Highest Awards Celebration 2012 Year of the Girl Girl Scout Promise On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country To help people at all times And to live by the Girl Scout Law. Girl Scout Law I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do and to, respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.
Girl Scouts’ Mission Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. Girl Scouts of Colorado makes it easy, meaningful and fun for girls and volunteers to grow as leaders.
girlscoutsofcolorado.org 1-877-404-5708 inquiry@gscolorado.org
Many thanks to Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company for the printing of the Highest Awards Celebration 2012 materials.
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Girl Scouts’ Highest Awards 2012 Celebrating 100 years of Girl Scouting On March 12, 1912, Juliette Gordon Low founded the Girl Scouts, an organization providing opportunities for girls to grow and develop as leaders. Since that time, Low’s forward-thinking vision has touched the lives of more than 50 million alumnae. Today, more than 3 million active Girl Scouts and volunteers, with roughly 40,000 in Colorado, are part of the premier girls’ leadership experience in this country. To mark Girl Scouts’ 100th anniversary in 2012, Girl Scouts of the USA has declared this the “Year of the Girl.” As we celebrate 100 years of leadership for girls, we strive to create a sense of urgency around girls’ issues. Our goal and challenge to society is to achieve parity in leadership opportunities for the next generation of girls. Encouraging more Girl Scouts to earn the Highest Awards is one way we can help achieve the goals of the ToGetHerThere.org campaign.
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Building leaders: Taking action to make the world a better place through Highest Awards Girl Scouts is excited about the opportunity we have to really inspire girls with the message of leadership, caring for the environment, being kind to others, advocating for themselves and others, and respecting country. These values are the object of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and the Highest Awards projects. The Girl Scout Leadership Experience is different for each girl according to her needs and abilities. While each individual is special and unique, all share in the opportunity to hone their leadership, organizational and critical thinking skills. The three keys to leadership: Discover, Connect and Take Action, are put into play through our unique Girl Scout processes: girl led, learning by doing and cooperative learning. The common focuses of Girl Scouts’ Highest Awards are identifying a community issue the Girl Scout(s) feel(s) is unmet or underserved, researching the issue, developing a plan to address the issue in cooperation with a team of community members, establishing a global connection with others and providing for sustainability for the project. The progression is gradual from Bronze (think) to Silver (plan) to Gold (do). The Bronze Award, earned by Girl Scout Juniors in their upper elementary school years, challenges girls to work together as a group within the Girl Scout or wider community. At the Silver Award level, which is earned by Girl Scout Cadettes in middle school, girls work in groups of two to four in the wider community. The highest award in Girl Scouts, the Gold Award, is a project led by one young woman of high school age who builds a purpose-based team to work with the larger community to meet a need. Everyone in the Girl Scout community is immensely proud of the exceptional young women who have earned one of Girl Scouts’ Highest Awards this year. They are leaders among their peers and in the community. We hope you will take inspiration from their accomplishments and share it with others. Their work has accomplished so much for so many throughout the state. 3
2011–2012 Gold Award Recipients Tia Melizanda Arnold, Highlands Ranch Lyndsey Babcock, Broomfield
Grace E. Forrey, Broomfield Nicole Fry, Severance Nicole Gardner, Westminster
Sonali Sarah Bhattacharya, Colorado Springs
Ester Jewell Gilbert, Littleton
Samantha Bowles, Lakewood
Elizabeth Glover, Colorado Springs
Leanne Marie Buikema, Englewood
Christylynne Grenz, Centennial
Brittany Ann Clark, Highlands Ranch
Elizabeth Jayne Guy, Monument
Elisabeth Marie Coco, Colorado Springs
Emily Patricia Guy, Monument
Erin Kathleen Connors, Denver
Lia Hankla, Lafayette Lauren Hatch, Highlands Ranch
Amanda Lynne Davis, Evergreen
Ashley Laura Hauck, Aurora
Rebecca Derryberry, Colorado Springs
Salome Heil, Colorado Springs
Kate Draeger, Colorado Springs
Rachel Marie Hernandez, Colorado Springs
Amanda Christine Dugan, Pueblo
Falicia Hodges, Lakewood
Alyssa Ellison, Aurora
Amy Holcomb, Colorado Springs
Katelyn Erbeck, Littleton
Karen Holcomb, Colorado Springs
Michelle Ernst, Denver Carly Fabian, Littleton Cassidy Grace Fahey, Colorado Springs Kaitlyn Fast, Centennial 4
Jessica Wrae Hull, Montrose Kaitlin Jaros, Boulder Becca Jones, Colorado Springs Tara Jurgensmeyer, Longmont
Sara Knoedler, Greeley
Alyssa Rozendaal, Arvada
Morgan Levy, Aurora
Darian Sanchez, Colorado Springs
Kate Linhart, Littleton
Julia Secor, Greenwood Village
Sarah Lukas, Castle Rock
Hope Seitz, Thornton
Elizabeth McJannet-Bratton, Erie
Brianna Shuler, Lafayette
Breanna Dawn Moak, Lakewood
Alea Tebbe, Highlands Ranch
Nicole Moes, Centennial
Morgan Vaughan, Thornton
Angela Natrasevschi, Fort Collins
Stephanie Villars, Highlands Ranch
Rachel Nelson, Colorado Springs
Tasha R. Waterman, Littleton
Savanah Nelson, Littleton
Victoria Weber, Parker
Elysia Lynne Newton, Westminster
Sydney Wegner, Colorado Springs
Diana Patricia Ormond, Littleton
Kailyn Faye Witonsky, Littleton
Patricia Diana Ormond, Littleton
Zahra Yousofi, Bellvue
Melanie Pavel, Englewood Katelynn Pettingill, Lakewood Jessie Reese, Centennial Selina Rendleman, Colorado Springs Rachel Rivera, Colorado Springs Crystal Marie Roen, Parker Katie Rose, Niwot Elizabeth Rose Roths, Fort Collins 5
Tia Melizanda Arnold Highlands Ranch Douglas County High School “Change A Life” For my Gold Award, I set out to create a program that bridged the age gap between residents of a senior living home and a child care group. I felt that this interaction would benefit both groups. Although my enthusiasm suffered a setback when the required paperwork didn’t come from the parents of the kids, I persevered and switched residential homes. I planned and hosted five successful events. Through this project, I developed skills I have already put to good use by setting up a mentoring program at my school.
Lyndsey Babcock Broomfield Broomfield High School “Making A Difference One Throw At A Time” I’ve always loved sports, but know it can be very expensive to participate. For my Gold Award, I created a way that anyone can participate, regardless of their financial situation. Through advertising and help from the city, I organized two softball camps for more than 50 younger girls. The participants in the camp were asked to bring new or old sports equipment, which was donated to A Precious Child, a non-profit organization that would provide the equipment to people in need. I was able to help the hundreds of people that rely on this non-profit for sports equipment and clothing.
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Sonali Sarah Bhattacharya Colorado Springs Palmer Ridge High School “Activity Enrichment for Falcon SPED” For my Gold Award, I wanted to do something to enhance the school environment for students with special needs. I wanted to help SPED students have a more independent lifestyle by teaching them how to make simple snack and lunch recipes for themselves. I created a Snack Time cookbook and safety sheet for four high schools’ SPED classrooms. I also created tactile boards for Falcon High School. The biggest challenge was choosing recipes that were healthy, easily prepared and could be taught to the students.
Samantha Bowles Lakewood Bear Creek High School “Global Hope Snuggle Project” Due to a family adoption, I was touched by the condition of orphans in Russia. For my Gold Award I made it my mission to help them. I collaborated with Global Hope and made 26 fleece snuggle sacks and pillow cases for the children. I also sent more than 100 stuffed animals. I will continue to educate the community about the reality of these children. The Good Hope children I helped were moved by my project and donated their surplus vegetables to the homeless children.
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Leanne Marie Buikema Englewood Denver Christian High School “Denver Christian School Garden” I used my passion for teaching to plan and construct a school garden that students and teachers could tend to themselves. I created this garden at the Highlands Ranch Campus of the Denver Christian Schools. Horizon Landscaping helped me by giving me advice on how to build the garden and installing a sprinkler system. I was able to make a garden and a pathway so people could walk through it. It took three months to create the garden, and now the students have the opportunity to learn about nature interactively.
Brittany Ann Clark Highlands Ranch Highlands Ranch High School “MaxFund Annual Adoption Day” For my Gold Award, I wanted to give back to an animal shelter that is making a difference by being “no-kill.” The shelter I collaborated with is called MaxFund, and I coordinated its first Annual Adoption Days. I updated the adoption packet for the shelter to use for the event. I received help and donations from my community recreational center, Petco, PetSmart, Walmart, Screen Printed Products and Kohl’s. Others in the community contributed baked goods. My event helped 10 animals receive adoption applications. I also created an adoption how-to packet for future events.
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Elisabeth Marie Coco Colorado Springs St. Mary’s High School “Restoring the Community” My love of the outdoors led me to my Gold Award project. After gathering 38 volunteers and obtaining permission from Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation, I cleaned, repaired and re-graveled an 880-foot section of the Homestead Trail in Colorado Springs. The trail had become so overgrown and eroded that it was barely usable. The length was just seven yards short of three NFL-size football fields. Now, my neighbors and community members are able to enjoy the trail again. To ensure the trail remains maintained, I provided a trail maintenance handbook to the homeowner’s association.
Erin Kathleen Connors Denver John F Kennedy High School “Personal Care” For my Gold Award, I had a strong desire to help the homeless. Specifically, I wanted to help them in gathering personal hygiene items. By working with Girl Scout troops from around my neighborhood and with students at my school, I was able to collect many different toiletries for the homeless. When I had collected enough, I took the donations to 9Cares Colorado Shares, the largest one-day food drive in the region. I was able to overcome my shyness by asking students at my school and other Girl Scouts for donations.
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Amanda Lynne Davis Evergreen Evergreen High School “Mean Street No More” For my Gold Award, I wanted to create awareness of hunger and poverty around us. I set out to educate the community, while also collecting needed items for a Lakewood group, Mean Street Ministry. With the help of my peers, I ended up collecting 1,054 items valued at approximately $1,796. These items included everyday necessities, food items and toys. I also made a PowerPoint presentation about the subject and distributed it to schools throughout Colorado. I’ve already been contacted by one of the schools who will be using my presentation to conduct an items drive of their own.
Rebecca Derryberry Colorado Springs Cheyenne Mountain High School “Doorway To The World” I’ve always enjoyed geography and learning about people from other countries, and I wanted to show that with my Gold Award. I decided to develop global awareness in children. For my project I designed a Middle Eastern curriculum for children that supported my church’s efforts to connect children from all over the world via video conferencing. I assembled a media cabinet that has computers, music, art, a PowerPoint and other activities that teaches about the lives of children in other areas of the world. It encourages appreciation for diversity and an atmosphere that helps, accepts and respects others. 10
Kate Draeger Colorado Springs Pine Creek High School “Project Sin Fronteras” For my Gold Award project I set out with the goal to educate others on what it means to be an immigrant. I hoped to benefit those in Colorado Springs who lack knowledge on this topic. I went about this by conducting interviews, which were compiled into a video to teach others about life on the border and what it means to be an immigrant. My video will be shown at my local church, through Youth Group and adult Bible sessions.
Amanda Christine Dugan Pueblo Pueblo County High School “Vocal Cord Dysfunction and You” In 2010, I developed Vocal Cord Dysfunction, a sickness I knew very little about. Often mistaken for asthma, VCD is a breathing disorder involving partial paralysis of the vocal cords. For my Gold Award, I wanted to teach others about this condition. I came down with this sickness while I was on the swim team, which affected my performance. I decided to educate coaches and athletes about VCD through the creation of an informational packet and video. I distributed the finished product to athletic directors in my region and schools. The packet will be available to other schools and coaches.
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Alyssa Ellison Aurora Eagle Crest High School “Once Upon a Story Time” Because I love reading and children, I created a library for a Head Start program in the Sheridan School District to complete my Gold Award. The school I collaborated with had many kids who loved to read but lacked the material and an open resource to continue. With the help of my peers, we collected 1,000 books. I converted one of the school’s small classrooms into the library. I also created a reading program for the library to ensure the resource will be used for years to come.
Katelyn Erbeck Littleton Chatfield Senior High School “Becoming More Aware of the Blind Community” For my Gold Award, I wanted to help people understand about the blind. I felt as though people didn’t really understand the blind or how to help. I created a pamphlet and video on how someone can help a blind person who may be in need of assistance. I recruited the help of my Girl Scout troop to hand out the pamphlets, and Staples donated the printing. I gathered my information from the Colorado Center for the Blind. My video is currently posted on YouTube as a community resource.
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Michelle Ernst Denver Littleton High School ”Food Bank Garden” For my Gold Award, I built a community garden for a local food bank that assists around 100 families a week. Getting the garden started took about six months. Volunteers at my church provided the plants and soil. In the fall, we picked the produce. I am proud of being able to educate people about volunteering for a cause and hope the garden will become an ongoing project of my church parish.
Carly Fabian Littleton Dakota Ridge High School “CAPP Citizens Against Public Pornography” For my Gold Award, I wanted to strengthen the security of the Columbine Library and advocate for the change of the library policy that allowed pornography to be viewed in public. I met with the Jefferson County Library Board of Trustees and learned the policy had been changed a short while before. This policy change allowed me to work directly with my community on the consequences of viewing pornography and the ways it impacts the community. I also ordered 200 bracelets that said “Put a CAPP on Public Porn”.
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Cassidy Grace Fahey Colorado Springs Colorado Springs Christian High School “Art for Everyone” My passion for art is what inspired my Gold Award project. I love taking additional art classes outside of school, but discovered it was expensive. I created an art handbook for children so they could learn art on their own at home. In the handbook there are five sections of different art mediums. There is also history, artist examples and activities. In addition, I taught art lessons to the children at Big Brothers/ Big Sisters and Cottonwood Center for the Arts.
Kaitlyn Fast Centennial Cherry Creek High School “Learning Through Art” I was able to combine my passion for teaching and arts by developing an art program for children with special needs for my Gold Award. The art projects in my program focused on developing basic motor skills. It took nine months to develop and deliver the program, and I was able to impact 40 students. The program was five to six weeks long, and I partnered with the Interact Club at my high school and special needs teachers at area schools. I also developed a program guide book so the project can be repeated.
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Grace E. Forrey Broomfield Broomfield High School “Self Esteem Workshop” For years, I watched my sister Sophie and my friends be bullied and struggle with self-esteem. For my Gold Award, I created a self-esteem workshop for girls entering 4th to 6th grade. My workshop took place at Broomfield United Methodist Church. We had discussions of what influences self-esteem and a game to find common ground with others. We also focused on inner beauty, and the girls were able to experiment with makeup in a natural way. We discussed what bullying is and what we can all do to stop it. About 23 girls went through the program.
Nicole Fry Severance Windsor High School “Blending Cultures with Young Adults” I was fortunate enough to be able to participate in a school exchange program in Germany. I was amazed at how welcome and safe I felt at my new school. For my Gold Award, I wanted to give exchange students coming to my Colorado school the same experience. I built a shadow box to display information I collected on the exchange students who attend or attended Windsor High School and how they contributed to the school. It took me approximately five to six months to put it together. This project met my goal and brought awareness in my school community.
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Nicole Gardner Westminster Ralston Valley High School “Suicidal Teen Outreach Project (S.T.O.P.)” I saw a need to help educate the community about suicide, so I set out to create an awareness campaign for my Gold Award. I collaborated with the Devereux Cleo Wallace Center and the Pueblo Suicide Prevention Center to collect research on the subject. Then I created a presentation, pamphlets and posters that focus on the warning signs of suicide. I was able to deliver my presentation to an estimated 65 middle and high school students, with thousands seeing the posters and pamphlets I distributed. I also created a website on suicide and distributed my collateral throughout the community.
Ester Jewell Gilbert Littleton Rock Canyon High School “Step2” Growing up, my family moved around a lot because of my father’s job. For my Gold Award, I wanted to assist others when adjusting to a new community. I assisted in refurbishing homes for families of the Step2 program, a nonprofit in Reno, Nev., which specializes in substance abuse treatment. The organization also provides an opportunity for women to become self-sufficient and live with their children on-site. My project involved cleaning and furnishing the cottages with furniture, utensils, clothing and toys. With help from my peers, I collected these items and put together the homes for the families.
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Elizabeth Glover Colorado Springs Pine Creek High School “Animal Shelter Fix Up” I have always had a passion for animals and finding them good homes. For my Gold Award, I wanted to assist an animal shelter. I collaborated with the Front Range Equine Rescue and was able to fix a fence and also extended the area so the horses could have more space. Afterward, I conducted a massive clean-up for the rescue. I made fliers for my youth group and church to recruit volunteers for the project. These improvements will bring in business for the camps at the rescue and raise awareness for the animals in need of homes.
Christylynne Grenz Centennial Cherry Creek High School “Bruin Sparkles” For my Gold Award, I formed the first-ever special needs cheerleading team at my high school. This project combined my passion for cheerleading and including others. I worked with Rocky Mountain Elite Performance Gym and the Special Olympics to learn how to work with the students. Eight special needs students at Cherry Creek High School joined the Bruin Sparkles squad. The project spanned eight months and started with a cheer camp. The group practiced once-a-week and performed at football, basketball and volleyball games. They also performed in the Homecoming Pep-Rally.
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Elizabeth Jayne Guy Monument Palmer Ridge High School “Wiley Coyote Habitat” My interest in helping injured animals led me to build two insulated coyote dens for the Ellicot Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for my Gold Award project. Designing the dens proved challenging. With help from my fellow Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and friends, I completed two insulated dens. The dens have a tunnel attached to them to make the coyotes feel secure. The roofs are removable for easy access to clean and check on the inhabitants. Each of the dens was weather proofed, and I provided additional materials to the center so they could reseal the dens in the future.
Emily Patricia Guy Monument Palmer Ridge High School “Sand Creek SPED Enrichment” I have always had a heart for people with special needs. My Uncle Cliff, who was born with Down Syndrome, has always inspired me with his desire to become more independent. For my Gold Award, I set out to make a Life Skill Kit so more people with special needs could also become more independent. I created the kits to supplement SPED classrooms at Sand Creek and Rock Canyon High Schools. I created eight kits, each teaching different things, such as brushing your teeth, washing your face, tying a tie, sweeping the floor, sorting silverware, setting the table and more.
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Lia Hankla Lafayette Peak to Peak Charter School “Puma Math Club and Camp” For my Gold Award, I used my love for math to create a math camp and a math club at my K-12 school. The math camp, for elementary school students, helped hone their multiplication skills through fun games, such as Bingo, Tic-tac-toe and crossword puzzles. The math club was designed to allow high school students who enjoy math to compete in competitions. Ten students participated in the camp, challenging me in many ways. I am going to try to have my high school math club run the camp in the future.
Lauren Hatch Highlands Ranch Highlands Ranch High School “The Call of Matthew” After experiencing bullying first hand in 7th grade, I decided no one should have to go through what I went through. For my Gold Award, I wanted to focus on bullying prevention. I created an interactive presentation about bullying and harassment and how to stop it in schools. I collaborated with the Matthew Shepard Foundation and served on their gala team. With the help of other volunteers, I made 1,000 thank you bags for the foundation and spoke to 130 kids about the issue. Something I learned from this project is that I’m much stronger than I thought I was.
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Ashley Laura Hauck Aurora Gateway High School “Hats Off to Youth” I’ve always had a strong passion for theater. Participating in theater at my school gave me “family” at school and self-confidence. For my Gold Award, I wanted to organize a Theater Day to give others the same experience. My program targeted low-resource students in Aurora Public Schools. I recruited for the program by passing out fliers and visiting schools in the APS district. As a result, my Theater Day was able to get 32 students involved in theater. I was happy to help children learn about theater because it’s not available at many schools due to budget cuts.
Salome Heil Colorado Springs William J. Palmer High School “Crawford Veteran’s House Food Party” I have always had a passion for helping the homeless. For my Gold Award, I designed, built, stocked and inventoried a food pantry for the Crawford Veteran’s House. I built shelves to best utilize a 13-foot by 10-foot storage area. To build the shelves, I collaborated with Knights of Columbus, VFW, Home Depot and the Crawford House. It took a year for planning and fundraising for the project. I also created an inventory system that the administration will use to keep the food pantry organized. My project greatly impacted the homeless veteran population of Colorado Springs.
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Rachel Marie Hernandez Colorado Springs Lewis-Palmer High School “National Mill Dog Rescue History” I worked with an animal sanctuary for my Bronze and Silver Award, so it wasn’t surprising that I chose another animal-related cause for my Gold Award. For my project, I addressed the issue of the puppy mill industry. I worked with the National Mill Dog Rescue, an organization that is willing to fight for these dogs. I assisted by creating a newspaper album about the NMDR to display at the rescue to promote awareness. I also created a PowerPoint presentation and a video to show what the NMDR has done to help these animals.
Falicia Hodges Lakewood Green Mountain High School “Archery Camp” Because archery is a passion of mine, I decided to focus on this for my Gold Award. For my project, I organized an archery camp for those who wanted to learn. The individuals in the camp were between the ages of 8 and 18. They learned the basic steps, about the equipment, all the safety rules, warm-ups and stretches, and which eye is their dominant eye. The class was four weeks, and I had six students participate in the classes. I even held make-up classes for the students who missed a class.
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Amy Holcomb Colorado Springs Rampart High School “Patchwork Cooking” For my Gold Award, I made cookbooks utilizing items from the food pantry and ran cooking classes for and with Northern Churches Care, a Colorado Springs food pantry. I made fliers that were handed out at NCC and recruited volunteers. Two dozen families took advantage of my project and brochures. I used money from my Girl Scout troop to buy paper and printing services. My project was spent mostly researching and typing recipes for cookbooks; however, I logged 20 hours during the cooking nights. NCC plans to use the cookbooks in the future.
Karen Holcomb Colorado Springs Rampart High School “Patio Gardening” I have always been passionate about gardening and wanted to help others learn how to garden for my Gold Award. I wanted to give families a container garden that would fit anywhere in their home. I planted the gardens in pots and cloth reusable grocery bags. I set up four “Planting Nights” in May for families who were interested. By the end of my project, I had given away about 168 plants to 60 families in crisis. I was able to supply fresh vegetables to the families to maintain a healthy diet.
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Jessica Wrae Hull Montrose A Becka Home School “Love a Life Adoption Day” Because of my passion for animals, I held the first annual Love a Life Adoption Day to benefit animals in animal shelters for my Gold Award. I hosted the adoption event that benefited my local animal shelter and those in the surrounding area. I recruited volunteers through my peers, as well as the shelter staff. We were able to have many animals adopted because of this project. Murdoch’s and Petco donated all the space for the events; they also donated advertising as well. Murdoch’s is going to continue this event annually.
Kaitlin Jaros Boulder Holy Family High School “Teens and Healthy Choices” For my Gold Award, I created a program to address the issue of healthy living for teenagers with busy lifestyles. My project was targeted toward middle school students so they could develop healthy habits that would carry into their future. After conducting surveys at three middle schools, I was able to gather more information on what the students ate, how much sleep they got and what they did to stay active. I also visited the schools and gave a presentation about healthy living. Afterward, I passed out bags of donated food, water bottles and healthy snacks.
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Becca Jones Colorado Springs Rampart High School “Martial Arts Therapy Program” Because of my love for martial arts, for my Gold Award, I ran a program for kids in a mental hospital using taekwondo as a method of behavioral therapy. I collaborated with the Cedar Springs Treatment Center and the U.S. Taekwondo Center to make this happen. I worked with patients and their families; three patients were actually released early due to significant improvement in behavior and mental health. I worked on this program for 18 months and personally feel that it positively affected the patients. It also inspired me to have a future in psychology.
Tara Jurgensmeyer Longmont Longmont High School “Feeding Children in Need” For my Gold Award project, I wanted to help elementary school children who are on free or reduced lunch plans. I decided to start a program to provide weekend meals for these families. Studies have shown that children with better nutrition learn better in school, and providing healthy meals on the weekends can be a challenge for low-income families. I collaborated with the Faith Community Lutheran Church and Sanborn Elementary School to provide the meals. Funding was a challenge for this program, but I learned that perseverance is the key to success.
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Sara Knoedler Greeley Union Colony Preparatory High School “Eat Green, Be Green, Live Green” For my Gold Award, I wanted to educate residents in my community on the benefits of composting and recycling. I created educational services to provide the community with information, which could potentially save them money in hard economic times. Through an informational website, a Facebook page, a YouTube video, as well as an email account, I created a community to answer questions people have about being green. I also included resources people can use to compost and recycle.
Morgan Levy Aurora F.A.C.E. School “Passing on Learning” For my Gold Award, I really wanted to do something with education. I have a strong passion for reading and teaching, so I decided to create workbooks designed to build reading skills for students. I designed, assembled, produced and distributed about 30 workbooks. I passed out the books to an organization that serves low-income children. I also gave 10 copies of the book to a preschool, where they can be used by many children for years to come.
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Kate Linhart Littleton Chatfield Senior High School “Self-Harm Stops Here” For my Gold Award project, I put together a presentation and a brochure about self-harm behaviors, how to spot people with these behaviors and where to find help. Did you know that 20 percent of young people in their late teens and early 20s suffer from self-harm? To spread awareness on the subject, I put together a presentation and brochure to inform others. I incorporated videos into my presentation from the Internet and also personal interviews with my friends who are former self-harmers. I included contact information for facilities and hotlines throughout the state that help with the treatment of these behaviors.
Sarah Lukas Castle Rock Douglas County High School “Choir Storage Center” My love for music is what inspired my project for my Gold Award. I knew right from the beginning that I wanted to have my Gold Award be a project that would benefit the musical field. I designed and built a storage center for the Douglas County High School Choir Department. For me, communication was the most significant factor in this project. The most challenging aspect was the design and keeping my project on my budget. The organization of the storage center will be maintained by the school.
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Elizabeth McJannet-Bratton Erie Peak to Peak Charter School “The Power of Music” For my Gold Award, I wanted to share my passion for singing. I created multiple choir concerts for the elderly. With the help of 16 performers from my school, we were able to perform for approximately 65 people at the Balfour Retirement Center. The residents at Balfour really enjoyed our singing! Additionally, there will now be a permanent choir at Balfour created by students volunteering in the music program at my school. I believe this project was the best way for me to use my talent to help others.
Breanna Dawn Moak Lakewood Bear Creek High School “Ecoexist, Love Your Earth!” After a presentation at my high school about the importance of protecting our environment, I knew I wanted to create an environmental club for my Gold Award. I first gained permission from the school administration, and then created a mural for the school to attract members. I also made 45 light switch covers and jewelry to sell at the school craft fair. In the end, the charter membership of the club was 10 students. Some of our projects included increasing the number of teachers at the school who have recycling boxes in their classrooms and a battery recycling drive.
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Nicole Moes Centennial Cherry Creek High School “Spark of Science” I always knew I wanted to pursue a career in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). For my Gold Award, I sought out to “spark” girls’ interest in STEM. I held two different events. One was for girls in grades 5-7, which was a day of fun with STEM. The second event was for high school girls and focused on meeting women in STEM-related careers. Another part of the event was a STEM challenge to create a prosthetic leg from common household items. I also created a website to continue to inspire girls to explore STEM.
Angela Natrasevschi Fort Collins Fort Collins High School “Fighting Meth” After watching my cousin destroy his life due to his meth addiction, I set out to make a change in the alarming statistics. I began my Gold Award in fall 2009 by educating myself and others. Original artwork, presentations, radio appearances and community events are some of the ways I did this. A high point for my project was the 2011 New West Fest in Fort Collins where I had a booth displaying my meth-related artwork and collected 1,000 “pledge to be meth free” signatures. In the future, the Colorado Meth Project plans to use my artwork in schools.
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Rachel Nelson Colorado Springs Cheyenne Mountain High School “Volunteer Cheyenne Database” I love to volunteer, but have noticed that the majority of publicized volunteer opportunities are for adults. For my Gold Award project, I created an online database of youth volunteer opportunities in Colorado Springs. To make this happen, I had to contact and then catalog information about youth volunteer opportunities from local non-profit organizations, create a database to house all of their information, and create a website to make the information accessible. I collaborated with computer programmers from Catamount Studios. This project took me nearly three years to complete, and I’m very proud of it.
Savanah Nelson Littleton Arapahoe High School “Lacrosse for All” For my Gold Award, I wanted to teach low-resource children how to play lacrosse, a sport that I’ve played for many years. I collected used lacrosse gear and taught the basics of lacrosse with the help of the Boys and Girls Arapahoe Lacrosse teams. Around 20 kids participated in the camp. I feel that sports help kids stay out of trouble and introduce them to new friends. I was able to donate extra lacrosse sticks and gear to Newton Middle School and the Lacrosse Outreach Program. This activity will become an annual event.
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Elysia Lynne Newton Westminster Legacy High School “The Wonders of Science” My two passions in life are science and teaching. I believe that science can be a very fun subject, and I wanted to show that by organizing a Science Camp for my Gold Award. The activities at my camp centered on “fun” science where principles of physics and chemistry take the form of exploding rockets. I made 12 instruction manuals, one for each participant. The manuals also were distributed to local schools and libraries. I plan to recreate the camp next year to continue sharing my passion of science and teaching.
Diana Patricia Ormond Littleton D’Evelyn High School “Be Aware of Your Surroundings” For my Gold Award, I wanted to teach men and women how to protect themselves and become more aware of their surroundings. “Be Aware of Your Surroundings” is a project I created to heighten the general awareness and safety skills that your average teenager and adult should have. By leading a group discussion, I was able to explain many of the ways that they could become more aware. Then I demonstrated and taught a few basic self-defense techniques. I also created a brochure for the Jefferson County Sherriff’s Office on general awareness and safety.
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Patricia Diana Ormond Littleton D’Evelyn High School “Safety for Kids” For my Gold Award, I started a safety program for kids involving karate. I pursued this project because I feel that karate is a necessary skill to learn. Children are often seen as easy targets, so it’s important that they learn about safety and how to be more aware of their surroundings. I collaborated with my church and karate school on this project and was able to teach five children and three parents. I made fliers and 25 coloring booklets that I used to teach the class.
Melanie Pavel Englewood Cherry Creek High School “Spirit Sports Softball” For 13 years, I have played softball. For my Gold Award I used my knowledge and passion of the game to put on two softball clinics for younger girls in my area. I collected sports equipment, which I donated to the Denver Public School District. Along with collecting the equipment, I put on two softball clinics for girls ages 10 and up who live in Cherry Creek School District. I wanted to inspire the children to find the spirit in the sport, which, in my eyes, is to have fun.
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Katelynn Pettingill Lakewood Alameda High School “Goat and Lamb Sleepers” For my Gold Award, I wanted to assist 4H by combining my passion for people, sewing and animals. For this project, I collaborated with 4H, Hobby Lobby and Phillips United Methodist Church and made cloth “sleepers” for the 4H animals. The sleepers were made to cover the animals’ bodies to keep them clean before and during their shows. With the help of my peers, I made a total of 18 sleepers for the animals and provided the pattern so others could make them in the future.
Jessie Reese Centennial Cherry Creek High School “Coloring Minds” I have always been passionate about art and children. Through my Gold Award, I was able to combine my passions. I taught 40 children at the Boys and Girls Club about different types of art and master artists. What I loved about this project was sharing my passion with the younger children, encouraging them to become passionate as well. While teaching the children, I had to overcome struggles with teaching techniques and assertiveness. I feel that this project gave me a great foundation to further develop my skills for college and as a camp counselor.
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Selina Rendleman Colorado Springs Air Academy High School “Dyslexia: Understanding the Basics” For my Gold Award, I wanted to feed my desire to understand more about dyslexia and how it affects an individual. To do this, I contacted local organizations and arranged interviews with individuals who work in the dyslexia field. I created two informative videos about dyslexia. The videos are being used by my school. I have plans to create additional videos about more specific areas of dyslexia. The individuals I interviewed for this project drove me down a path of advocacy for dyslexia. I’ve learned that having passion and drive can help you achieve anything.
Rachel Rivera Colorado Springs Rampart High School “Neonatal Nest” For my Gold Award, I created positioning pillows, or Neonatal Nests, for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Central Memorial Hospital. These neonatal Nests help the nurses to position infants while under care. I made 200 pillows that can be used at the hospital. This took me more than 70 hours to complete with the help of around 50 volunteers. Jo-Ann’s Fabric and Craft store provided a discount on the materials I used. The project will be sustained by passing it on to future National Honor Society members at my school.
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Crystal Marie Roen Parker Eagle Crest High School “Hands Helping Hearts” As a member of HIKE (Hearing Impaired Kids Endowment), I’ve always had a great interest in raising awareness for the hearing impaired. For my Gold Award, I wanted to introduce basic sign language to elementary school students. I also taught these basic signs to bus drivers so they could communicate with hearing-impaired students. Ultimately, I was able to reach 200 people with my project. I also assisted in the formation of the Sign Language Club at Eaglecrest High School.
Katie Rose Niwot Niwot High School “Organ Donation Awareness” When I turned 15 and received my driving permit, I learned what being an organ donor meant. This inspired me to spread awareness about the importance of organ donation. Through my project I was able to raise organ donation awareness within school health classes. I created a PowerPoint presentation to give in freshmen health classes and organized volunteers to aid in giving the presentation. These presentations included live speakers who shared their organ donation experiences. I also started a club at my school that focuses on different ways to promote organ donation awareness.
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Elizabeth Rose Roths Fort Collins Polaris Expeditionary Learning School “To Build a Library” My school moved buildings four times in the last five years, which left the school library disorganized. I decided to undertake the organizational process for my Gold Award project. I recruited friends to help make this possible. The project also included collecting new books for the library. I collaborated with the school’s librarian to make sure the library vision met the school’s needs for future sustainability. The new library at the school is divided based on reading level and curriculum. We also arranged the furniture in the library to divide the reading levels.
Alyssa Rozendaal Arvada Arvada West High School “Get Involved” During my freshman year, I struggled with getting involved with clubs and organizations at my high school. My Gold Award focused on student club involvement. I organized and printed a booklet with information on the clubs available at my school. These were distributed at the Freshman Interest Night and through the counseling center. I also organized a club fair where each club showcased their opportunities and students were invited and encouraged to sign up for clubs that fit their interest. Because of my project, 12 new clubs formed and 255 students joined a club.
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Darian Sanchez Colorado Springs Doherty High School “The Safety Zone” After watching those close to me struggle because of their ADHD/ADD, I really wanted to help in some way for my Gold Award project. I decided to make a club specifically for children struggling with ADHD/ ADD called The Safety Zone. This club was created to teach kids how to cope with ADHD/ADD and to provide a place where they can be themselves. I also wanted to educate others to better understand this disorder. The club had “fidget toys,” games and guest speakers who brought in activities for the children. I provided resources so other schools could create a similar club on their own.
Julia Secor Greenwood Village Regis Jesuit High School “Reaching Through Generations” My interest in geriatric medicine was the trigger for my Gold Award project. I organized social occasions between teens and residents of Caley Ridge Assisted Living. During these meetings, they made blankets and cards for the cancer and ICU patients at the Children’s Hospital. Over the course of my project, we made 55 fleece tie blankets. Many residents enjoyed sharing their experiences in Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts and the opportunity to help the Children’s Hospital.
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Hope Seitz Thornton Pinnacle Charter High School “In Memory of Brittany Rentas” After hearing the story of a high school girl who died in a car accident because she was texting and driving, I felt inspired to bring awareness to this issue through my Gold Award. I created a video on YouTube about the dangers of texting while driving. I did this in hopes that no one else would lose a friend or family member. I presented my video to a variety of audiences and asked that they take a verbal pledge not to text while driving. I was able to reach more than 200 people through my presentations.
Brianna Shuler Lafayette Peak to Peak Charter School “Compassionate Peer” A dear friend of mine was born with a disability, and I noticed many students wouldn’t interact with him at school. For my Gold Award, I created and presented a booklet for 2nd and 3rd graders to teach them how to be helpful and compassionate to their peers. The booklet included a story and some questions, and I had a game for the students to play. I collaborated with an elementary school counselor and presented to about 120 students.
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Alea Tebbe Highlands Ranch Thunder Ridge High School “GREAT” I love being able to be a role model to youth, and this led me to choose tutoring elementary students as my Gold Award project. I recruited students in the National Honor Society at my high school and paired them as volunteer tutors with students at a local elementary school. We helped more than 100 kids through this program. The teachers got some extra help and the NHS students gained community service hours too. I also grew as a leader.
Morgan Vaughan Thornton Horizon High School “Strings for Schools” A passion for music motivated me to establish a plan for an instrument drive to benefit low resource schools for my Gold Award. Budget cuts have virtually eliminated music programs, and I chose to take action to provide instruments. I got the word out by writing an article for YourHub and directly contacting businesses. I secured donations from Universal Music and other sources and was able to contribute 14 instruments and supplies to schools. I also created a video to distribute to teachers outlining my strategies so others could continue the work in the future.
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Stephanie Villars Highlands Ranch Highlands Ranch High School “Mission: Mittens” I set out to help the homeless for my Gold Award project. I worked with volunteers to sew 75 pairs of mittens for the Broadway Assistance Center. The first part of my project involved collecting old wool sweaters and fleece. My peers helped me sew mittens out of this material, as well as tie lip balm to each set of finished mittens. We went together to deliver the finished mittens to the shelter. I provided the Broadway Assistance Center with instructions on how we made the mittens so the project could be replicated by other volunteer groups in the future.
Tasha R. Waterman Littleton Heritage High School “Beaver Tree Wrapping” I knew that I wanted to do something involving nature for my Gold Award. I knew that beavers consuming trees were putting many creatures at risk, so I decided to take action. When beavers consume the trees, it takes away protection, potential habitat and food from other creatures. I collaborated with Carson Nature Center and South Platte Park to gather nearly 30 volunteers for this project. We wrapped 150 trees to protect them from being destroyed by beavers. My project also ensured that hikers have a beautiful place to enjoy nature.
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Victoria Weber Parker Douglas County High School “Elementary School Music Education” Because it’s such an important part of my life, I wanted to do something with music for my Gold Award. I decided to create a band program for elementary students. Two other high school band students assisted me in creating the program. We worked with one to three students for about an hour once a week. Sometimes we would play simple songs as a group, but we would also work with the students individually. I also gave private clarinet lessons to a student at Arrowwood Elementary School for about an hour once a week.
Sydney Wegner Colorado Springs Cheyenne Mountain High School “Wapoolby (Walk, Carpool, Bike) to School” I have always envisioned students at my school getting to my high school in different ways besides a car. I thought this would be a good challenge for my Gold Award. There’s no busing in my school district, so most students arrive at my school by car. I organized and promoted a week of alternative ways to get to school. I called this event “Wapoolby,” short for walk, carpool and bicycle. I offered prizes to increase participation, and more than 200 students participated. To promote the activity, I used Facebook, posters, banners and videos.
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Kailyn Faye Witonsky Littleton Arapahoe High School “A Rainbow After Rain” During my sophomore year, two of my classmates committed suicide. For my Gold Award, I wanted to draw attention to suicide prevention. After becoming educated in a suicide prevention program known as, “SafeTalk,” I approached my school with the idea of placing the suicide hotline number on the back of our student identification cards. I also coordinated and ran a suicide Q&A session at my high school. Other school districts and high schools have indicated they want a suicide hotline number on their student identification cards. Suicide prevention and awareness will continue to be a goal of mine.
Zahra Yousofi Bellvue Poudre High School “Promoting Understanding About Afghanistan” Constant war in Afghanistan has adversely affected its education system. As an exchange student from Afghanistan, I wanted to help educate others on this issue and also help enhance their education system for my Gold Award. I wanted to populate a library in Kabul. To do this, I gave 15 presentations, which reached about 500 people. I got book and shipping donations from different people and organizations, including the Lamia Afghan Foundation. I plan to continue collecting books to send to this library. (Zahra returned to Afghanistan in May 2011.)
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2011-2012 Silver Award Recipients Individually Registered Girls Aurora – Julie Tew Colorado Springs – Jessica Hild Lindsey Jessen Durango – Kat Sullivan Lakewood – Natasha Snyder Littleton – Melissa Brunkala Longmont – Sara Reitz Monument – Alexandria Hakala Troop 4 – Colorado Springs Madeline McWhorter Troop 8 – Greenwood Village Tessa Andrzejczak Gabbi Cantor Lexi Markowitz Troop 24 – Fruita Kaete Erickson Jessica Hedlun Maya Kolenut Alexis Moss Alma Wilkie Troop 26 – Sterling Taylor Griebel Troop 27 – Cortez Dezirae’ Todd Troop 36 – Monument Kelsey Briding Lexi Maxwell Edie Statham Sheridan Sweet Emma Thompson 42
Troop 42 – Fruita Francesca Lujan Troop 56 – Montrose Alanah Remple Troop 66 – Fort Collins Erica Cismoski Reanna Philpot Troop 123 – Evergreen Kelsey Pashman Troop 149 – Colorado Springs Amy Nelson Troop 150 – Aurora Kaycee Bischoff Kristina Paulsen Troop 169 - Centennial Mary Leigh Troop 190 – Grand Junction Addie Meders T’Anni Meders Troop 196 – Colorado Springs Tierra Carter Alyssa Engelman Ashley Marttilo Kristina Sullivan Shannon Sullivan Rebecca Vines Noelle Windesheim
Troop 235 – Aurora Shelby Johnson Samara Smith Malorie Williamson Troop 245 – Colorado Springs Kelly Conn Carissa Gonzales Katie Wilker Troop 255 – Cañon City Katie Abbott Nani Albertson Angel Potter Troop 316 – Arvada Taylor Baker Isabella Colosimo Julianna Desiato Rachel DeStigter Clara Geoghegan Kristin Kembel Katie Kubacki Sarah Swanson Amelia Williams Troop 342 – Louisville Christina Bartholomew Ellen Gostling Haley Hodges Clara Horst Morgan Kemmerlin Franny Klatt Katie McQuie Emma Robbins
Troop 354 – Colorado Springs Claire Landwehr Meagan Prewitt Troop 407 – Fort Collins Autumn Horne Troop 547 – Centennial Kathleen Russo Troop 564 – Aurora Clara Brinkers Kelsey Collins Bailey Dagner Haley Dunlap Ellie Furtua Megan King Jaia Lovett Savannah Morden Jacqueline Pierce Katheryn Riley Kelli Stanton Emily VanZee Emily Waldman Delaney Worthington Troop 571 – Castle Rock Caitlyn Alberts Andrea Buckman Katie Bulmer Lexie Haynie Lyssa Haynie Mallory Happ Megan Happ Heidi Markel Emily Novotny Emily Provan Katie Winsor 43
2011-2012 Silver Award Recipients (cont.) Troop 609 – Colorado Springs KC Cruz Ivy Marple Lillian Nieman Ashlynn Smith Sarah Weidman Troop 611 – Greeley Bethany Ford Cassidi O’Connor Kylie Webb Troop 615 – Denver Devin Clapper Kate Hasse Amy Taylor Abigail Yonker Troop 670 – Louisville Kate Brunette Charlotte Jones Melissa Kaiser Natalie Keatley Jillian Kolman Zoe Lehn Grace Newell Chloe Pradeau Madison Pritchard Teagan Smith Brianna Suazo Mikayla Whiteaker Troop 772 – Erie Hannah Alvarado Jordan Couper Julia Hensley Daniell Plomondon 44
Katelyn Rodriguez Sarah Santilli Troop 922 – Colorado Springs Jonnae Byas Troop 931 – Colorado Springs Sophie Brown Troop 941 – Louisville Jessica Bishop Becca Fantalis Alaura Penz Dasha Petropavlovskikh Alexis Pollicita Alexandra Treat Troop 977 – Littleton Aizja Trujillo Troop 997 – Littleton Bailey Andersen Alessia Bryant Amy Caran Katie Kelley Mikayla Lederhos Morgan Moffitt Gwynn Tipton Chiara Zagnoli Troop 1089 – Denver Kassandra Caballero Jade DeLeon Revann Sirokman Troop 1165 – Parker Maddie Barton Brandi Sundquist
Troop 1215 – Evergreen Kendall Gallagher Jenna Reid Troop 1227 – Parker Abby Hood Rachel Hurt Aubree Miller Melanie Rost Sara Sauceda Troop 1238 – Conifer Nina Barkmann Troop 1269 – Littleton Silje Hayes Katie Huttenmeyer Ally Lambercht Sara McWilliams Troop 1308 – Brighton Kayli Davis Chelsea Esposito Paige Huffman Juliet Knudsen Lauren Mehle Olivia Noakes Troop 1383 – Highlands Ranch Bailey Beebe Heather Hewitt Lauren Miller Catie Vitella Julia Vitella
Troop 1394 – Denver Tessa Archuleta Kacie Bush Sierra Farrar Julia Simpkins Troop 1399 – Littleton Kathryn Anderson Julia Bouziane Katrina Breidenbach Alexis Clements Rachel Lane Ashley Moon Troop 1401 – Highlands Ranch Abigail Bacon Lauren Bigner Devon Mackey Hayley Mitchell Emily Reed Olivia Simpson Tori Tongen Troop 1408 – Centennial Jamie Stoner Jessica Stoner Troop 1554 – Centennial Olivia King Charlie Payne Troop 1558 – Littleton Kaitlin Engelbert Rachel Parziale Dana Ruby Sanskriti Saxena Lindsey Stone Catherine Welch 45
2011-2012 Silver Award Recipients (cont.) Troop 1573 – Centennial Katie Burns Lindsay Carter Marlo Cheever Sarah Greichen Seneca Herring Samantha Krell Grace Richards Gianna Ruggiero Troop 1583 – Centennial Shannon Akin Cori Birka Gilli Breslar Taylor Cozort Troop 1630 – Arvada Ashley Drye Kelly Hanrahan Samantha Quintana Sasha Ramer Solana Suarez-Holguin Rachael Stankiewicz Troop 1664 – Colorado Springs Lyndsay Ruane Rebecca Wilson Troop 1713 – Broomfield Samantha Gasaway Troop 1750 – Denver Isabella Cuss Grace Hancock Savannah Nichols Kira Schumacher Katie Smith 46
Troop 1854 – Highlands Ranch Alexandra Dillon Troop 1962 – Littleton Amy Griffin Troop 1976 – Colorado Springs Alaine Hoffman Troop 2107 – Littleton Erika Colman Emma Ferdig Kitty Harris Britney Martinez Lindsey Romig Coralynne Rowley Troop 2110 – Golden Clare Buntrock Kate Greenhalgh Troop 2113 – Littleton Alex Bicket Maggie Larson Cameron Piper Mariah Stopplecamp Troop 2130 – Littleton Gabrielle Velasquez Jennifer Zigler Troop 2237 – Highlands Ranch Brittany Beebe Taryn Bradley
Troop 2316 – Arvada Madelaine Bass Lexi Elio Meg Henderson Sarah Murphy Kristin Sutherland Troop 2333 – Superior Kaseva Alavardo-Yule Troop 2407 – Highlands Ranch Molly Baird Daria Baranoff Karina Bonds Megan Rogers Troop 2543 – Parker Caiti Callahan Hunter Johnston Jenny Knight Addi Reynolds Troop 2567 – Longmont Margaret Harrison Claire Murtha Hannah Rieder Troop 2662 – Littleton Taittumn Barrett Allison Caperton Hannah Dort Sara Higgins Abigail Lee Elisa Maxwell Lauren McBeth Samara Nester Charlotte Quinn Evangeline Read
Hannah Sarine Jade Shank Jessica Shapiro Ali Williams Troop 2857 – Aurora Katrina Walker Troop 3125 – Denver Hadley Bowles Heidi Hufford Troop 3289 – Arvada Rebecca Stankiewicz Troop 3496 – Colorado Springs Sophie Brown Troop 3580 – Colorado Springs Julia Barrier Maya Branch Kaitlin Courcy Madeline Foley Kailynn Hawley Kalyn Lowe Miranda Ortega Lindsey Sablan Devyn Sanchez Troop 3693 – Highlands Ranch Megan Coney Troop 3810 – Colorado Springs Hannah Clair Jessica Husted Troop 3870 – Lakewood Cassidy St. Clergy Cody St. Clergy 47
2011-2012 Silver Award Recipients (cont.) Troop 4199 – Aurora Katherine Shupe Troop 4407 – Fort Collins Rylie Long Zoe Milner Margaret Patterson Zoie Tollison Troop 7645 – Nederland Savannah Ames Maeve Anderson Sophie Anderson Katelyn Jewell Mikaela Kugel Anastasia Snelling Elise Storkamp Troop 9508 – Denver Aida Morgan-Russell Alicia Topolnycky Troop 9601 – Aurora Suzanne D’Amico
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2011-2012 Bronze Award Recipients Individually Registered Girls Aurora Madison Martinez Centennial Peyton Dailey Grand Junction Keanna Estes Lakewood Christina Perkins Troop 19 – Colorado Springs Megan Angster Kaitlyn Fark Arianna Garza Sharleese Guevara Hannah Jewell Allysen Jimboy Genevieve Maneika Hannah Martin Reina Paker Katherine Raynor Troop 31 – Northglenn Shaela Burkhert Teagan Carlson Lauren Facey Megan Facey Audrey Femrite Carissa Flores Stephanie Hardee Allison Hemzacek Julia Kallis Emily Losinski Sabrina Losinski
Anika Malone Josephine Martin Samantha Martin Sydney Mayer Kate Richardson Apoorva Seth Lauren Ware Troop 40 – Grand Junction Falynne Weinke Troop 54 – Aurora Shannon DiMarino Gracelyn Gutierrez Meskiel Schoneboom Stephanie Vasquez Kassia Wisneski Mariana Zerr Troop 87 – Littleton Catie Bouziane Kaeley Eagle Lara Mckee Kelsey Mease Hannah Visser Troop 120 – Grand Junction Allison Hamm McKayala Vigil McKenzie Vigil Makalea Snyder Troop 123 – Colorado Springs Eve Balmaceda Emma Downing
Sonia Karsanbhai Nichelle Malone Crystal Page Amelia Peterson Cassidy Swart Jasmine Szczur Troop 131 – Littleton Kelsey Harry Troop 132 – Grand Junction Amber Bilbrey Hailey Bilbrey Carissa Crawford Royanna Crawford Katelyn Ellyson Kayli Plantiko Troop 140 – Grand Junction Kasia Kucera Rachel Lively Natalie McConnell Kim Mueller Maddy Mueller Marilyn Rice Ashley Sage Grace Trujillo Riley Trujillo Kayla Witherspoon Troop 144 – Colorado Springs Sharon Dalsey Amani Monroe Lily Noteboom 49
2011-2012 Bronze Award Recipients (cont.) Elizabeth Spalding Nicole Starr Troop 162 – Lakewood Sarah Evans Spencer Gahar-Jones Cassie Schaeffer Hannah Smith Natasha Snyder Troop 163 – Denver Emma Deutsch Troop 168 – Colorado Springs Alia Benz Raechel Brady Cassie Capela Abbey Cook Abigail Englert Kirsten Kinder Troop 182 – Parker Oksana Alvarez Makena Baldwin Ingrid Bayer Elisse Bergstrom Elizabeth Brown Kathryn Conrad Gabrielle East Katie Frontz Jillian Jacoba Grace LaClaire Chloe LaPorte Megan Preiss Megan Rider Catherine Schifano 50
Alyssa Schmidt Reagan Shea Clare Weisiger Julia Wiley Ashley Wright Troop 190 – Longmont Alexis Hartman Olivia Jarvis Susanna Jones Melanie Knight Petra Osborn Daphne Phelps Simone Saulnier Patricia Smith Megan Swenson Troop 194 – Grand Junction Jasmine Archuleta Kaylee Buniger Christiana Cornwell Jordan Goertz Jessica Hajoglou Alyssa Jones Troop 202 – Craig Caitlin Bagley Alina David Burke Henderson Jaci McDiffett Brittnee Meats Molly Neton Taylor Ovenden Madison Reed
Trinity Schenck Alyssa Spencer Troop 204 – Aurora Shana Barnett Carlee Everson Sidney Johnson Kelsey Kisner Lindsay Papper LeAnn Smith Alexis Tenorio Taylor Trail Troop 212 – Colorado Springs Karissa Highlander Alexa Hulmes Destinee Lamb Nyia Lamb Jordan Meyer Amanda Smith Troop 223 – Aurora Melia Reyther Ashley Trujillo Troop 291 – Englewood Molly Parris Troop 301 – Lakewood Hannah Billerbeck Suzy Walsh Sydney Weathers
Troop 383 – Aurora Melony Erly Rachel Ross Troop 401 – Highlands Ranch Natalia Acosta Ashley Burns Ally Gosselin Isabella Gross Megan Mondragon Chloe Powers Samantha Sinclair Kaitlin Yokley Troop 480 – Niwot Sydney Atkins Lauren Bock Taylor Ellis Haley Heidemann Katy Hirano Katy Humble Sierra Ivan Camryn Kenkel Becky Klatt Erica Landreth Kayleigh Limbach Hailey Noterman Claire Ryan Sarah Scharff Carly Sorenson Erica Walters Troop 485 – Denver Maddie Alms Marin Clapper
Rachel Golledge Mei Harrison Parker Keber Jasmyne Lindsey Helen Maley Myah Roberts Maxcy Ross Julie Rumpf Katie Schachter Zelda Sidener Reese Smith Maddie Solomon Maggie Torgerson Troop 494 – Longmont Eryn DiZerega Mallory Granger Hailey Kellogg Kyra McDonald Danielle Miller Savannah Orvis Anna Raehal Siera Reisner Victoria Taylor Troop 532 – Berthoud Laurelanne Hardy Emma Lawrence Lydia Moors Tristan Pope Troop 548 – Golden Jessie Asay Carrie Bishop
Brooke Campbell Rhyse Fairchild Mazy Hogan Cammy Lee Mackenzie Lincoln Savannah Lincoln Bailey Parker Adi Uleha Kailey Vanevenhoven Ashlyn Wagner Katie Wood Troop 552 – Aurora Kira Hopkins Eleanor Votodian Troop 561 – Grand Lake Grace Little Brooke Stacy Taylor Stacy Troop 699 – Broomfield Maleah Ayars Taylor Carlson Kara Dobbs Brenna Giblin Aleena Gunter Sefra Hodge Elaina Kelley Kenzie Vierra Allie Welch Troop 727 – Aurora Brianna Battung Megan Bradford 51
2011-2012 Bronze Award Recipients (cont.) Jessica Brookie Abriana Cuvelier Chelsea Gearhart Sydney Goodson Hailey Harris Tristan Ikeda Cayla Kennedy Kyleigh Knapp Kyla Moore Emily Schaum Troop 744 – Highlands Ranch Moira Davis Victoria Gonzales Sydney Hanson Taylor Hopple Arianna Rex Amanda Rowe Emily Stillwell Haylee Weise Troop 745 – Centennial Christina Bryant Troop 788 – Erie Audra Alvarado Faith Chatten Brinkley Jaramillo Christina Jourden Allison Martin Kenlie Rohrer Natalie Valdez
Troop 841 – Littleton Shaelee Haaf Jocelyn Hodovance Evalynn Pirnack Amber Sheeran Kate Wootton Troop 903 – Evergreen Alex Hummell Alina Ramig Rachel Roamer Amanda Stup Troop 910 – Colorado Springs Caitlin Cairns Mary Katherine Fitzpatrick Emma Hybl Samantha Litten Mckayla Nelson Angelina O’Connor Alexa Plante Aurora Sawyer Troop 918 – Littleton Jessica Broome Darkia Brown Courtney Coleman Alissa Oster Jessica Rindahl Hanna Williamson Troop 921 – Colorado Springs Hannah Lundquist
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Troop 922 – Colorado Springs Daijah Jones Isis Nichols Troop 958 – Centennial Mary Burns Kaya Duncan Abi Graham Allie Highsmith Megan Nelson Erin Smith Bella Sumner Julia Zelaya Troop 1019 – Bailey Mae Costello Brenna Curry Kylen Curry Lauren DeMarco Shyla Hoglan Kate Michel Kayleigh Mills Katy Monahan Allyse Nothstine Troop 1029 – Shawnee Chantel Flukiger Parker Girod Troop 1066 – Aurora Mackenzie Fish Emma Hansan Angel Mullen Brandi Rollins Isabel Stantz
Troop 1094 – Littleton Kayleigh Dewar Lauren Guagno Katie Koch Katelyn Treese
Tasha DiRanna Bristol Lacey Talya Lynch Alex Merrill Chase Morris Kaitlyn VerBrugge
Troop 1105 – Fountain Nichole Carano
Troop 1327 – Aurora Savannah Carlucci Sierra Davis Katelynn Eckles Faith Manning Amanda Minor Ricki Palmisano McKenzie Sievert Emily Spicer Ashley Whiting
Troop 1108 – Grand Junction Kylie Babeon Jessalyn Herrera Leslie Jones Troop 1113 – Arvada Lauren Dunnewald Kira Morris Abby Reeder Natalie Snyder Troop 1166 – Denver Maia Hoeckelman Maura Turner Katie Vaeth Troop 1254 – Highlands Ranch Sydney Hafer Madelyn Toman Annie Trizna Riley Vallot Troop 1292 – Parker Tiara Chapman Belle DiRanna
Troop 1328 – Louisville Caitlin Browne Shloka Dhar Avery Golder Averi Hoffman Lily Horst Hana Lauer Julia Litz Ella McDonald Laura Minter Katie Riggins Shaedon Sorbo Troop 1348 – Aurora Charisma Bartlett Emily Crist Sara Liberatore Ivy Nickles
Ravyn SchneiderMendoza Brianna Specht Troop 1363 – Boulder Julia Ellis Brigid Mead Rowan Phillips Dariya Zavortny Troop 1425 – Castle Rock Emily Baldelli Hayden Baldwin Audrey Hoskins Kaylee Schuler Kyleigh Smithwick Kaitlyn Wilson Brooklyn Young Troop 1460 – Littleton Abby Hause Mychaela Hodous Veronica Larson Haley Lukowicz Renee Lukowicz Lindsay Rasizer Laurette Selleck Maile Starr Lydia Waterman Annamarie Wright Troop 1519 – Grand Junction Allyson Laible
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2011-2012 Bronze Award Recipients (cont.) Troop 1587 – Colorado Springs Grace Bergacker Abby Culbertson Sara Green-McMurry Marcella Veis Dorina Vida Troop 1619 – Lafayette Kate Berg Ingrid Cooper Kaylee Hall Claire Hankla Claire Hathcoat Jessie Huth Anna Lettau-Fresquez Kayla Ramirez Claire Roalson Megan Schmid Jessica Shuler Emily Soder Maddy Swarm-Hewitt Hannah Topliss Troop 1630 – Arvada Jenna Chavez Ashley Drye Kelly Hanrahan Solana Holguin Aspen Lucero Samantha Quintana Sasha Ramer Rachael Stankiewicz
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Troop 1639 – Thornton Megan Ball Bita Bell Jillian Campbell Serena Hockins Jordan Layton Haley Longcrier Amy McClure Hannah Pollock Troop 1647 – Golden Heidi Smith Troop 1695 – Littleton Tori Heep Gabby Johnson Julianne Kim Cassidy Moore Maggie Nuttall Rachel Stoneking Lily Touhey Troop 1726 – Boulder Anna Archuleta Zoe Barley Juliana Birkenkamp Corey Christiansen Emily Dalgleish Emily Glaser Madison Hamilton Maya Hladisova Michaela Lucas Alyssa Millard Sara Miller-Perez Samantha Wallace
Alexa Warner Mia Zender Troop 1772 – Aurora Mikayla Algeo Malia Bernhardt Hannah Carey Maddie Crespo Kylee Ellinger Maddison Godlin Jordan Koopman Lochlan Layne Maddison Leeper Payton Nolan Ally St. John Mackenzie Seip Brittany Stadler Afton Tanner Troop 1866 – Morrison Bethany Demuth Maija Duran Angela Giles Callie Grawe Casey Johnston Cece Kronemeyer Riley Morgenthaler Rachel Shirlaw Grace Soell Annika Waisanen Troop 1884 – Centennial Shira Barnett Talia Barnett Sarah Edelman
Olivia Farrar Lauren Gates Samantha Gross Amber Hall Molly Stang Emerson Vandenbergh Troop 1887 – Centennial Mallori Ackerman Danise Bauchman Megan Carter Caitlynn Hansen Emma Hazeiton Audrey Pass Mykaela Ryan Gwyn Slape Lily Sullivan Amy Tomshack Jordan Wood Troop 1947 – Colorado Springs Kalyana Gallagher Chloe Hilby Alexa Huesgen-Hobbs Lauren Sutz Troop 1951 – Highlands Ranch Alexis Brooker Briana Cahill Emily Jones Kaitlyn Krason Briana Scherrer Pourna Sengupta
Allyson Story Sydney Trichler Troop 1975 – Granby Kiera Barr Madison DeCicco Ana Makowski Kendall Maone Karmen Reynolds Troop 2012 – Colorado Springs Kelley Asselin Taylor James Julia Uddenberg Troop 2035 – Littleton Asha Barteczka Destyny Bartel Najah Chaoua Jada Eckel Lujane Hanna Arianna Hernandez Kayla Lawer Skylar Lodice Izel Palomares Troop 2055 – Colorado Springs Kate Danis Sophie Dawrant Sydney Dawrant Rosie Devine Regan Jolstad Isabella LaGrassa Danica Simpson Peyton Walters
Troop 2079 – Highlands Ranch Kylie Clark Sadie Collinsworth Abby Conley Isabella Dempsey Sabrina Elsell Madelyn Graser Mariah Moore Jenna Wesson Troop 2090 – Castle Rock Theresa Cronin Sara Eftang Victoria Hebdon Lily Manke Lauren Miller Allexus Noriega Kylie Starrett Troop 2136 – Aurora Evelyn Coggins Molly Coveyduck Taylar Espinosa Madeline Kling Sierra Lucero Megan Patrick Cassandra Ranisate Amber Savage Hannah Todd Brieyana Walton Katlynn Webster Sarah Weller
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2011-2012 Bronze Award Recipients (cont.) Troop 2145 – Parker Emilie Crowe Lauren Daniels Rachel Dermer Michelle Diller Payton Hecht Maddie Kellar Briana Melendez Grace Servia Troop 2160 – Fort Collins Olivia Brumbaugh Erika Hutchinson Sonja Mantey Madi Shorthill Samantha Shorthill Sydney Shortman Hope Tharp Lauren Wang Troop 2183 – Castle Rock Grace Bowman Ashley Eilers Mercedes Geurin Quindrid Gorman Julia Hughes Blayn Masoner Jillian Seeman Emily Wickenheisser Troop 2201 – Parker Mia Aguon Yena Cho Gabrielle Eckard Makayla Fox 56
McKenna Gilbreth Mallory Palizzi Lexi Stark Sydney Stark Troop 2204 – Lafayette Ashley Briski Natalie Fitzpatrick Caroline Frenzel Hannah Gorman Sophie Hughes Val Jonas Lauryn Legeer Emily Moore Lauren Sheeks Troop 2242 – Westminster Sarah Colgan Inga Erickson Ivy Gonzales Nicole Gonzales Tanvi Gopalabhatla Olivia Johnson Cheney Singer Kaitlin Steinfort Katie Szumski Madison Theesfeld Troop 2245 – Aurora Jessica Hixson Jamie McCool Asia Menchaca Brianna Ortiz Madison Schumm
Troop 2327 – Arvada Lauren Bader Ashley Beard Peyton Conrad Gianna Guadagni Kim Hobson Hannah Immel Heidi Immel Genna LaRocque Braiden McClurg Elena Moore Emma Moran Lauren Owens Lauren Ulvedal Troop 2348 – Brighton Erin Grove Sophia Hull Erin Roth Devean Trujillo Troop 2481 – Highlands Ranch Lisa Crawford Daphne Gosseu Taylor Haword Abby Lauer Troop 2490 – Littleton Emma Schneider Catherine Winkler Troop 2525 – Arvada Morgan Eash Aubrey Empson
Jeri Empson Mariah Ibarra Larysa Medina Jessica Miller Troop 2534 – Arvada Bailey Hodgson Skylar Koch Keaton Maring Halle Mills Brianna Wolle Troop 2540 – Centennial Kira Acosta Meghan Atwell Rose Clark Jia Jia Douglas Kira Douglas Madison Grimm Emerson Klever Julia Kortz Ciara Langdow Molly Leibbrandt Tessa Miller Grace Petroff Samantha Poole Makayla Rapp Galya Sickles Emma Walilko Abbey White Melissa Yang Troop 2573 – Centennial Chloe Ashworth Victoria Delate
Alejandra Fabre Maddie Friedman Emma Gollob Sofia Gratton Claire Hendee Claire Kelly Sarah Knapp Gwen MacLennon Choi Minna Rachel Moes Annie Morrison Emmaleth Ryan Troop 2629 – Parker Macey Dodd Mary Dyson Kristin Hoffman Kaitlyn Knight Ashley Leroi Leah McChesney Lauren McClung Meredith Mistrot Kelly Moroney Olivia Rutkowski Abby Ulrich Emily Van Gorder Troop 2674 – Highlands Ranch Morgan Burger Fiona Gilfillan Allison Hodge Helen Norblom Marissa Richards Kyra Roach Madison Sassaman
Troop 2684 – Thornton Lilly Alexander Tori Andreen Amber Guzman Oakley Lanham Breanna Mink Melody Pilapil Anna Rowe Sienna Tanner Makayla Veale Troop 2699 – Aurora Tatyana Bull Mariah Byers Brooke Gates Amalia McClurken Karissa Medina Juliana Moore Kailani Moore Allison Ranucci Sydne Wiederspan Troop 2706 – Lafayette Vanessa Brown Troop 2763 – Highlands Ranch Madelyn DeFore Kassidy Hellman Ashley McFerrin Annelise Mikita Olivia Myers Anna Poelma
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2011-2012 Bronze Award Recipients (cont.) Troop 2782 – Denver Grecia Alcantar Olivia Hazard Lauren MacMillan Abigail Metscher Glynnis Murphy Skylar Phillips
Troop 3302 – Arvada Brittany Blish Arianna Martinez Leticia Salazar
Troop 2852 – Broomfield Shania Royce
Troop 3465 – Denver Analiese AbbasiChavez Lillian Brooks Abby Bryne Isabella Camerena Grace Carstenson Lauren DeAnda Micaela Jun Elizabeth Meschia Kianna Nguyen Amaya Rios Graciela Smet Emma Stewart Nicole Taro Lelia Winn
Troop 2879 – Centennial Kathleen Laughton Troop 3068 – Aurora Juliana Davis Ryan Gomez Maddie Heiken Karina Tatarka Troop 3125 – Denver Holly Hufford Troop 3210 – Highlands Ranch Karlie Bonds Robyn Crawley Riley Davis Payton Land Amanda Marlow Gabrielle Mietzner Paiglyn Perez Mariya Reza Kaitlin Schnell Mia White-Lacomb 58
Troop 3313 – Aurora Cristina Detwiler
Troop 3488 – Longmont Gigi Bell Jordyn Blaha Katelyn Bond Trinity Brubaker Hanna Burns Hannah Burton Emily Churchich Taylor Daugherty Sarah Freese Delaney Sheets Cali Tutkowski
Troop 3496 – Colorado Springs Ashley Emmons Cora Ferguson Shaynie Segal Troop 3705 – Westminster Skylar Gunter Sierra Jenkins Maria Lazano Tiana LeBeck Rebecca Manuel London Samson Samantha Sarmir Audrey Sheldon Emma Shileny Troop 3787 – Boulder Natalie Bell Jessica Booth Sarah Buck Claire Feddema Eevee Murdock Rianna Waddell Troop 3823 – Loveland Caitlyn Anthony Layla Benefiel Barrett Gibson Katelyn Hunter Maisy Montagu Reina Payne Taylor Prindiville Rachel Rosen Lerin Workman
Troop 3830 – Firestone MaKayla Dreher Shade Grimsley Kathryn Holbrook Desiree Mast Samantha Street Kiya Tupper Rava Watson Anna Weingartner Troop 3844 – Fort Collins Kyra Adamson Station Charters Taylor Lyle Amber Reynolds Rachel Weiss Catherine Zhang Troop 9508 – Denver Rivka Reiffman
Best efforts have been made to include all 2011-2012 Highest Award recipients. If we have missed anyone, or have any other errors, please let us know, and we will make the correction on the website. 59
You have touched the future Girls who earn one or more of the Highest Awards receive much moral support and encouragement from their parents, families, troop leaders, advisors and mentors. To all of those who have provided encouragement, support and guidance to these young women — thank you. They could not have done it without you. Volunteers in each region who serve as members of the Gold Award Committee for Girl Scouts of Colorado work closely with the girls earning the awards, encouraging them to strive for their personal best. Their dedication makes a lifelong difference for these candidates as they learn what it truly means to accomplish goals and stretch abilities.
Erica Oakley, co-chair Ambra Virban, co-chair Casey Ambrose Kathy Ambrose Ann Barthrop
Metro Denver Kim Buehler Amy Costello Rae Ann Dougherty Felica Goett Paula Millsapps
Leslee Randolph Ann Southam Amy Wright Jennie Zwiers
North and Northeastern Colorado Lauren Carter Janet Mulay Linda Robinson Pike’s Peak, San Luis Valley and Southeastern Colorado Kelly Dias Molly Gustafson Christine Hennessey Audra Koch Kathi Reddan Western Slope Rachael TerLouw, chair Sue Kiser Sarah Deard Heidi Ragsdale Katie Griffiths Angila Snyder Staff Gwen Piehn, Highest Awards Statewide Mary Ann Deard, Western Colorado Martha Lockhart, Eastern Colorado 60