Savannah, a senior at Virgil Grissom High School, recently earned the Girl Scout Gold Award. Savannah earned her Gold Award for her project Habitat for Bats. She was concerned about the rapid decline of the bat population and its effect on the larger ecosystem, so she built bat houses and educated people to give them a greater appreciation for bats. She held workshops throughout Huntsville and Madison, and she created information on bat houses for future Girl Scout troops so they can build more bat houses and continue to protect the animals. Through her project, Savannah’s leadership skills increased as she organized large groups of people to come together. She hopes there will soon be more bat sightings in the area as a result of the bat house protection.“When I found out how important the local caves were to many endangered bats, I felt inspired to tell people and teach them,” said Savannah. “This way the world would spread about how important the local ecosystems are.”
“By earning the Girl Scout Gold Award,” said Melva Tate, interim chief executive officer of the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama, “Savannah has become a community leader. Her accomplishments reflect leadership and citizenship skills that set her apart.”
The girl who goes for the Gold embraces challenges, achieves excellence, and works diligently to make the world a better place, in her own unique way. Her leadership, vision, and boundless energy is an inspiration to all Girl Scouts. Each girl earning her Gold Award demonstrates excellence through a leadership project totaling more than 65 hours. Girls who earn their Gold Award are also recognized by the President of the United States, the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Armed Services, state legislatures, colleges and universities for admission and scholarship opportunities, and the American Legion. Some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award recipients, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements.
About Girl Scout Gold Award
The Gold Award represents the highest achievement in Girl Scouting; it recognizes girls in grades 9 through 12 who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through sustainable and measurable Take Action projects. Since 1916, girls have successfully answered the call to go gold, an act that indelibly marks them as accomplished members of their communities and the world. For more information about the Gold Award, visit girlscoutsnca.org/gogold.
