Altamont Junior's Garden for Glenwood Project Earns Gold Award

Isabella, a junior at the Altamont School, recently earned the Girl Scout Gold Award. Isabella earned her Gold Award for her project A Garden for Glenwood. Her project focused on providing a garden for the children at Glenwood Autism and Behavioral Health Center. While the adults at Glenwood had access to gardening, the children did not, and Isabella wanted to provide this activity for them. After researching the therapeutic benefits of gardening and finding that gardening activities benefit children with behavioral issues, Isabella designed a garden plan and coordinated with Home Depot and Lowe’s to obtain supplies for the project. She spoke to a class at her school about her project, presenting to them an area of the community about which they knew little. A Glenwood employee and an Altamont student will sustain her project into the future.

“I believe that giving the children at Glenwood the opportunity to plant, water and harvest vegetables, herbs and fruits in a garden of their own would nurture their curiosity, confidence and sense of ownership. This project also allows the children to bond with and appreciate the wonders of Mother Nature,” said Isabella. 

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