Rachel, a senior at Mars Hill Bible School, recently earned the Girl Scout Gold Award for her project The Forgotten of India. Her project focused on the plight of widows and orphans in India. She gave presentations to raise awareness about the poverty, lack of education and culture that contribute to the problem. As part of her project, Rachel worked with the Jack Nelle Institute, whose work focuses on these issues. While working with the organization’s staff, Rachel identified several internal needs to make the Institute’s work more efficient and that would also broaden its reach. She designed marketing materials including a logo, letterhead and newsletter templates. She also designed and trained the staff on a database allowing them to track and evaluate the organization’s impact locally and in India.
“I would like to see more people help India whether that be through an organization or not,” said Rachel. “I want to see a true passion and desire to help those less fortunate than us, and I hope I planted the seed to do this.”
“By earning the Girl Scout Gold Award,” said Trish Coghlan, chief executive officer of the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama, “Rachel 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 Scouts 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.
