Gold Award Girl Scouts

Gold Award Girl Scouts don’t just change the world for the better, they change it for good.

The Gold Award is earned by girls in grades 9–12 who demonstrate extraordinary leadership in developing sustainable solutions to local, national, and global challenges. Since 1916, Girl Scouts have answered the call to drive lasting, impactful change.

GSKH Gold Award Girl Scouts ❧ 2018-2019

Anayah Elsen, before graduating from Parsons High School, earned the Gold Award for her "Cut the Drama out of Trauma" project. Discovering how difficult emergency room environments are for children, she focused on creating an initiative that would comfort children during difficult times. Her program delivers supply bags filled with coloring books, stress alleviating toys, and safety tips for families of the children. New decor and child-safe tablets for gaming and watching movies were also provided. This sustainable effort has been introduced to several hospitals and other medical spaces for children.

Ashley Mann graduated this May from Parsons High School. After noticing a lack of access to books, she decided to take action. Ashley set up two Little Free Libraries in her community, citing her love for reading inspired by her father as a driving force behind her project. Building the libraries required her to learn new skills including woodworking, power-coating, and welding. Along the way, she also discovered a new love of problem solving to better her community. Earning the Gold Award has encouraged her to continue making the world a better place.

Dalyn McFee graduated from Rawlins County High School in 2019. Dalyn's passion for working with children manifested in her "Snuggle and Read" project, which focused on increasing the literacy skills of children in foster care. She placed donation boxes at local church and several businesses, activating the support of community members through the collection of books and blankets. Coordination with local social workers and ministries allowed her the opportunity to donate bags filled with books and blankets. These bags will continue to be given to foster children as they are moved to and from homes without the ability to take personal belongings.

Lacy Bower graduated from Hutchinson High School in 2019 after receiving her Gold Award. She created and implemented her "A Walk of Love" project, aimed at supporting individuals as they seek help from abuse. Lacy provided a sustainable method of collection for necessities such as toiletries, clothing, and food for those in need. Two collection boxes circulate during Domestic Awareness Month in October that the Hutchinson community now maintains.

Lauren Baldwin, a 2019 graduate of Labette County High School, earned her Gold Award by developing a fitness program focused on restoring mobility for seniors in Parsons. She integrated technology to promote healthy habits by introducing a Nintendo Wii into the lives of nursing home residents. A tangibly positive atmosphere was created as Parsons residents engaged with the program.

Misty Cole graduated from Spearville High School in 2019. She earned her Gold Award by revitalizing garden beds throughout her community. Her initiative ensured that old garden beds were given new life, increasing the quality of life for Dodge City residents. Materials were provided with local groups to ensure repairs can be made and the garden beds can last 30 years like the ones before them.

Nena Taylor earned her Gold Award before graduating from Parsons Senior High School in 2019. Upon hearing community members discuss the need for more youth fitness options, Nena took action. She constructed a Gaga Pit for her local church and the youth group it serves. She spread the word throughout her school district with flyers and the local recreation center's newsletter. Once complete, the entire community was invited for a Girl Scouts "S'mores and Gaga Pit" celebration.