Jenetta Lymon, a senior at Sparkman High School, earned the Girl Scout
Gold Award. Lymon earned her Gold Award for her project, Beautiful Minds, which
focused on educating the community about learning disabilities, with the main
focus of bringing light to to dyslexia. Lymon held various workshops in her
community, bringing experts in to talk with teachers and parents about the
importance of offering programming for students with dyslexia and
providing
resources to those in need.
Lymon said her Gold Award topic was inspired by her brother Joshua, who
who diagnosed with dyslexia.
“My
family found out when he was about seven and it was very difficult to watch him
struggle in certain areas of his school work through out the years,” Lymon
said. “My mother had a hard time finding resources to help him as a student and
to help herself as a parent of a student that was struggling with this
disorder. When I was thinking about my [Gold Award] topic I wanted to do
something I knew would be beneficial to the community but was also dear to my
heart.”
She held her workshops with the help of a topic expert, Dr. Denise Gibbs
of the Scottish Rite Foundation of Alabama Learning Centers.
"Jenetta's project was so timely," said Dr. Gibbs. "She assembled teachers, parents and community members to learn about the issue at the same time that the State Board of Education was working on an amendment that now gives schools the ability to screen and provide services to children with dyslexia before it becomes an advanced learning disability."
"Jenetta is obviously a remarkable young woman," said Dr. Gibbs. "And I have no doubt the skills she has gained through Girl Scouting and used to complete this project will take her far in life."
Lymon’s
project will be sustained beyond her involvement through a Facebook page that
she created where people can get information on dyslexia and share resources
amongst the page viewers: www.facebook.com/helpingotherbeautifulminds
“By earning the Girl Scout Gold Award,” said Mary Charles, interim chief
executive officer of the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama, “Jenetta 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
Girl Scout Gold Award
Since 1916, Girl Scouts have been making meaningful,
sustainable change in their communities and around the world. The Girl Scout
Gold Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout can earn, acknowledges the power
behind each recipient’s dedication to not only empowering and bettering
herself, but also to making the world a better place for others. These young
women are courageous leaders and visionary change makers. They are our
future, and it looks bright! To learn more about the Girl Scout Gold Award,
visit girlscoutsnca.org.
About
Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama
We're over 18,000 strong—14,000 girls and 4,000
adults in 36 counties in the state of Alabama who believe girls can change the
world. It began over 100 years ago with one woman, Girl Scouts' founder
Juliette Gordon "Daisy" Low, who believed in the power of every girl.
She organized the first Girl Scout troop on March 12, 1912, in Savannah,
Georgia, and every year since, we've made her vision a reality, helping girls
discover their strengths, passions, and talents. Today we continue the Girl
Scout mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make
the world a better place. Girl Scouts is the preeminent leadership development
organization for girls. Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama is a United Way
partner. To volunteer, reconnect, donate, or join, visit www.girlscoutsnca.org or
call 800-734-4541.
