For more than twelve years, Zoe L. has lived the Girl Scout Promise through service, leadership, and a deep commitment to her community. That dedication has now been recognized beyond the Girl Scout Movement, as Zoe has been selected as the 2026 Spirit of Manatee – Young Spirit Award winner by the Manatee Community Foundation.
Girl Scout Zoe L. and Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida CEO Mary Anne Servian wrap up filming at the Manatee Community Foundation for the 2026 Spirit of Manatee award video.
A resident of Lakewood Ranch, Zoe exemplifies what it means to lead with courage, compassion, and purpose. Her Girl Scout journey is marked not only by time and dedication, but by meaningful, lasting impact.
Leadership Through Girl Scouting
Zoe earned the Girl Scout Silver Award in 2022 by creating a Little Free Library at Summerfield Park, using materials donated by her and a fellow Girl Scout—funded through their own Cookie earnings. The project expanded access to books and encouraged literacy within the community.
In 2025, Zoe achieved the highest honor in Girl Scouting—the Girl Scout Gold Award—by designing and implementing a Beach Toy Borrow Bin on Holmes Beach. The sustainable project was created to reduce plastic waste and prevent beach debris from harming marine life, including sea turtles. Zoe personally funded the project and partnered with local organizations including Islanders 4 Clean Water, the City of Holmes Beach, the InWater Research Group, and Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida.
Zoe describes her Gold Award as her most life-changing work, requiring more than 80 hours of research, planning, and collaboration. Through the process, she developed leadership, organization, and problem-solving skills—and discovered a deeper passion for conservation that has inspired her to explore a future career in aquatic animal medicine.
Service Beyond the Troop
Zoe’s commitment to service extends well beyond Girl Scouts. She volunteers with South Florida Blood Cancer United and participates in her school’s Blood Drive Club. She has supported the Humane Society of Manatee County through kennel care, laundry assistance, and shelter improvements, and has volunteered with organizations including Manasota BUDS, Manatee Foster and Adoptive Services, All Faiths Food Bank, Magic of Mittens, TOP Soccer, and the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk.
At Lakewood Ranch High School, Zoe serves as a member of the National Honor Society and as President of the Junior Advisory Board, continuing to demonstrate leadership among her peers.
A Spirit of Service Recognized
The Spirit of Manatee Awards honor individuals who go above and beyond to strengthen Manatee County. Zoe’s selection as the 2026 Young Spirit Award winner reflects her extraordinary dedication to service, environmental stewardship, and community leadership.
From building access to books, to protecting beaches and marine life, to supporting vulnerable populations, Zoe’s work reflects the very best of Girl Scouting in action.
We are incredibly proud of Zoe Lander and look forward to celebrating her at the 20th Annual Spirit of Manatee event on March 25, 2026. Her story is a powerful reminder of what girls can accomplish when they are given the opportunity to lead—and when they choose to serve with heart and purpose.
Thanks to the generosity of donors during the 2024 Giving Challenge, which was presented by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County with giving strengthened by The Patterson Foundation, Mackenzie was able to Be the One to show us how Girl Scouts transforms girls’ lives and supports mental health.
The One to Struggle Quietly
Mackenzie joined Girl Scouts when she was in the first grade, to make new friends.
The first time we met Mackenzie, she was just seven years old. A bright and imaginative first grader, she was always eager to try new things, but prone to nerves when asked to speak up during a troop meeting.
She also carried struggles that weren’t always visible: the restless grip of social anxiety, and the heaviness of depression that sometimes kept her at home weighed heavily on her at times.
Mackenzie shared that her struggles with mental health began when she was in the eighth grade. “I was constantly sad and anxious,” she said. “It was affecting my grades at school and my friendships.”
Her mental health struggles made it difficult for her to feel like she fit in.
“Being diagnosed with anxiety was hard,” Mackenzie shares. “There were days where I missed school and had trouble explaining to my friends why I was absent. It made me feel lonely at times.”
And sadly, the research shows that Mackenzie is not alone.
With the support of funds raised during the 2024 Giving Challenge, Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida (GSGCF) joined forces with other Florida councils to commission a groundbreaking study on the state of Florida girls’ emotional, mental, physical, and academic wellness.
The State of the Florida Girl Report shows that girls face worse outcomes in academics, health, safety, and especially mental health compared to boys. According to the report, nearly 50% of Florida girls report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and more than 1 in 4 experience poor mental health most of the time.
But thankfully, it also shows a way forward: youth programs designed specifically for girls, like Girl Scouts, dramatically improve outcomes across every area studied.
The One to Ask for Help
At Girl Scouts, our mission has always been to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. What we didn’t fully recognize was that while we were asking girls to change the world, the world wasn’t quite returning the favor. We knew we had to be the one to help girls thrive.
Many might ask: How did we get here? But at Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, we ask: Where do we go from here?
We knew right away that we couldn’t make lasting change without help from others.
So, as part of our goal to better serve our members’ mental health needs, we joined forces with HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital to deliver relevant mental wellness programming.
We also partnered with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Sarasota and Manatee Counties and Children’s World for the 2024 Giving Challenge. Our main goal was to empower girls like Mackenzie with tools for mental health awareness, self-care, and resilience.
“Seeing organizations like NAMI and Girl Scouts come together during the Giving Challenge really made me realize how far we’ve come in support of mental health awareness. It gave me confidence that girls were going to be able to grow up having these organizations easily accessible to learn about mental health diseases and how to manage everyday life,” Mackenzie said.
The data shows why these programs matter, too. TheState of the Florida Girl Report revealed that structured mentalhealth programs significantly improve girls’ coping skills, reduce risk behaviors, and increase academic performance.
Mary Anne Servian, CEO of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, put it this way: “Girls already have incredible strength and potential within them. Girl Scout programs simply give them the chance to discover it—by trying new things, building skills, and being surrounded by safe, supportive adults who believe in them. With the help of our community, we can continue providing these opportunities, tools, and resources so that girls like Mackenzie realize their power and use it to shape a brighter future.”
The One to Find Her Voice
Through Girl Scouts, Mackenzie participated in numerous troop and individual projects that made a positive impact on her community, learning the value of caring for others.
On March 28, 2024 Girl Scouts earned their Mental Wellness and First Aid badges at HCA.NAMI educators helped Girl Scouts discuss their feelings and learn positive coping skills. They also learned first aid with nurses, bandaged teddy bears, and toured the ER.
In March 2024, she discovered something even more personal: the importance of being the one to care for herself. During a Girl Scout badge workshop at HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital, she chose to work on the Finding My Voice badge.
At first, she was anxious to attend an event with so many unfamiliar faces. But the activities—breathing exercises, roleplays, naming emotions out loud—felt different from the usual school day. They gave her space and language for expressing feelings she was used to carrying in silence.
Later that spring, she laughed with friends while painting mandalas at the 2024 Giving Challenge Self-Care Fair event at Camp Honi Hanta. Girl Scouts hosted this workshop in collaboration with NAMI. Sunshine filtered through the cypress trees as a yoga instructor guided them in gentle stretches. Mackenzie didn’t realize it then, but she was one of the 78% of girls who walked away with greater emotional awareness after that day.
Girl Scouts attended our Self Care Fair on April 4, 2024.GSGCF CEO Mary Anne Servian with Girl Scouts at the fair.NAMI made presentations and even brought an emotional support dog, helping girls and their families learn all about mental wellness.
Mackenzie said that these activities really made her feel “understood and cared for.”
“Having a safe space to not only talk about my challenges but listen to other people’s challenges helped me to connect with girls I never thought I would. These were opportunities I would have never gotten if it hadn’t been for Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida.”
By June, she was watching her troop leaders bring back skills from the Volunteer Celebration Wellness Training. At this event, we continued to partner with NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties to equip over 100 leaders with wellness tools to share directly with girls.
The One to Find Belonging
For Mackenzie, Girl Scout programs were more than dates on a calendar; they were living proof that adults cared enough to create spaces just for girls like her, where she was never “too much” or “not enough.”
Mackenzie (right side, white shirt) hiking with her Girl Scout troop as a child.
In Girl Scouts, she found a place where she truly belonged.
Even when her mental health struggles set her apart during summer camp, she said the troop never treated her differently: “I was worried about what other people were going to think, but they welcomed me with open arms.”
She said attending Girl Scout camp in high school was “the best time of my life.” Meeting new friends, working with supportive leaders, and enjoying low-ropes challenges and campfire songs, she said, “brought back my happy self.”
“Girl Scouts is the one place where I could go and feel free and uplifted,” she added. “Not only did I have my leaders to help me, but my fellow sisters in Girl Scouting were also a big part too. They listened and helped me through all my struggles.”
The One to Conquer the World
With the confidence skills she learned in Girl Scouts, Mackenzie traveled to New York City to represent Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida at the United Nations’ 67th Commission on the Status of Women. She stood among global changemakers, voicing the needs of girls who are too often left unheard.
Mackenzie (left) stands with fellow GSGCF Girl Scouts at the United Nations, representing Girl Scouts as a youth delegate.
“Representing Girl Scouts at the UN ‘s 67th Commission on the Status of Women is an experience I’ll never forget. Getting to meet and see world leaders come together to talk and make changes about issues directly affecting me was incredible.
And I got to be a part of that change too by writing statements to be sent over and giving a speech in front of a few hundred people. It gave me confidence that I was capable of doing anything I set my mind to,” she said. She also confessed, “A year prior I was having a panic attack about giving a presentation in front of my class and now I felt I could conquer the world.”
The One to Speak Up
When we unveiled The State of the Florida Girl report, Mackenzie stepped up to the podium inspired to raise her voice once again—this time not on an international stage, but in her own community. Before a crowd of leaders, politicians, reporters, and nonprofit directors, she spoke about her journey in Girl Scouts.
Mackenzie shares her story publicly at the unveiling of The State of the Florida Girl Report in July 2024.
She explained how the Mental Health Badge Workshop at HCA Sarasota Doctors Hospital, the 2024 Giving Challenge Self Care Fair, and other Girl Scout programs and supportive mentors helped her grow past the obstacles she faced with her mental health diagnosis.
Mackenzie said that being asked to stand beside Mary Anne Servian, Chief Girl Champion and CEO of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, and tell her story made her feel exceptionally confident and proud. “I was so anxious about messing up… But I pushed through it and went on stage in front of all those people and spoke about my story.”
Afterwards, she said it was encouraging to hear from attendees that they were inspired by her story. “I had never been prouder of myself because I knew what I was doing was going to be the one to help change girls’ lives.”
Her words truly strengthened those who heard her story with resolve to Be the One to do better for our girls.
You Can Be the One to Help Girls Thrive
Our work advocating for girls’ wellbeing isn’t done.
Currently, our calendar includes increased programming for girls, with new, inclusive opportunities added every day. These programs help girls build mental health skills, boost confidence through self-defense and empowerment workshops, explore STEM subjects, express themselves through art and performance, and strengthen their confidence through physical activity.
The State of the Florida Girl Report is a deep dive into the challenges and successes confronted by the girls in our state and serves as a call to action to reinforce the critical need for safe, nurturing environments designed to support girls’ growth.
In 2026, we hope to release an updated version of TheState of the Florida Girl Report to track progress and continue refining our programs based on the evolving needs of girls across the state.
Our membership is steadily growing, and so is the need. As more girls join, the demand for uniforms, financial aid, and support for life-changing programs grows with them.
Mackenzie knows firsthand what it means to be supported. Her story shows that when girls are given chances to explore, earn badges, live their values, and be guided by mentors in a place where they truly belong, amazing things happen. They grow. They lead. They find their voice.
Today, Mackenzie serves on the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida Board of Directors. She’s no longer the girl quietly battling anxiety and loneliness—she’s a leader shaping programs for thousands of girls across the Gulf Coast.
Mackenzie wants her community to understand the impact Girl Scout programs have on helping girls thrive:
“It’s hard to go through these kinds of challenges on your own,” she said. “No kid should have to. I don’t know where I would be right now if it weren’t for Girl Scouts being the light in my life through one of my toughest times.”
This year, you can be part of that light. Be the one to support the upcoming 2026 Giving Challenge taking place April 15-16.
This year, you can #BeTheOne to help girls thrive.
The 2026 Giving Challenge is presented by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County with giving strengthened by The Patterson Foundation.
Girls Scouts Mary, Juliana, Lizzy and Alisa from Troop 328 earned the Girl Scout Bronze Award by advocating for animal welfare and creating a garden space at Shy Wolf Sanctuary.
A group of young Girl Scouts in Naples is taking a stand for misunderstood wildlife—and earning one of the organization’s highest honors in the process.
Girl Scout Juniors from Troop 328, who call themselves the “Wolf Pack,” are working toward their Bronze Award by partnering with Shy Wolf Sanctuary, a local nonprofit that rescues and rehabilitates wolves, wolfdogs, and other exotic animals. The Bronze Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Junior (grades 4–5) can earn, and it requires a minimum of 20 hours spent planning and executing a project that addresses a root cause of a community issue.
For their project, the girls are focused on dispelling common myths about wolves and raising awareness about the challenges they face due to habitat loss, pet abandonment, and illegal breeding. Their efforts included creating a community education display board titled “Wolves are Vital, Not Villains,” which is currently on view at the Naples Regional Library on Central Avenue. The display is expected to rotate through additional Collier County library branches in the coming months.
“I learned that wild animals need our help,” said sixth-grader Juliana G. “I also discovered the underlying reasons behind these issues, like the illegal wildlife trade.”
“My favorite part was when we made mosaic stepping stones. I learned cement skills! That’s so cool,” Lizzy said. “I learned how to collaborate better with others, and I learned how to use Google apps to stay organized.”
“This project means a lot to me,” said Alisa J. “I loved seeing the animals at Shy Wolf and I really hope that our Bronze Award Project can help them.” She also added that she learned a lot about teamwork and how to collaborate with others, and is excited to lead more projects in the future.
Mary said her favorite part was painting the flower boxes and planting the seeds. “I learned how to take notes at our meetings, as the secretary.”
In addition to the awareness campaign, the troop is volunteering on-site at Shy Wolf Sanctuary. They organized a stuffed animal drive to provide comfort items to the animals. Additionally, they are improving a garden area, designing mosaic stepping stones, and planting flowers.
The Girl Scout Bronze Award is designed to help girls develop leadership skills, explore community issues, and create sustainable solutions. More than a service project, it asks girls to identify root causes of a problem, build a team, connect with community partners, and make a lasting impact. Earning the Bronze Award empowers girls to see themselves as capable leaders and changemakers—even at a young age.
Girl Scout Juniors Alisa, Juliana, Lizzy, and Mary—will cap off their efforts with an educational session for the wider Girl Scout community later this summer, further expanding the project’s reach and sustainability.
Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc.: Girl Scouts create the world they want to live in and strive to make it better every single day. They explore their strengths, take on new challenges, and can always be themselves, regardless of background or ability. Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida council has a membership of over 3,800 girls in grades K-12, and more than 1,500 adult members. GSGCF is chartered by Girl Scouts of the USA and serves girls in ten counties including: Manatee, Hardee, Highlands, Sarasota, DeSoto, Charlotte, Glades, Lee, Hendry, and Collier. The council is governed by a volunteer board of directors who represent the geographic, ethnic, and social demographics of the council’s jurisdiction. For more information about Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida visit www.gsgcf.org.
Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida (GSGCF) honored 413 Girl Scouts with 576 awards during the 2025 Young Women of Distinction Ceremony on May 18 at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center in Punta Gorda. Awards recognized achievements in leadership, service, faith, academics, and entrepreneurship.
Gold Award alum and World Foundation for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts Board Director Laura Robert-Rivera delivered the keynote, encouraging girls to stay involved and recognize the pivotal moments that shape them.
This year, GSGCF honored six Girl Scouts who earned the prestigious Gold Award—the highest achievement in Girl Scouting—recognizing extraordinary leadership and sustainable community impact. “The Gold Award is truly the mark of the remarkable,” said GSGCF CEO Mary Anne Servian. “We are here today to celebrate young women who have turned their passions into purpose through this prestigious achievement.”
Krysta Fowler (North Port): Built 26 bat habitats and launched a multi-county conservation campaign.
Olivia Trader (Cape Coral): Created a campus safety guide and led self-defense classes.
Victoria Morton (Port Charlotte): Established a pet food pantry and published resource guides.
Reagan Graham (Sarasota): Distributed 2,000+ pairs of socks and founded a permanent sock closet.
Harley Cross: Launched a 24/7 anonymous food pantry to combat hunger with dignity.
Dakota Partelow: Renovated a room at Valerie’s House and provided sustainable resources for youth mental health and bereavement support.
The event also celebrated 11 Silver Awards, the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette can earn, and 74 Bronze Awards, the highest award a Girl Scout Junior can earn
65 Journey Summit Awards, and 77 Religious Recognitions. 31 girls received 10-Year Membership Pins, and 29 graduating seniors earned Bridge to Adult certificates.
244 Girl Scout Cookie Entrepreneurs were recognized for selling more than 1,000 boxes of cookies. Among them, 47 sold 1,500+ boxes, 29 sold over 2,000, seven exceeded 3,000, three surpassed 4,000, seven hit 5,000, and one exceptional Girl Scout, Grace Pabalan, reached a new council record of 8,060 boxes sold in a single season.
In total, GSGCF Girl Scouts sold over one million boxes of cookies this year and donated more than 41,000 boxes through the Gift of Caring program. A special Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Olivia Trader, who has sold over 50,000 boxes of Cookies during her 13-year Girl Scout journey.
Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc.: Girl Scouts create the world they want to live in and strive to make it better every single day. They explore their strengths, take on new challenges, and can always be themselves, regardless of background or ability. Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida council has a membership of nearly 3,500 girls in grades K-12, and more than 1,500 adult members. GSGCF is chartered by Girl Scouts of the USA and serves girls in ten counties including: Manatee, Hardee, Highlands, Sarasota, DeSoto, Charlotte, Glades, Lee, Hendry, and Collier. The council is governed by a volunteer board of directors who represent the geographic, ethnic, and social demographics of the council’s jurisdiction. For more information about Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida visit www.gsgcf.org.
The Girl Scout motto is “Be prepared,” and seventeen-year-old Catelyn Holcomb is embodying this by making a life-saving impact in her community through her Girl Scout Gold Award project, Operation Hometown Heroes.
This innovative project, developed in collaboration with the Sanibel Fire Department, provided hands-on emergency response training to local youth, equipping them with critical skills in fire safety, CPR, and first aid.
Operation Hometown Heroes was designed to address the lack of accessible emergency response education among young people. Through a two-day interactive camp, Holcomb and her team empowered third through eighth graders with the knowledge and confidence to respond effectively in emergency situations. Campers learned essential life-saving skills, including how to perform CPR, use a fire extinguisher, and administer basic first aid.
“Increasing public awareness and educating the community was the goal of my Gold Award project,” said Holcomb. “By educating children through the camp—and, in turn, their friends and family—I aimed to increase the number of people in my community who know how to perform CPR. This could potentially raise the percentage of individuals who receive immediate CPR above 40% and improve overall survival rates.”
The camp featured demonstrations by local firefighters, police officers, and EMTs, offering participants a firsthand look at the roles of first responders. Hands-on activities included fire extinguisher training, emergency simulations, and interactive lessons on when and how to call 911. The participants also dissected animals and met with detectives to learn about police work.
The success of the program was made possible through the support of local sponsors, including the Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce, Sanibel Glass, Costco, Sanibel Deli, and The Magic Bus. Their contributions helped provide essential materials such as t-shirts, meals, and emergency preparedness resources.
Holcomb’s efforts align with national initiatives aimed at improving public safety awareness and emergency response preparedness. Recognizing the impact of her project, she has begun developing a curriculum that will allow other fire departments to implement similar training programs in their communities.
About the Girl Scout Gold Award
The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest achievement in Girl Scouting, awarded to Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts who identify a community issue and develop sustainable solutions. Gold Award projects require at least 80 hours of work and demonstrate leadership, creativity, and lasting impact.
Show your appreciation for bus drivers by participating in School Bus Driver Appreciation Day on April 22nd!
Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida celebrated School Bus Safety Week in Oct. 2023. (Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida)
Every school day, bus drivers ensure that students get to and from school safely, often going above and beyond to provide a friendly smile, a word of encouragement, and a sense of security. School Bus Driver Appreciation Day, taking place from April 22, is the perfect opportunity to recognize their hard work and dedication.
For Girl Scouts, this is a chance to come together and express gratitude in a meaningful way. On Tuesday, April 22 Girl Scouts can personally deliver thank-you cards to the drivers who keep our communities moving.
Why School Bus Driver Appreciation Day Matters
School bus drivers are often unsung heroes, rising early and navigating busy roads to transport students safely. Many develop strong relationships with the children they drive, offering encouragement and ensuring a safe, positive experience each day. Their job requires patience, attentiveness, and care, and this special day is dedicated to recognizing their invaluable service.
How Girl Scouts Can Participate
Participating in this initiative is simple and impactful. Troops are encouraged to:
✔ Download and print thank-you cards or design your own. ✔ Fill them out together as a troop with personal messages of appreciation. ✔ Wear Girl Scout uniforms to proudly represent the organization. ✔ Deliver the thank-you cards in person to bus drivers.
By delivering thank-you cards directly to the drivers, Girl Scouts can brighten their day and remind them that their work is truly valued. This simple act of kindness strengthens community ties and helps young girls develop empathy and gratitude—key values in Girl Scouting.
Share the Appreciation!
We’d love to see your troop in action! Take photos (with permission) and share them on social media using #ThankYouBusDrivers and tag our account @GirlScoutsofGulfcoastFlorida to spread the love and inspire others to show appreciation.
Victoria Morton, a 17-year-old Girl Scout Ambassador from Troop 00135 in Gulfcoast Council, has earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouting, for her project, Pet Resource Central. With only 5.4% of eligible Girl Scouts earning this distinction, Victoria’s initiative stands as a testament to her leadership, dedication, and commitment to her community.
The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest recognition a Girl Scout can earn. It is the culmination of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, in which Girl Scouts use all the skills and knowledge they have gained through Girl Scouting to identify an issue they care about and develop a plan for sustainable change in their communities. The award requires Girl Scouts to demonstrate proficiency in team leadership, project planning and execution, and outreach, while ensuring their project creates a sustainable, measurable impact on the community. The prestigious award is recognized nationally by GSUSA, as well as by Congress and the U.S. Military.
Recognizing the financial burden pet care can place on low-income families, Victoria launched Pet Resource Central, an initiative aimed at providing essential pet care education and resources. She created a website, petresourcecentral.com, offering information on low-cost and free pet care services, vaccinations, and spay/neuter programs. To ensure accessibility, she distributed over 2,000 pounds of pet food, each bag attached with an informative pamphlet directing pet owners to the website.
Victoria also hosted 13 free pet care events, providing bathing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and teeth brushing, all while educating pet owners on affordable veterinary services.
“My goal was to make sure that pets in low-income households receive the care they deserve, even when their owners face financial hardships,” Victoria said. “Through my website and outreach events, I was able to connect pet owners with the resources they need to keep their animals healthy and happy.”
Victoria’s project has had a lasting impact. She secured partnerships with the Gulf Coast Humane Society and the Community Resource Center of Punta Gorda, ensuring the continued distribution of educational materials and pet food. Additionally, the website will remain active, with updates managed by dedicated volunteers.
Mary Anne Servian, CEO of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, praised Victoria’s efforts: “Earning the Gold Award is an extraordinary achievement, and Victoria embodies the core values of Girl Scouting. This program teaches girls how to communicate effectively and collaborate with their communities to drive meaningful change. Victoria’s initiative not only provided immediate support to pet owners in need but also created lasting partnerships to ensure its impact continues. She has truly made a difference.””
Through her 136.5-hour project, Victoria honed her leadership, problem-solving, and organizational skills. “I learned that even small actions can create a ripple effect,” she reflected. “This project was about more than just pet care—it was about supporting families and ensuring that no one has to choose between feeding their pet and feeding themselves.”
Victoria will be honored at the Young Women of Distinction Ceremony later this year, where she will join an elite group of Girl Scouts who have made significant contributions to their communities through the Gold Award.
For more information on Pet Resource Central, visit petresourcecentral.com.
For more information about Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida or how to join or support a troop, visit www.gsgcf.org.
Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida is proud to announce continued funding from United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties, reinforcing a decades-long partnership that empowers girls through leadership development, STEM education, and financial accessibility to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
United Way has been instrumental in supporting Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida’s mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. The most recent funding allocations will directly enhance programming in Lee, Hendry, and Glades counties by covering membership fees, troop supplies, and program scholarships for families facing financial hardships.
This year, United Way’s funding also helped launch the Mad Lab STEM Program, a hands-on initiative designed to engage girls in science, technology, engineering, and math through immersive learning experiences. The Mad Lab STEM Day at Camp Caloosa in Lee County, hosted in December, introduced Girl Scouts to robotics, engineering challenges, virtual exploration, and interactive science experiments. The girls gained skills and knowledge in a fun and supportive environment.
“United Way’s steadfast partnership allows us to expand our reach and provide life-changing experiences for girls who may not otherwise have access to these opportunities,” said Mary Anne Servian, CEO of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida. “Through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, our unique, results-driven curriculum, girls develop practical skills in leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving—giving them a lifelong advantage in any path they choose. Whether they’re exploring STEM, taking on entrepreneurship, or leading service projects, they gain confidence, resilience, and a strong foundation that will serve them well into adulthood.”
Through this partnership, Girl Scouts in Lee, Hendry, and Glades counties will continue to develop leadership skills, explore career pathways, and engage in meaningful service projects that strengthen their communities.
Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida CEO Mary Anne Servian with Girl Scouts Olivia T. and Mackenzie S.
A groundbreaking study, the State of the Florida Girl Report, has revealed significant challenges facing girls across the state, particularly in academics, physical health, mental wellness, and social well-being. The findings were unveiled on Jan. 29 at the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida headquarters in Sarasota, where CEO Mary Anne Servian underscored the urgency of addressing these issues.
“Through the commissioning of this report, we are taking critical steps toward understanding the challenges girls face in our communities,” Servian said. “We all know that girls are full of potential. But what this research confirms is that today’s girls are facing unprecedented struggles, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. They are struggling in the classroom, in their relationships, and with their mental and emotional health.”
The report, commissioned by the Girl Scouts of Florida—a coalition of six councils serving girls statewide—analyzed publicly available data from reliable sources including the U.S. Census Bureau, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Florida Department of Education. Through unpaid collaborations with peer reviewers in institutions of higher learning across the state of Florida, the areas of analysis and related charts and graphs were reviewed for themes, context, and unintended biases.
The substantiated findings paint a troubling picture of gender disparities in key areas of well-being for Florida youth.
Source: Florida Girl Scouts
Among the most alarming findings:
Girls in Florida are three times more likely than boys to experience sexual violence.
One in six high school girls reported experiencing sexual violence in the past year.
Twice as many girls seriously consider attempting suicide.
More high school girls misuse controlled substances compared to their male peers.
One in eight female students reported missing school due to safety concerns.
More than half (52%) of high school girls reported symptoms of depression.
High school girls are 1.5 times more likely than boys to vape or use nicotine, with nearly 20% engaging in these behaviors.
Servian emphasized that these findings demand action. “We are reaching out to schools, foundations, and elected officials to share this critical information,” she said. “We are meeting with state leaders and policymakers to advocate for stronger mental health support in schools and expanded access to after-school programs.”
Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida Board of Directors Appointed Girl Representative and Gold Award Girl Scout Olivia Trader spoke about how her experience in Girl Scouting over the last 13 years has positively impacted her life.Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida Board of Directors Girl Member at Large, Mackenzie Shockey, shared how Girl Scouts has helped her overcome social anxiety and become a leader in her community.
The Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida will take their advocacy directly to Tallahassee in March, bringing Girl Scouts in grades 7-12 to the Florida Capitol. There, they will meet with legislators and discuss the pressing issues highlighted in the report.
The report also explored the root causes behind these challenges, pointing to the immense social pressures placed on girls. “Several troubling trends presented in the report fundamentally stem from unrealistic expectations,” the study noted. “From body image concerns to rising levels of anxiety and depression, girls are adapting to the damaging demands of social pressure.”
One of the report’s key recommendations is to provide girls with safe, supportive, single-sex environments—such as those offered through Girl Scouts. In girls-only settings, they feel safe to talk about issues they wouldn’t necessarily talk about with boys, try out new activities without a fear of failure, and experience less pressure to look or act a certain way.
“An all-girl environment presents better outcomes in mental health interventions and academic performance,” the report stated. “Girls benefit in deep, important ways from a supportive, all-girl setting that may not always be available through family or school.”
As Florida grapples with these findings, the Girl Scouts of Florida continue to push for systemic change, advocating for policies and programs that will empower girls and help them thrive.
Savannah Stewart, District Aide for Rep. McFarland (HD73) and Debbie Trice, Vice Mayor City of Sarasota attended the event to hear the report’s startling findings.From left: Heather Hackett, founder and CEO of Local Relief; Tim and Cynthia Holliday, owners of Children’s World Uniform Supply and Girl Scout volunteers; Background: Susan Trader, Girl Scout mom and volunteer; and Richard Cyphers, former GSGCF Board President.Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida aims to expand partnerships with local schools, businesses, and organizations to develop new programs and policies that advocate for the well-being of girls in Florida.The Pledge of Allegiance
After Jocelyn was diagnosed with sensory processing disorder, she wanted to help others girls facing similar challenges feel included in Girl Scouts.
Jocelyn N., an 8th-grade member of Girl Scout Troop 721, has earned the prestigious Girl Scout Silver Award for her project titled “Girl Scouts Is for Everyone.” Jocelyn’s project exemplifies the Girl Scouts’ core values of inclusion by creating tools to support girls with sensory-related disorders such as autism and sensory processing disorder (SPD).
The Girl Scout Silver Award is the highest honor a Girl Scout Cadette (grades 6–8) can earn. It recognizes girls who identify an issue they care about, create a sustainable solution, and make a measurable impact on their communities. By earning this award, Jocelyn joins a legacy of Girl Scouts who have demonstrated leadership, innovation, and a commitment to improving the world.
For her Silver Award, Jocelyn designed and distributed portable sensory bags to troop leaders within her council. Each lightweight bag includes fidget toys, sensory items, sunglasses, earplugs, and educational resources on SPD, along with instructions for calming techniques. To ensure the sustainability of her project, Jocelyn created a website where Girl Scout leaders can learn about sensory challenges and replenish kits as needed.
Jocelyn shared that this project is close to my heart because she has experienced sensory challenges herself. She believes that Girl Scouts is a place where every girl should feel welcome. “I wanted to help create an environment where all girls can succeed,” she said.
The Girl Scouts organization is committed to welcoming girls of all backgrounds and abilities and fostering an inclusive and safe space where every member can thrive. To further this mission, Girl Scouts recently expanded tools to support girls with special needs in accessing and achieving the highest awards, such as the Gold Award. By creating a formal process for girls to request accommodations while pursuing the Highest Award, Girl Scouts has ensured that no girl will face barriers to her success.
The Gold Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout can achieve, is designed with flexibility to meet the individual needs of each girl. Advisors can work with Girl Scouts on a case-by-case basis to provide accommodations, ensuring that all girls can accomplish their goals to the best of their ability.
“Girl Scouts believe in the power of all girls,” said Mary Anne Servian, CEO of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida. “Jocelyn’s project beautifully reflects our commitment to inclusivity and demonstrates how Girl Scouts can truly make the world a better place.”
Girls needing accommodations while pursuing the Girl Scout Highest Awards can request them through the new Special Factors section of GoGold Online, ensuring they have the tools and support necessary to succeed.
Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. 