Girl Scout Gold Award

Reaching the Pinnacle of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience

Each Gold Awardee spends 2 to 3 years completing a seven-step process that includes honing her leadership skills and investigating career options. Then, based on her personal interests, she executes an original service project that addresses a community need.

View a photo gallery of the 2010 Gold Award Recipients

To learn more about the Girl Scout Gold Award, please visit our Gold Award page.

Meet this year's Gold Award recipients of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place, and learn about the projects they created.

Alison A.
Alison helped educate Poway residents and Old Poway Park's 50,000 yearly visitors about the park's plant life. She organized and worked with research, construction and installation crews to create informational signs for 55 different plants, and held three creek clean-up days at Rattlesnake Creek.

Brooke B.
Brooke organized and ran a four-day volleyball camp for incoming freshmen at Mission Hills High School. Campers learned a new sport and interacted with volleyball team volunteers and coaches. After the camp, a record number of students tried out for the team.

Erin B.
Remembering how it felt to be labeled a "slow learner" in elementary school, Erin wanted to demonstrate that children with learning disabilities are creative and capable. She helped mentally challenged students create a variety of art projects to enter in the San Diego County Fair.

Adelle B.
Adelle worked with local schools and other organizations to organize an ongoing, self-sustaining used clothing drive benefitting local, underserved children and a girls' orphanage in Mexico. She also collected 150 gently used children's books for a mobile library.

Jordan B.
A passionate animal lover, Jordan addressed the problem of homeless animals and overpopulated shelters by holding educational workshops for elementary school children. Participants learned about pet care, being a responsible pet owner, animal overpopulation, and spaying and neutering.

Chelsea B.
Chelsea started a club at her school to raise awareness of an African community in need and to give students an opportunity to help other students. Inspired by the Kenyan students and their love of art, the club held an international art exhibition showcasing works from students at both schools.

Destiny B.
Destiny shared her love of reading with more than 600 children at Eastlake Elementary School. With a goal of encouraging a lifelong love for literature, she read aloud to a fifth grade class and facilitated a related writing assignment. She then organized a school wide book exchange.

Shreya C.
Shreya produced a sold-out performing arts festival that showcased the benefits of participating in the arts. She recruited young performers from across the county to exhibit culturally and artistically diverse acts, and created a website documenting the event.

Christy C.
Christy organized a summer music program to raise awareness about the important role libraries play in the community. More than 230 people attended her concerts and craft and story time sessions. She also created an instrument display case and recommended reading lists for program attendees.

Michelle C.
Michelle welcomed new Carmel Valley residents with community resources and a multicultural fair. She developed a brochure and website–both in multiple languages–with information about local activities, resources and organizations. The fair featured ethnic food and games, and provided information about diverse cultures.

Caitlin C.
Caitlin hosted a special dinner for more than 70 sick and injured veterans at the Balboa Navy Hospital's Medical Hold Platoon, an all-forces outpatient unit. She also collected basic care items and clothing for newly discharged patients, entertained inpatients with activities, and provided homemade cookies.

Laurel D.
Laurel led children with special education needs in a campus beautification project at their school. Participants painted fanciful designs on the school's trash cans, creating something they could be proud of and share with their peers.

Denise D.
Denise encouraged students to stay involved in instrumental music by providing free afterschool music workshops, where Westview High School band and orchestra members tutored middle school musicians one-on-one. The program will continue through the high school's Modern Music Masters chapter.

Kati D.
Based on her belief that the performing arts build self-esteem, Kati worked with Shawna H. to teach a musical theater workshop for girls. Participants learned dances, songs and warm-ups, eventually gaining the self confidence to perform individually and in a group at the closing Broadway showcase.

Aimee F.
Aimee fulfilled her longtime desire to teach children to appreciate books and enjoy learning. Working with middle school student volunteers, she assembled 30 literature bags, complete with felt characters and props, and distributed them to preschool and kindergarten classrooms.

Jillian F.
Jillian inspired San Marcos teens to become more active in their community by raising awareness of local service opportunities. She hosted a week-long volunteer fair at her school and created and distributed 15 community service opportunity books to area teachers and advisors.

Natalie G.
Natalie taught an Irish dance, language and culture class for elementary school children. Each week, they learned dance steps, practiced basic Gaelic phrases and experienced a different aspect of Irish culture–ranging from enjoying native food to listening to live music.

Cherise G.
Cherise empowered students to help others by leading prom attire and school supply drives at her high school. Homeless youth at the Monarch School received the collected goods. Now an ongoing project, the drives will be expanded to reach underprivileged students at Cherise's school.

Robin G.
Robin obtained recycling bins for the December Nights community festival, and staffed them with volunteers to educate attendees about recycling. Proceeds helped to fund young adult job training programs. Robin's project inspired the permanent placement of recycling bins in Balboa Park.

Kaylin G.
Kaylin developed and led workshops addressing gender inequality and girl empowerment. Reaching out to Girl Scouts, leaders and community members, she and her team of trained volunteers equipped girls with basic tools to set and achieve their goals.

Phoebe G.
Phoebe and her partner, Katie H., introduced younger girls to the fashion industry during a five-day fashion camp that focused on positive body image. Girls learned practical life skills that ranged from sewing on a button and caring for their skin properly to interacting with girls they had just met.

Katherine H.
Katie and Phoebe G. addressed the serious issue of body image in the fashion industry by planning and executing a camp for young girls. The camp focused on boosting confidence, physical and mental health, and tolerance for others. It culminated in a fashion show for parents.

Jordan H.
Jordan teamed with the youth of the Ascension Lutheran Children's Center to create and grow an organic vegetable garden. Using the vegetables they harvested, she cooked nutritious dishes and helped them gain an appreciation for nature and fresh, healthy foods.

Shawna H.
Shawna, a passionate dancer, teamed with Kati D. to lead a five-day musical theater workshop for preteen girls. Shawna and Kati designed activities that showcased original choreography and gave the girls a chance to be themselves as they learned skills in a safe environment.

Megan H.
Megan organized multiple collection drives benefitting orphans in Tijuana. She and a team of volunteers delivered hundreds of pieces of clothing, toys, bilingual books and homemade blankets to the orphanage. They spent the day entertaining the children with games and activities.

Evelyn H.
Evelyn started a competitive robotics team at Casita Center Elementary School, teaching students how to build and program robots. Despite being one of the newest teams, it placed in the top third of Legoland's FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) LEGO League Cup.

Nicole I.
Nicole educated more than 100 children about nutrition, making better food choices and taking control of their health. She taught them how to create healthy meals and snacks for a strong mind and body. Each child received a recipe book so he/she could replicate the meals at home.

Rebecca K.
Rebecca introduced middle school girls to lacrosse as a way to build confidence and be active. She recruited players and coaches for a San Diego County league team, which she managed throughout the season. She also organized a board of parents who will continue to manage the team.

Alaina K.
Alaina created a comprehensive emergency preparedness and horse evacuation plan for the stable that boards her horses. She led a discussion about emergency procedures, organized an evacuation drill with other horse owners, and shared her preparedness packet with other equestrian venues.

Ashley M.
Ashley planned and led a tennis clinic for fourth and fifth grade girls. Over four Saturdays, she and her volunteers taught 16 participants the basics of tennis and the importance of stretching and eating healthy foods. Ashley kept the sessions fun by including games and prizes.

Ashley M.
Ashley started a weekly music program at the Poway Senior Center. She played piano at Wednesday lunches and led sing-alongs with live musical accompaniment on Thursday afternoons. Ashley wrapped up the program with a lively talent show that included singing, dancing and comedy acts.

Cameron M.
By creating a butterfly garden on their patio, Cameron encouraged seniors at an assisted living facility to get outdoors and enjoy sunshine. She held two garden tea parties to present her project and increase membership in the facility's garden club, which collaborated with her to design the planters.

Erin M.
Erin raised awareness of hunger in Africa by organizing a "30 Hour Famine" event where 23 participants stopped eating for 30 hours to experience what children in Africa live with on a daily basis. She and her partner, Alexis Wilhem, also hosted a well-attended educational exhibit about conditions in Africa.

Katherine M.
Katherine taught families how to make wise choices on social networking sites. She held three free classes throughout San Diego that addressed current issues such as cyberbullying, sexting and security. FBI agents were available to answer questions at the conclusion of each session.

Kiera M.
Kiera brought her community together with a banquet and temporary museum recognizing the 50th anniversary of her high school. Generations of students gathered to bond over stories, school spirit, warm memories and shared gratitude for their experiences at Hilltop High School.

Carolyn O.
Carolyn delivered a four-session summer program for adults with neurological developmental disorders. She planned carnival-style activities, dinner and a movie each week to give group home residents opportunities to interact with other adults, children and residents.

Julia P.
Julia organized three parties for seniors in low-income housing, to provide them with some peace, fun and companionship during the holidays. Partygoers enjoyed socializing, tasting nutritious food, learning about healthy living, and participating in crafts and entertainment.

Sasha P.
Sasha gave presentations to eight elementary school classes about the importance of water conservation, and how San Diegans can help. Sasha and her volunteers also distributed 500 flyers with water conservation tips to dentists' and doctors' offices.

Amber P.
Amber organized and led a week-long camp to inspire girls to appreciate the arts. Each day she exposed the girls to a different artist and art media. On the final day, she hosted an art show displaying the girls' completed projects. Campers also decorated recycling bins for Amber's school.

Courtney P.
Courtney organized drama workshops for third- through fifth-graders. In addition to helping the children become more socially comfortable, the workshops used hands-on games, warm-ups and lessons to help them appreciate and understand the work that goes into each show.

Amanda P.
Amanda created Art 4 Kids, a club at her high school to serve the community through art. Members helped Amanda lead arts and crafts activities at the Ronald McDonald House, and empowered children at a local event to help others by making placemats for recipients of Mama's Kitchen meal deliveries.

Tali R.
Tali created a memorial library for the Jenna Druck Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports families that have lost a child. After raising nearly $3,000, she purchased over 200 new books and created memorial book plates featuring her original painting.

Erin R.
Erin gave presentations to local Girl Scouts, friends and neighbors about the harmful environmental impact of plastic bags. She and her volunteers made and distributed more than 100 reusable bags, along with a fact sheet about the dangers of plastic waste.

Heather S.
Heather spoke to various groups to raise awareness of Kenyan communities in need, and to collect donations to purchase supplies for an orphanage. She raised enough funds to send each child at the orphanage a hand-sewn bag of new school supplies and hygiene products.

Jessica S.
Jessica introduced fine arts to the students of Glenview Elementary. She led three art lessons, and painted a globe mural that helped the children learn the continents. By incorporating their handprints into the mural, she allowed the students to leave a lasting mark at their school.

Hillary S.
Hillary taught middle school students about the current water shortage in Southern California, why shortages occur and how they can help through water conservation. She reached 205 students at three schools, more than double her original goal.

Alyssa S.
Alyssa provided the Rancho Bernardo Historical Society with a pamphlet, PowerPoint presentation, film and worksheets to help children learn about, and take interest, in local history. The materials were based on school curriculum. She also taught a leather craft and built a wooden cow for children to lasso.

Caitlin S.
Recalling the dread and uncertainty that can arise while trying out for a new sport, Caitlin organized and ran field hockey clinics to prepare middle school girls for upcoming tryouts. In addition to covering skills and rules of the game and providing field play, the sessions boosted the girls' confidence.

Catherine S.
Catherine led a volunteer work crew in restoring Rancho Penasquitos Preserve's trails and fences. She guided 11 hikes with a variety of community groups–giving many an opportunity to discover the preserve's natural beauty for the first time. She also created a pamphlet with trail safety guidelines.

Janell S.
Janell created a haven for children who prefer quiet games during recess at El Camino Creek Elementary School. She enlisted help from people in her community to paint a United States map and two checkerboards on the blacktop, as well as wooden checker pieces.

Cassandra S.
Cassandra developed and implemented a one-week workshop for the children of Mi Escuelita Therapeutic Preschool. Focusing on creative exploration, her curriculum included daily art projects and outdoor activities. She also organized a communitywide school supply drive to benefit the students.

Kimberly S.
Kimberly obtained and installed an automatic external defibrillator (AED) at her school, and held a series of CPR/AED classes to prepare students and community members to deal with cardiac and other emergencies. Using money from course fees, she started a trust fund to cover the AED's maintenance.

Karissa V.
Working with a team of researchers and tour guides, Karissa took La Mesa locals back in time. She designed a downtown walking tour that entertained and educated them about the history of their town, and outfitted each historical business with an informative plaque.

Cassidy W.
Cassidy created an organ donation and transplant awareness documentary featuring interviews with donors and recipients. She and her partner, Marissa W., showed the documentary at San Diego high schools to raise awareness about the need for organ donors and to encourage students to register.

Marissa W.
Working closely with local organizations, hospitals and her partner Cassidy W., Marissa filmed and edited a documentary based on interviews of past organ recipients and people on the organ waiting list. She held viewings at high schools to encourage students to register to become donors.

Alexis W.
Alexis organized a "30 Hour Famine" event to raise awareness and assistance for suffering families in Africa. Featuring information booths and entertainment, the event raised $500 in cash donations. Alexis also collected hundreds of blankets and books from donations drives.