Monday, February 25, 2013

Dog Safety Project Earns Gold Award

Carron, a freshman at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and graduate of Sparkman High School, recently earned the Girl Scout Gold Award. Carron earned her Gold Award for her project The North Alabama Dog Safety Seminar. She organized a free seminar teaching families how to protect themselves from vicious dogs and how to be responsible dog owners. Experts including a veterinarian, K-9 unit police officer and an attorney gave demonstrations, passed out literature and talked about common issues such as spaying/neutering, dog health, dog bites/aggressiveness and dogs’ memories of past abuse/fear. Children could also take part in activities, including inflatables, games, prizes and face painting.

“The most successful aspect of my project was finding unique ways to get 160-180 children in attendance of all ages to stay engaged for about one and one-half hours thinking about dog safety, and empowering parents to make wise decisions when introducing a dog into the home…,” said Carron.

“By earning the Girl Scout Gold Award,” said Trish Coghlan, chief executive officer of the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama, “Carron 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.

The Girl Scout 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.