Girl Scout Earns Gold Award with Asperger's Awareness Project

Julie, a graduate of Bob Jones High School, recently earned the Girl Scout Gold Award. Ashley earned her Gold Award for her project Asperger’s Awareness. Asperger’s is a mild form of Autism, and because people often do not know how to diagnose or treat it, Julie wanted to educate people so the students affected by it will do well in school. She put together a presentation and pamphlets for the groups she spoke to, and she was able to share her personal experiences of watching her brother struggle with Asperger’s. Her presentation helped teachers better understand their students’ behaviors. Julie’s project helped grow her leadership and research skills, which will benefit her when she goes to college and graduate school.

“I was able to help people in my community learn about a worldwide problem,” said Julie.

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