Samantha
Vaphiades, a 2014 graduate of John Carroll Catholic High School, recently
earned the Girl Scout Gold Award. Vaphiades earned her Gold Award for her
project A Pathway to Beauty. Her project focused on enriching the lives of the
senior citizens at St. Martins in the Pines by creating wheelchair accessible
activities. Vaphiades organized the building of a stone pathway to the raised
gardens so that residents in wheelchairs have access to the planters. Ingram
planted vegetables that the residents will take care of, and she says they are
relearning the skills of gardening and setting daily goals for themselves.
“Working on
this project has brought me closer to the senior citizens in the community and
has helped me to see how disabilities impact so many,” Vaphiades said. “Working
with the senior citizens in the gardens has given them a purpose to their day
as they take care of their own plants. The pathway and gardens have inspired
other Girl Scout troops to participate in planting with seniors.”
“By earning
the Girl Scout Gold Award,” said Debbie McDowell-Tate, senior director of membership, volunteers and program with
the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama, “Samantha 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 are 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.
About
Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama
Girl
Scouting gives every girl access to life-changing experiences that inspire her
to do something BIG! Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama is a United Way
community partner and serves over 15,000 girl members grades K-12 and 5,000
volunteers in programs across 36 counties. For more information, call
800-734-4541 or visit girlscoutsnca.org.