Saturday, November 8, 2008

Gold Awardees

The Girl Scout Gold Award is highest level of Girl Scout achievement. This award recognizes the Girl Scout Senior's or Ambassador's commitment to herself, her community, and her future. 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.


Claire (Vestavia)
Vestavia Hills High School/Auburn University
With the help of volunteers that she coordinated, Claire transformed the outside area at the Eastside Mental Health Facility. The most important thing that Claire learned was flexibility. "Just as I started my project, the worst drought in 100 years hit Birmingham and we were put under water restrictions," said Claire. "I had to readjust my timeline." 


Shannon (Vestavia) 
Vestavia Hills High School
Shannon made several fleece blankets for the Greater Birmingham Ministries. Shannon feels that she learned a great deal about herself. "I learned to motivate myself to get things done!" Shannon also now understands the importance of giving back to her own community, and hopes to continue community service in college. 


Heather (Huntsville)
Grissom High School/University of Alabama at Huntsville
 

Heather researched, organized and put together an art booklet, and did presentations for boys and girls, ages 5-12, about Maria Howard Weeden, a painter during the Civil War era in Huntsville. Heather learned valuable presentation skills, and not to sell herself short…she can be good at something she originally thought she wouldn't.

Vernice (Harvest)
Sparkman High School/Stillman College
Vernice organized a seminar to teach people about autism. By using expert speakers, handouts, professional resources, and activity books for children, she made her community aware of specific interventions and teaching strategies. Through her the planning and execution of this project, Vernice learned the importance of starting early and the importance of securing your own resources.