wrote a children’s book titled A Change in Tides, which describes the ocean’s food web, types of underwater creatures, and how humans can make a positive difference.

“My leadership skills have grown vastly as a result of this project, because it has inspired me to develop myself more through others,” reflected Townsend. “Every good leader needs a circle of support, and I understand that now.”

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

Congratulations, Grace!

Lee County resident and homeschool graduate Sierra Susko earned Girl Scouting’s highest honor – the Gold Award – with her project titled, History Debunked.

Recognizing that students and eligible voters are often unaware of their rights and responsibilities as US citizens, Susko developed a comprehensive training course covering basic US history and government. To make her resources available to everyone, Susko produced a YouTube tutorial that highlights the topics she addressed in class. She also spoke to county commissioners, local news stations, and the school board to encourage the promotion of her video.

Susko said, “I’ve determined that if I have a goal in mind, despite roadblocks and challenges, I can persevere and accomplish anything that comes my way.”

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

Congratulations, Sierra!

Sarasota County resident and Pine View School graduate Isabella Stepanek earned Girl Scouting’s highest honor – the Gold Award – with her project titled, Izzy’s Swinging Skirts.

Stepanek has spent her entire life playing sports and over the years observed one major consistency – there are always more boys involved than girls. Stepanek partnered with Girls Incorporated of Sarasota County to provide an ongoing golf clinic for girls. She believes every girl deserves the opportunity to be exposed to sports, regardless of her socioeconomic status. Isabella recognizes that golf, like all sports, teaches integrity, patience, and hard work.

“This project has allowed me to advocate for myself and others, empowered me to make a difference in the world, and most importantly, I got to educate and inspire others to act,” Stepanek concluded.

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

Congratulations, Isabella!

Manatee County resident and Palmetto High School graduate Julie Pyle earned Girl Scouting’s highest honor – the Gold Award – with her project titled, Weight of the World.

For her Gold Award project, Pyle set out to educate the public about sensory disorders and provide resources for those living with conditions like Dysautonomia. Weighted lap pads are often used to soothe children and even adults with sensory disorders, but can be expensive. Pyle sewed more than 100 weighted lap pads to donate to children in need, so they can be more focused on learning while at school.

Pyle learned, “In the future, I will be able to recognize issues in my community, so I can devise a plan and build a team to alleviate or fix the problem.”

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

Congratulations, Julie!

Sarasota County resident and Lemon Bay High School graduate Reagan Moody earned Girl Scouting’s highest honor – the Gold Award – with her project titled, Building Bridges to Cuba.

Fascinated with the proximity of Cuba to the United States, yet lack of relationship between the two, Moody decided to build a metaphorical bridge to improve the lives of Cuban children. She spent three years collecting and sending homemade gifts and handwritten letters to children living in poverty, so they could feel loved and connected to others beyond their own community. One day she hopes to visit her new friends in person so she can see first-hand the impact of her project.

“Because of this project, I now know how it feels to have a connection with people outside of my own country, and how important it is to communicate with others,” said Moody.

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

Congratulations, Reagan!

Sarasota County resident and Venice High School graduate Emily Mioduszewski earned Girl Scouting’s highest honor – the Gold Award – with her project titled, #urnotalone.

After learning that 25% of teenagers suffer from anxiety, Mioduszewski was inspired to address mental illnesses and remove the taboo around them in today’s society. She recorded and uploaded a series of interviews with psychologist Dr. Chris Cortman discussing a variety of mental disorders. Mioduszewski feels that if people are more educated about mental health, children and adults alike will feel more comfortable speaking out and can receive the help they need.

Mioduszewski discovered, “As a result of this project, I learned that no project is too big for me. I know if I put my mind towards something, then I can get it done properly.”

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

Congratulations, Emily!

Collier County resident and Naples High School graduate Erika Miller earned Girl Scouting’s highest honor – the Gold Award – with her project titled, Skirts for All.

Miller believes that sewing is an important skill that is quickly becoming lost in the modern world. She invited young girls to join a workshop where she taught an introductory lesson on how to sew a reversible wrap skirt. Together, they sewed 20 skirts, which they donated to Love A Child, an organization serving children in Haiti. By uploading a do-it-yourself reversible skirt video, she hopes others will be inspired to create and donate clothes to the less fortunate.

Miller said, “Following the steps to complete my Gold Award have prepared me for future leadership projects in college, my career, and life.”

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

Congratulations, Erika!

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

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

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

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

Congratulations, Maegan!

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

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

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

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

Congratulations, Katelyn!