Isabel Estes, a
junior at Homewood High School, recently earned the
Girl Scout Gold Award. Estes earned her Gold
Award for her project, “Vamos a la Escuela” which
addressed the lack of readiness that Hispanic children often experience when
entering kindergarten. Estes worked with HICA, the Hispanic Interest Coalition,
to create a camp to teach children skills such as using scissors, identifying
colors or simply being away from their family, that are often missed when
children don’t attend a preschool.
“As I continued both in Girl
Scouts and observing community issues, I heard a conversation that peaked my
interest about how some children who head to kindergarten have never been in
any type of school setting,” Estes said. “I wondered how they knew how to “get
in line” or “be a scissors monitor” since those aren’t things you would hear in
a home setting.”
“[By completing
this project] I feel like I realized that I am a leader. I gained confidence in
speaking, in setting up meetings, in following through and figuring out what to
do when things don’t go as planned.”
Estes plans to
share her lesson plans with her church, school and other places in her
community to hopefully be an inspiration to continue. She plans to continue the
project in Homewood in 2017.
“By earning the Girl Scout
Gold Award,” said Karen Peterlin, chief executive officer of the Girl Scouts of
North-Central Alabama, “Isabel 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 14,000 strong—9,500
girls and 5,000 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.
