Thursday, August 7, 2014

Girl Scout wins Gold Award with Assisting Superhero Sibilings Project

Mallie, an 11th grader at John Carroll Catholic High School, recently earned the Girl Scout Gold Award. Mallie earned her Gold Award with her project “Assisting Superhero Siblings”. Her project focused on bringing support and awareness to the siblings of children with chronic arthritis. Mallie says that siblings can often feel overlooked or feel confused while their family members are dealing with the course of the disease.  She implemented the “rice bag project,” which included a rice bag with instructions on how to heat or cool it for the sick child. Mallie says this provides an opportunity for siblings of children with chronic arthritis to feel helpful and heard.

“The results of my surveys show that siblings want to help their brother or sister with arthritis,” Mallie said. “This project may mean nothing to people who have not gone through the struggles or heartbreak of a disease such as arthritis, but if even one family becomes closer, or one child understands that he or she is not alone, I will consider the project to be a roaring success.”

“By earning the Girl Scout Gold Award,” said Melva Tate, interim chief executive officer of the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama. “Mallie 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.

About Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama

Girl Scouting gives every girl access to life-changing experiences that inspire her to do something BIG! Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama is a United Way community partner and serves over 15,000 girl members ages 5-17 and 5,000 volunteers in programs across 36 counties. For more information, call 800-734-4541 or visit girlscoutsnca.org.