Monday, August 4, 2014

Girl Scout inspires others to give, earns Gold



To some, going gold means being the winner—the fastest, the most competitive, or the one who fought the hardest.

For Girl Scouts, going gold means earning the highest achievement in Girl Scouting, the Gold Award. This award recognizes girls in grades 9 through 12 who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through sustainable and measurable Take Action projects that address important community needs.

The goal of Julie Pace’s project, “Hearts of Gold," was to motivate other people to become involved in several community services in the Erie area. She organized and trained separate teams of volunteers who helped a local church adopt a neighborhood, served food to the less fortunate at the Erie City Mission, raised over 450 pounds of food for the Waterford Food Pantry, and who sent thank you notes and snacks to a troop of soldiers in Afghanistan. 

Through her efforts, many people made a difference in the lives of others and found fulfillment through volunteering.

Gold builds strong skills

Not only do Gold Award projects help communities, they also give girls important leadership skills, teaching them to seek out the work that needs doing in the world.

There are other benefits to going gold as well. 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.

In Pennsylvania, some of the colleges that offer scholarships to girls who earn the Gold Award include Chatham College, Temple University Ambler, and Wilson College.

Tradition of leadership

Since 1916, girls just like the 98 Girl Scouts who earned the Gold Award this year, have successfully answered the call to go gold, an act that indelibly marks them as accomplished members of their communities and the world.

Gold Award advisers are changing the world by supporting and guiding the girls who will change it. For information about becoming a Gold Award adviser or joining the Gold Award committee, please contact Renee Watson at 800-248-3355 ext. 1009 or rwatson@gswpa.org.