Tag Archives: Gold Award

Fort Myers Teen Earns Prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award for Mental Health Project Supporting Student-Athletes

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida is proud to announce that Anna Sherman, a recent graduate at Florida Southwestern Collegiate High School, has earned the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award—the highest honor a Girl Scout can achieve.

For her project, Athletic Zen: Building Mindfulness in Sports, Anna devoted 80 hours to creating resources that address the stress and pressure faced by student-athletes. Through a website, guidebook, and workshops, she provided mindfulness practices, journaling prompts, coloring pages, and videos to help athletes, coaches, and parents manage anxiety, strengthen focus, and build resilience. Her work ensures that student-athletes at her school and beyond have sustainable tools to support their mental well-being, including physical guidebooks now available in the school counselor’s office and a digital Canvas page for ongoing access.

The Girl Scout Gold Award recognizes fewer than 6% of Girl Scouts annually and challenges young women to identify a community need, develop a sustainable solution, and demonstrate leadership while dedicating at least 80 hours to their project. Gold Award Girl Scouts stand out in college applications, earn scholarships, and gain recognition from institutions and organizations nationwide.

“Anna’s project shows how important it is to support mental health in athletics,” said Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida CEO Mary Anne Servian. “Girl Scouts encourages girls to be friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, and to make the world a better place: it’s right in our Girl Scout Law. Anna’s Gold Award project exemplifies these values, and the resources she created will support students for years to come.”

According to the State of the Florida Girl Report, over half of Florida girls felt sad or hopeless for 2+ weeks in a row, and 1 in 4 seriously considered attempting suicide.

The report also found that in Girl Scouts, adult volunteers like troop leaders are proven to support overall positive mental health in girls. In fact, in a 2020 study focused on mental health support, girls cited their troop leader as the #1 source of positive mental health – above friends, family, and school.

With her Gold Award project, Anna has joined generations of Girl Scouts who have made sustainable change in their communities while exemplifying courage, confidence, and character.##

Naples Girl Scout Brings Teens and Seniors Together to Craft for Children in Need

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

Club leader Ava Williams earned the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award

Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida proudly celebrates Ava Williams, a senior at Gulf Coast High School in Naples, for earning the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting. Ava devoted over 80 hours to her project, Threads of Comfort, which focused on supporting children in need while fostering intergenerational community connections.

Through her project, Ava created a crochet and craft club that brought together Youth Haven teens and local older adults to make handmade blankets, stuffed animals, and other comfort items for children experiencing illness, trauma, or other challenging circumstances. The intergenerational club provided opportunities for participants to learn new skills, share experiences, and collaborate to create meaningful, lasting support for children in the community.

The intergenerational craft club crocheted blankets, hats, and stuffies for residents at Youth Haven SWFL.

Youth Heaven is Southwest Florida’s only emergency shelter for neglected, abused, and homeless children and teens. The stuffed comfort items the club created were donated to the shelter.

Ava also developed resources to ensure her project’s sustainability, including a guide for future club leaders on organizing crafts, sourcing materials, and facilitating meetings. She donated supplies and educational materials to Youth Haven, enabling the residents to continue the club’s activities and benefit from her program.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest and more honorable achievement in
Girl Scouting, requiring leadership, planning, and a commitment to making a measurable difference in the community. Less than 6% of eligible Girl Scouts ever earn this prestigious award. Projects like Ava’s demonstrate the core mission of Girl Scouting: building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.

Ava’s accomplishment is an inspiring example of how the Girl Scout Gold Award empowers girls to address real-world issues, lead community projects, and leave a lasting legacy.

Stuffed animals, blankets, and hats crocheted by club members were donated to Youth Haven SWFL.

One Girl Scout’s Advocacy Helps Pass Life-Saving Baby Box Bill

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

Kaylee Jones, a 17-year-old Girl Scout from the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, is on the verge of making history. As she works toward earning her prestigious Gold Award, the bill she has spent nearly two years advocating for—Florida Senate Bill 1690—is set to be signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis.

The bill expands the use of Safe Haven Baby Boxes across Florida. These secure, temperature-controlled boxes are installed at designated fire stations and hospitals, providing a safe, anonymous way for parents in crisis to surrender their newborns without fear, shame, or legal repercussions.

For Kaylee, this mission is rooted in her own life story as a child who was adopted.

“I know first-hand that not all moms, and especially teenage moms, always have a plan for after the birth of their child. “I was inspired to work on this project due to my past. My birth parents were 16 years old and did not have supportive families,” she said.

Her birth father tried to care for her during the first two months of her life, but ultimately made the difficult decision to place her for adoption, giving her a second chance.

“I am so thankful that I was not illegally abandoned, and this strengthens my desire to help prevent baby abandonment deaths,” she shared.

Her Gold Award project combines public education and legislative advocacy to raise awareness about the benefits of Safe Haven Baby Boxes and increase their availability in Florida communities.

“Women in a crisis pregnancy situation will now have a completely anonymous option to surrender their infant. It is my hope that offering these baby boxes will help eliminate baby abandonments. Using these baby boxes will provide the mother an opportunity with no shame, no blame, and no name.”

She is hopeful the new law will reassure moms in crisis that their babies can be safely and lovingly placed for adoption, without fear of legal repercussions for the birth parents.

She credits much of her confidence and communication skills to her 11 years in Girl Scouts.

“Ever since I started Girl Scouts 12 years ago, I have greatly improved my skills in public speaking and how to get into contact with important people. Doing cookie booths helped me learn how to communicate with people and how to organize my time. Cookie booths taught me to shoot for the sky with my goals, and I’ve carried that over to my Gold Award.”

Throughout her advocacy journey, Kaylee met with lawmakers, collaborated with nonprofits, and educated the public on the need for safe, legal alternatives for surrendering infants. Her work helped garner support for SB 1690, which she believes will help save lives.

“I have learned a lot about the political and legal process and that it is hard to get everyone to agree on an issue even if it will benefit the citizens. Working on this project for nearly two years has taught me you need to persevere and be determined to get the results you want. I have met several politicians and other people who were able to help make a big impact and help the bill get passed.”

Kaylee’s work is not done. Now that the legislative arm of her project is complete, she is turning her focus to serving moms in her own local community by working with the Fort Myers Fire Department and Safe Haven Baby Box to install a box right here in Fort Myers.

“These baby boxes are installed due to public interest. All you need to do is contact Safe Haven Baby Box and ask how to begin the process. They will walk you through how to contact fire stations and find one that is open to having a baby box installed. Once there is a contract in place, then they need to help find a contractor and an alarm system to install the baby box. Once there is a contract, fundraising can begin.”

She also shared a heartfelt message for mothers facing difficult decisions.

“I want mothers in crisis to know they don’t have to do this alone. They can call the hotline and talk to someone about what they are going through. They will be informed of their options, receive emotional support and get help to make the best decision for them and their baby. There should be no shame, no blame and no name. The choice to safely surrender your infant may be hard, but sometimes the best choices are the hardest ones to make.”

Port Charlotte Girl Scout Earns Prestigious Gold Award Providing Resources and Free Pet Care to Community Members

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

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.

New Report Highlights Disparities Facing Florida Girls in Education, Health

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida
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 report is available to read and download on the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida website.

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

Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida Soar at Naples Airport’s Girls in Aviation Day

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

Over 50 eager Girl Scouts from across the Gulfcoast Florida region gathered at Naples Airport on Saturday, September 21, for an inspiring Girls in Aviation Day event, hosted in partnership with the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida.

This special event, designed to empower young girls with knowledge about aviation and highlight women’s contributions in the field, featured an engaging tour of Naples Airport. Participants had the unique opportunity to explore various aircraft, guided by experienced professionals.

Highlights of the day included hands-on activities such as sitting in a Cessna, practicing a pilot’s checklist, and mastering airfield communication using marshalling signals.

The event also included a captivating Q&A session with a female pilot, providing valuable insights into the excitement and possibilities within the aviation industry. This interactive session encouraged girls to consider aviation not only as a thrilling hobby but also as a promising career path.

“This event was a fantastic opportunity for our Girl Scouts to explore the world of aviation firsthand,” Mary Anne Servian, CEO at Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida. “We’re grateful to Naples Airport for their partnership in making this day both educational and inspirational. Experiences like these help our girls envision their futures in fields they may not have previously considered.”

Girls in Aviation Day at Naples Airport was open exclusively to registered Girl Scout adult members with approved background checks, ensuring a safe and enriching environment for all participants. Adults were able to register on a first-come, first-served basis, reflecting the event’s popularity and the community’s enthusiasm for introducing girls to new opportunities.