Celebrating those who earned the highest achievement in Girl Scouting.
GOLD AWARD G I R L SCOU T S 2019
Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts 420 Boylston Street, Suite 505 • Boston, MA 02116 Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts 301 Kelly Way • Holyoke, MA 01040
The Girl Scout Gold Award The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest award in Girl Scouting and recognizes girls who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through remarkable Take Action projects that have sustainable impact in their communities and beyond. A girl must spend a minimum of 80 hours working on her project, and must complete all seven steps. 1 Choose an issue 2 Investigate 3 Get help 4 Create a plan
5 Present your plan 6 Take action 7 Educate and inspire
Gold Award Facts & Figures ⚬ ⚬ ⚬ ⚬ ⚬
Gold Award Girl Scouts spend between one and two years on their projects. The average age of Gold Award Girl Scouts is 17. In 100 years, more than one million girls nationally have earned the Gold Award or its equivalent. Gold Award Girl Scouts who join the armed services enter at one rank higher than other recruits. University research indicates that adding the Gold Award to a college application is a critical element in the admissions decision process.
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.
Gold Award Prerequisites A girl must: ⚬ Be in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade ⚬ Be a registered Girl Scout Senior or Ambassador ⚬ Have completed two Senior or Ambassador Journeys or have earned the Girl Scout Silver Award and completed one Journey
The Girl Scout Alum Network All Girl Scout alums are invited to follow the Girl Scout Network on LinkedIn and join forces with like-minded women to effect positive change, gain career development opportunities, and be prepared for a lifetime of leadership and career success. Join your local alum network on your council’s website for information on fun events, networking opportunities, and more!
Dear Gold Award Girl Scouts, At this important time in history, our world needs young women like you—young women who are equipped with the skills and confidence to take on challenges and initiate change. You, along with your Gold Award Girl Scout sisters from across the Commonwealth (93 in total!), have demonstrated commitment to empowering yourself and improving your community. Dedicating over 80 hours of work to making a change is no easy task, and today we celebrate your extraordinary achievement in earning the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can earn. You are now part of a legacy of impressive Girl Scouts who have been making meaningful, sustainable change in their communities and around the world since our Movement’s founding in 1912. And it’s only just begun—as a Gold Award Girl Scout, you have invaluable leadership skills and the willpower to do even more, and stand firmly as an empowered advocate for yourself and others. Whatever your Girl Scout journey has been, it has brought you here as a capable leader and an exemplary role model; and no matter what path you pursue next, your Gold Award sets you apart. It is an honor to celebrate you as a Gold Award Girl Scout. You are the embodiment of courage, confidence, and character, and our world is a better place because of you. Yours in Girl Scouting,
Caitríona Taylor Chief Executive Officer Eastern Massachusetts
Tricia Tilford Board Chair and President Eastern Massachusetts
Patricia Hallberg Chief Executive Officer Central and Western Massachusetts
Joan Bertrand Board Chair Central and Western Massachusetts 1
to our Gold Award Girl Scouts!
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You are making the world a better place.
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Danielle C. Butler
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Acton
Pollinator Preserve
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Danielle was concerned over the declining population of pollinators due to pesticide use. When she learned from town administration that there was a plan for a new organic community garden with a site specifically for pollinators, she jumped at the opportunity to help. She started by building a pollinator garden and bee boxes in the new community garden. She also created educational flyers and hosted awareness workshops for younger Girl Scouts and adults about the importance of bees. These educational materials are available at the garden, and are part of the curriculum at local farm and after-school programs.
I had to step out of my comfort zone, be a leader, and think outside the box. I now feel more confident going out into the world having practiced these three things and that has changed my life.
Amiya Subramanian
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Acton
Closing the Gap in STEM Leadership Statistics show that only 18% of executive positions in STEM fields are occupied by women. Motivated by this statistic, Amiya developed STEM leadership workshops for girls in grades 7–12. At these workshops, the young women discussed the hurdles women face in the workplace, strengthened leadership skills through personal branding and negotiation activities, and learned strategies for navigating the negative messages women and girls tend to internalize in their everyday lives. These workshops are now being integrated into the high school leadership committee’s programming.
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From badge work to board meetings, I have transformed from an insecure little girl to an assertive young woman. I learned to embrace my strengths and gained a positive self-image.
Gwendolyn Payne
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Agawam
Polly Protects the Planet Children’s Book
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6
Gwendolyn has always had a passion for environmental science, and wanted to share it with younger children in her community. To earn the Gold Award, she wrote and illustrated a children’s book titled Polly Protects the Planet. This book demonstrates various ways that children can be more environmentally conscious. She also created activity kits that accompany the book. Gwendolyn earned money through bottle and can drives to publish the book and create the activity kits. To complete her project, Gwendolyn hosted a book reading at the public library, which along with local elementary schools, now holds copies of her book.
You don’t have to have a big name to make a difference in the world, you just need to do something you’re passionate about.
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Sarah Joy Dumaresq
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Barnstable
Health in Youth
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Sarah developed a program for children at a local preschool that focuses on habits for healthy living and the basics of various sports. The children learned and practiced various athletic activities and sports including stretching, basketball, obstacle courses, baseball, soccer, hockey, and more. The lessons also included healthy snack options, themed crafts, music and dance games, free time on the playground, and rest and recovery. Each day parents were given hand-outs with research, data, and at-home activities to continue the formation of healthy habits.
I learned that I can organize people to unite for one common goal. I am a leader and I have the ability to take initiative among my peers.
Caitlin Tricomi
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Beverly
Your Life is a Blank Page—Write on It! Caitlin developed a curriculum to help students express themselves through writing. She created an introductory survey and basic writing prompts for the students to start with, coordinated a series of educational writing workshops, and assisted the students in writing and illustrating their own stories, which she compiled and published. Caitlin conducted these workshops with younger Girl Scouts and students with The REAL Program, a nonprofit group working to build literacy skills with elementary school students. The REAL Program will continue to implement her workshops and help students publish stories.
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My experience in Girl Scouts has taught me to not be afraid of the unknown and has given me the confidence to do the things that I’ve been told I cannot do.
Ashley Marie Agostinelli
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Boston
Collegiate Sunshine
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Drawing from a loved one’s experience with a life-threatening illness, Ashley wanted to raise awareness of opportunities to support families and children affected by serious illnesses. She reached out to Camp Sunshine, a camp that provides supportive programming for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families, and set up a volunteer opportunity for students at Boston Collegiate Charter School during Camp Sunshine’s Great Pumpkin Weekend. In preparation, Ashley facilitated workshops and communications between Camp Sunshine and the volunteers. The school’s National Honor Society will continue to facilitate volunteer opportunities.
As a Girl Scout, I learned that service is important. I learned that community service can have a large impact and lasting effect.
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Holland Gillis
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Boston
In Your Face Basketball League
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Growing up, Holland had to travel far to participate in summer basketball programs since her community only offered a program for boys. To fix this inequality, Holland created a summer basketball league for girls in her community. She secured space and resources and gathered support from sponsors and local government representatives. Holland also arranged for local female business owners to attend the games and speak with the girls about their experiences overcoming obstacles and achieving their goals. Due to the program’s success, the local community center will continue to hold it each summer.
I have committed to playing DIII basketball at Rochester Institute of Technology, and the coach has voiced her enthusiasm at creating a similar league in her city of Rochester. This project is creating opportunities for more young players.
Mackenzie Kelly
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Boston
Safe and Savvy Social Media Knowing that problems arise every day from social media misuse, Mackenzie created a video and attendant curriculum for middle school students about social media etiquette, safety, and responsibility. The video is “by students, for students,” and takes an honest look at the adverse effects of cyberbullying, illegal substance promotion, LGBTQ+ intolerance, harassment on video game platforms, and other forms of social media misuse on physical and mental health. Boston Latin School will continue to provide these resources for middle school students.
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When I hit a few roadblocks, I learned to pivot and find new solutions. I think this experience will serve me well entering business school and beyond.
Anna Maria Marino
| Boston
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Hearts for Syria Anna Maria wanted to do her part to support Syrian refugees. She facilitated a drive at her school to collect cell phones, clothes, shoes, blankets, toys, and hygiene products. She worked with NuDay Syria, an organization that delivers aid to Syrian refugees. Anna Maria also gave informational talks at school events and hosted a booth at the local World Thinking Day event to raise awareness about the Syrian refugee crisis and why we need to keep supporting refugees. The Arabic Club at the school will continue this support.
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I chose this project because of my love of Arabic and my concern for the crisis. I knew I had to do my part to help, and I wanted to be able to use my skills for good.
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Heather Mulkerrin
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Boston
The Little Library Project Due to budget cuts for Boston Public Schools, the Joyce Kilmer Lower School in West Roxbury lost its library. In response, Heather organized a read-a-thon; caregivers, teachers, and other supporters pledged 25 cents per student for every chapter they read. In total, the read-a-thon resulted in $1,000 raised for the construction of little libraries. The Boston Public Library donated an overflow of books to fill the libraries. Heather also created a book club for third grade students to discuss the books they’re reading.
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When I began Girl Scouting, I was a completely different person than I am today. Growing up as a Girl Scout gave me a safe environment to develop as a person and make friends.
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Elise Poniatowski
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Boston
The Poetry Connection
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Elise had a desire to combat feelings of hopelessness and isolation brought on by the current social climate of the world, and facilitate a way for people to let their voices be heard. To take action, Elise created The Poetry Connection, a monthly event for community members to read or write their own poetry. Elise designed the meeting space to foster closeness and a comfortable atmosphere. She also provided food and beverages, and set up rules to avoid criticism or interrupting. The Poetry Connection is now a club at the local school that meets once a week.
I have found how to connect with my community. Girl Scouts has given me an opportunity to be grateful for what I have and use that privilege to help those who are not as well off.
Laurel E. Holmes
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Boylston
Let’s Make the Playground Fun Again! Laurel was volunteering at a town clean-up when she noticed that her old elementary school’s playground needed renovation. Motivated by her fond memories of the playground, Laurel met with the school staff to work out a plan for restoration. She assembled teams of community volunteers and together they repainted the world map and the hopscotch, basketball, and wall ball courts. Laurel also added an obstacle course to the pavement, developed outdoor enrichment activities, and created an activity book for the students.
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I am confident in what I say and do, and know that I can make a difference in the world.
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Ellie Scheirey
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Boxford
Be Good Do Good Ellie created an afterschool program at two local schools for students to engage in projects that support nonprofit organizations. The students made no-sew blankets and donated them to the Community Giving Tree. They also conducted a food drive and donated the items to their local food pantry. Prior to each activity, a representative from the organization visited the students and spoke about the importance of the organization’s work and the community’s involvement. Two local Girl Scouts are working with the Tri-Town Council to continue this program.
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From completing my Gold Award project, I have definitely gained confidence in myself and grown as a person. I have also gained the ability to take charge and control over a situation.
Michaela Davis
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Brookline
Invasive Plant Awareness
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Michaela learned to identity invasive plant species after volunteering with habitat restoration projects. She noticed there were many invasive plants in her community, and was motivated to spread awareness of the problem. Michaela created presentations and workshops about invasive plant species, the problems they cause, and how to remove them, and organized for guest speakers to present on their subject areas as well. She also created a website with information and recipes that use local invasive plants, and created recipe and information cards that she hung in local community gardens.
As a Girl Scout, I have gained confidence in myself to know that I have the strength and skills to achieve whatever I set my mind to.
Isabelle Clark
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Chelmsford
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Instrument Storage and Safety Isabelle was aware that the local middle school band had a limited budget and that instrument repair costs were taking away opportunities for students. In response, she built a large wooden shelving unit in which students could store their instruments properly and safely. She ensured that the materials and construction met the fire department’s code requirements, and that instruments of all sizes could fit in the unit. She also created a series of educational videos on instrument care, which is now part of the band curriculum.
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I plan on becoming a geological engineer, and working in environmental conservation and remediation. My project has exposed me to project planning and problem solving skills, which are essential to being a good engineer.
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Alexandra Gagnon
| Danvers
Nursing Home Friends Alexandra’s idea for her Gold Award project came while she was at her part time job at a nursing home. She assembled a team, and together they visited the Twin Oaks Nursing Home to conduct various games and activities with the residents, including art projects, bingo, porch gardening, singing, storytelling, dog visits, and Wii bowling. They also created a new game that combined the residents’ two favorite activities called “card bingo.” The team will continue to visit the nursing home once a month to facilitate the activities.
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In Girl Scouts I get out of my comfort zone, learn new things, teach people new things, meet new people, and better other people’s lives.
Elise Brayer
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Duxbury
Duxbury Beach Mapping To protect the local coastline habitat in her community, Elise created and posted signs along the beach about the local protected bird species, the Least Tern and Piping Plover. She conducted research on these species and on protection measures and worked with a younger Girl Scout troop in her town to create the signs. She then made GPS points for the sign locations for the public to find. Elise also put together an article about frequently asked questions related to these protected species and the new signs for the local newspaper.
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This project has taught me a lot about the beach and wildlife. It has also taught me not to wait to do things and to get help whenever I can.
Caroline Lambert
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East Freetown
POP: Protect Our Pollinators To address the issue of the declining pollinator population, Caroline focused on educating members of her community and surrounding towns. She created packets with information about pollinators and distributed seeds of pollinator-friendly plants at many local events to raise awareness. Caroline built two raised flower beds at the local Council on Aging to cultivate a local bee population, and provided ergonomic gardening tools for members to use for maintaining the beds. She also created a Facebook page that includes photos, information, and do-it-yourself videos on simple ways to protect pollinators.
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I now know going forward that I can do whatever I set my mind to and make a difference in the lives of others and the world.
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Katie Little
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East Freetown
Project Education Garden To address a lack of environmental education in her community, Katie built an education garden at Soule Homestead and developed an accompanying curriculum that focuses on three concepts: keystone species, food and water sustainability, and weather and climate. For the new garden, Katie constructed raised beds, installed a fence around them, and grew many plants including fruits, vegetables, and flowers from seeds. She taught the curriculum to third-grade students, utilizing hands-on lessons and showing them that bees are crucial to our ecosystems. Soule Homestead will continue to utilize her lessons and maintain the education garden.
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Courage and confidence come to my mind when I think about my time Girl Scouting because I’ve done so many new—and sometimes nerve-wracking—things, but each time I completed an activity or badge, I grew.
Caitlin Tedeschi
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East Longmeadow
Communication is Key: Stop Stigma, Drop Assumptions, and Roll with the Flow Caitlin created an informational pamphlet outlining common assumptions around mental illness, the societal stigma associated with these assumptions, and how stigma affects people with mental illnesses. The pamphlet is available in her school’s guidance office, but Caitlin also wanted to spread the word more broadly. She created a series of interview-style videos and posted them to YouTube, providing insight on how some of her peers have been affected by mental illness and the stigma around it.
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Girl Scouting to me means strength in numbers, as well as within yourself; it’s a sense of empowerment.
Kriza Aguiar Baldow
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Essex
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“Eagle’s Nest” Nature Path The elementary school in Kriza’s community has a pond area that could not be used due to safety hazards, and was overgrown with invasive species that impact the local wildlife. After recruiting a team of volunteers, Kriza restored this area by first clearing litter, recyclable materials, invasive species, and fallen trees. Then she created a permanent path, using gravel to cover muddy areas for full accessibility and safety, and raised the water level of the pond to sustain its wildlife. Along the path she installed benches and signs that promote taking care of the environment.
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Girl Scouts has provided me the confidence to tackle new experiences with the support of inspiring girls and women. From the moment I became a Girl Scout, I have been more inclined to step outside of my comfort zone.
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Kelsey Aggrey
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Fitchburg
Monty Tech Music Program Kelsey has long had a passion for music, and on entering high school was dismayed to discover a lack of music electives. To earn the Gold Award, she created and facilitated a cooperative band and choral program with the music departments of Leominster High School and Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School. The students performed biannually and also hosted a talent show. The cooperative program is now a permanent part of the curriculum at both schools.
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I will forever advocate for those who feel they have no voice because everyone holds a tremendous amount of potential and can change the world.
Amanda Fawell
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Framingham
SPARC (Seeking Passions Among Resilient Children)
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Working in collaboration with Family Promise Metrowest, a local homeless shelter, Amanda created Seeking Passions Among Resilient Children (SPARC), a program that supports children in the shelter system with extracurricular activities. Amanda’s goal was to introduce the children to potential passions that they might not otherwise have the opportunity to explore. She facilitated workshops about yoga, art, drama, and more for the shelter’s residents. After writing a proposal and creating a budget, Amanda also redesigned and outfitted a new playroom for the children at the shelter.
Girl Scouts is an organization that taught me the power of women and gave me brave and passionate female role models.
Eliza Wolf Menzel
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Framingham
Access, Period. Eliza created an educational program about the need for women to have greater access to feminine hygiene products both in the United States and in the developing world. Her lessons covered the stigma surrounding menstruation and the lack of access to feminine hygiene products for girls and women, including those experiencing homelessness and incarceration. She also conducted two drives for feminine hygiene products, and worked with the local high school’s National Honor Society to ensure the drives are conducted annually.
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I will be attending Smith College. I am currently planning to major in Cultural Anthropology with a focus on social issues. My Gold Award has equipped me with the tools to get to the root of the social inequality cycle.
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Jenna Riedl
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Framingham
ForeverAfter Jenna wanted to facilitate interactions between high school students and local seniors—two groups that don’t often have opportunities to connect. Jenna chose the medium of storytelling to create these connections. Students met and talked with seniors at local residential facilities, and afterwards wrote stories about the seniors’ lives based on their conversations. Seniors gained a sense of connection and fulfillment, and students learned and practiced in-person conversation and listening skills. A book of the stories is available at the residential facilities, and this program is part of the Framingham High School English curriculum.
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During this project I learned that hearing other people’s stories is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have.
Samantha Ward
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Franklin
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Sign of Signs: Improving the Integration of Hearing and Deaf Students While interning with the Program for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children through READS Collaborate, Samantha noticed that hearing, deaf, and hard-of-hearing children weren’t playing together during recess. In response, she facilitated games that don’t require verbal communication to play, and taught the hearing children basic American Sign Language (ASL). Samantha also sketched, developed, and installed an ASL alphabet sign for the playground, receiving approval from the Norton Parks Department and School Committee. She has passed along her lesson plans to the teachers.
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A Girl Scout is someone who not only stands with others for what they belief in, but goes even further by reaching out to their community to make the change they want to see in the world.
Vineetha Yadlapalli
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Franklin
Healing through Art Vineetha read several studies that show a decrease in anxiety and negative emotions in hospital patients after exposure to art and other creative activities. With this in mind, she put together art kits for pediatric and adult patients. She reached out to different groups in the community for art supply donations, and distributed the kits to three local hospitals. Vineetha provided nurses with tutorials for utilizing the art kits with patients, and a local Girl Scout troop will continue to raise awareness about art and healing.
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Earning the Gold Award has changed my life because it helped me realize that I want to work in a service-related career and specifically in the sciences and medicine.
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Molly Zarriello
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Grafton
Bottle Caps for a Better World Fueled by her passion for the environment, Molly began collecting bottle caps and used them to make a mural at the local elementary school. Her goal was to raise awareness among younger students about environmental conservation and recycling. In addition to creating the mural, she developed a lesson plan and activity book about reducing, reusing, and recycling and how to embrace these ideals.
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The definition of sisterhood to me is the camaraderie and kindness in Girl Scouting.
Kiera Ciolkos
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Hadley
Cystic Fibrosis Wellness through Fitness Drawing from her experience of losing a loved one to Cystic Fibrosis, Kiera wanted to educate her community on Cystic Fibrosis and how it affects both people diagnosed with the disorder and their families. Working in coordination with an organization that ensures access to appropriate fitness programs for Cystic Fibrosis patients, Kiera created a patient brochure about the disorder. She also coordinated boot camps for local youth sports teams to educate them on the physical effects of Cystic Fibrosis.
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To fix a problem all it takes is a little dedication and a great team to create a solution and make the world a better place.
Felicia Fil
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Hadley
Socializing with Seniors Felicia was aware of two major problems in the Hadley community: a low number of youth involved in her church, and a lack of socialization activities for seniors. In response, Felicia coordinated monthly bingo nights to encourage intergenerational engagement. The bingo nights were hosted at the local church and at a local assisted living facility, bringing together more than 100 community members. Felicia also used funds raised through the bingo nights to plan a free senior prom for community members over sixty. The Hadley community will continue hosting these events for its youth and seniors.
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Because of Girl Scouts, I am confident in who I am and can proudly walk into a room of strangers and be assertive of my thoughts and ideas.
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Hannah Boucher
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Hingham
Fitness Club Hannah created a fitness club for girls at the local middle and high schools. With help from a certified personal trainer, she created workout circuits specialized for individual fitness plans. Members of the club set goals and created benchmarks to help them progress, with incentives given along the way. They learned how to use the exercise equipment at the school gym, the importance of stretching before and after exercising, and how to set goals to stay on track. Hannah also gave presentations about nutrition and gym safety using data and research provided by subject matter experts.
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This project helped me develop the confidence to lead, which will be important for me as an aspiring Cadet of the United States Coast Guard Academy.
Emma Bograd
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Hopkinton
Dog Park Education for People Upon hearing that her town was planning to build a dog park, Emma was inspired to provide resources to members of the community on how to maintain a safe environment at dog parks. She started by observing many dog parks at various times of day, surveying dog owners who frequent dog parks, and conducting research on dog behavior and aggression. She created a presentation and held a class on utilizing dog parks. She created an online version of the class to teach owners how to keep themselves and their dogs safe in dog parks.
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Girl Scouting means teaching girls to be caring, accepting of others, strong, and independent, and to pursue what they believe in.
Grace Darkow
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Hopkinton
Little Engineers To expose more girls to engineering at a young age, Grace created a four-week afterschool engineering program for first grade girls. She spread the word about the program throughout her town and gathered student volunteers to help facilitate the lessons, which focused on what engineers do, well-known female engineers, and the design process. The lessons included hands-on challenges like building structures that can keep a horse afloat, safely transport an egg, and roll a marble down a path. Grace provided her lesson plans to even more schools to continue exposing more young girls to engineering.
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Girl Scouts has taught me how to use my resources wisely and this helped me when I was planning and running my Little Engineers program.
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Melissa Miles Hayes
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Hopkinton
Girls LEGO® Robotics Melissa was determined to provide a supportive space for girls to pursue their STEM curiosities. She created an eight-week afterschool robotics program for girls in fourth and fifth grades. They constructed LEGO® robots and tested them in a variety of team-building activities and competitions. The girls had mentors to assist them in creating the robots and overcoming challenges. The program will continue under the direction of students in the Hopkinton High School robotics class.
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Girl Scouts brought me life-long friends, and the self-confidence and desire to take on leadership roles, especially roles involving advocacy for women’s rights.
Mallory Peishoff
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Hopkinton
Shared Songs Mallory wanted to connect generations within her community through music. The May Pops concert is the high school’s most attended and socially dynamic event of the year, and Mallory wanted to engage the senior population at this event. She coordinated with a local assisted living facility for residents to attend the concert free of charge. She organized transportation and reserved seating for the residents. She created a project plan to ensure that this relationship is continued in the future with the high school performances.
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Being in Girl Scouts for so long has always made me value the idea of community involvement and hard work, and working toward the Gold Award has taught me invaluable skills.
Sarah McGregor
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Lancaster
Community Center Accessibility Project While brainstorming ways to make the local community center more inviting, Sarah discovered that the only access to its elevator was blocked by vegetation. To ensure accessibility, she assembled a team of volunteers to clear the pathway to the door. But Sarah and her team didn’t stop there—they also planted a garden along the path and painted a mural on the wall, making the community center both accessible and inviting.
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I have made incredible friends, participated in rewarding experiences, and learned that anyone can make a difference in their community.
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Lia Darling
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Lincoln
Lack of Information about Mental Illness in My School To increase mental health awareness in her school and community, Lia formed a club called Bringing About Change. Members facilitated wellness discussions with fellow students throughout May (Mental Health Awareness Month), and planned four events that focused on ways to stay mentally healthy and the differences between mental illnesses. Lia also created two documentaries about depression and anxiety, and organized for a public speaker to talk with the high school teachers about mental health in classrooms. The school agreed to implement a mandatory mental health curriculum for ninth grade students.
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The knowledge and confidence that Girl Scouting has given me can help me overcome different challenges and do something that will make a change.
Ashley du Toit
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Lincoln
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Cycling Safety in Lincoln After many serious cycling accidents occurred in her town, Ashley was motivated to educate the public about how to navigate the road safely. After meeting with the local Cycling Safety Advisory Committee to learn cycling laws, she created a proposal for the creation and installation of bike lane road signs. She presented the plan to the Lincoln Road and Traffic Committee and the Lincoln Department of Public Works and received approval from both. Upon installation, Ashley hosted a cycling safety education day for children; they decorated their bikes to make them more noticeable, learned about cycling safety, and participated in a cycling obstacle course.
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Through my 13 years of Girl Scouting, I have learned that I am just as capable as any man to do a task and lead a team. It has taught me strength and dignity.
Alison Dwyer
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Lincoln
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Improving Participation in Lincoln’s Town Government Since a young age, Alison has been interested in how government works, and has been concerned about the low levels of participation from younger community members. She conducted research through surveys and experimentation in order to discover where to focus her awareness efforts. In response, she produced a video about local, state, and federal government, which is now on the town website and part of the eighth grade curriculum. She also posted signboards throughout her town to inform residents of local concerns and created a spreadsheet for the town website with information on the town boards and committees.
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Through Girl Scouts I have gotten better at advocating for myself, even if that means I need to challenge somebody in order to get my voice heard.
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Anya Elder
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Lincoln
Cyberbullying Awareness and Education Anya was motivated to address the issue of cyberbullying. Utilizing many statistics and data, she created a multimedia presentation about cyberbullying both locally and nationally. She included information about the increasing presence of technology and social media, and the risks, effects, and severity of cyberbullying. She presented her report throughout the community and worked with the school administration to coordinate an assembly; Anya was able to reach hundreds of community members with her presentation, which is being incorporated into the school’s wellness lessons.
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I learned a lot about myself, and the challenges I’m willing and excited to take on. My Gold Award has given me a lot of confidence and helped me to mature. Girl Scouts empowered me.
Audrey Ory
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Lincoln
Financial Literacy for Middle School Girls After experiencing gender inequality in her school’s Finance Club, Audrey created a financial literacy curriculum for middle school girls so they could develop financial literacy skills and familiarity. Audrey developed six workshops on budgeting, the stock market, insurance, salaries, credit cards, taxes, loans, and more. She also partnered with Invest in Girls, an organization with similar financial literacy education goals for girls, and they adopted some of the activities that Audrey developed. The curriculum is now taught as a school elective, and is available at the school library and online.
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Girl Scouts played a major role in finding my own personal morals and ideals, and that impact shows in my thoughts and actions every day.
Nicole Biagioni
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Littleton
Every 15 Minutes To raise awareness of the problems of underage drinking and drunk driving, Nicole set up a series of simulations at her school before prom season that demonstrated the statistic that every 15 minutes someone in the United States gets into an accident due to drunk driving. The simulations included a mock car accident, police and firefighter emergency responses, and a mock funeral. She also used student participation to show the impact of a death by drunk driving every 15 minutes. The peer leadership group at the school will continue the simulations each year.
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This experience helped me push my comfort limits and encouraged me to take on any challenge because I know when I set my mind to it, I can accomplish it.
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Kelly Davis
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Littleton
Littleton Tigers Archery Club Archery has been a part of Kelly’s life since she started high school, and she wanted to provide wider access to this sport as an alternative to more traditional sports. She created an archery club at Littleton Middle and High School and raised funds for bow kits and instructor certifications. The club met twice a week during the summer and once a week during the school year to practice archery and develop additional skills related to safety, teamwork, coordination, and mental excellence. Kelly also created an educational booklet about competitive archery, which she distributed to other Massachusetts schools.
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Girl Scouting to me means empowerment. I am proud to be a Girl Scout and to have been one from the start of Daisies until now. Girl Scouting lifts girls up and gives them the platform to share their passions.
Sophia Litle
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Lynn
Hidden Collection
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Sophia learned that the Lynn Library had attics filled with artifacts that its staff didn’t have time to sort through, and was inspired to take on the task. She sorted through the items and worked with a local authenticator to evaluate and catalog the artifacts. She then created a permanent display at the library and an accompanying book of information for each artifact. She hosted a celebration on the opening night of the display, and was able to educate community members in attendance on the artifacts and town history.
Girl Scouts taught me what it means to set goals and achieve them. I have learned how to be a sister to not only Girl Scouts but to complete strangers.
Meredith L. McIntosh
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Lynn
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Estate Planning Toolkit for Seniors Meredith knew from firsthand experience and from hearing from others that one of the hardest parts of dealing with the death of a loved one is funeral and estate planning. In response, she created a simple, user-friendly toolkit to collect all pertinent information that a family member, close friend, or executor would need to plan a funeral or estate. She consulted with subject matter experts to gather their feedback and refine the toolkit, which is available both electronically and on-site at the local senior center.
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Utilizing everything I learned as a Girl Scout, coupled with my leadership, organizational, and communication skills, I learned how to be a better leader, a better student, and an even better person within my community.
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Elizabeth DiPietro
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Lynnfield
Cancer Prevention Elizabeth established a club for middle and high school girls at her school that focused on education about toxins that can cause cancer. They evaluated the household and beauty products they use often to discover what toxins they include, and found healthier and safer alternatives. They also utilized social media to spread information about toxins in everyday products. Elizabeth and the club hosted a Yogathon at their school to promote health and wellness, and to raise awareness of the club and their mission. The Yogathon was livestreamed on the national @ProtectOurBreasts Instagram account.
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Being a Girl Scout has taught me that even though I am one person, I am strong enough to make an impact on the world.
Lucy Madden
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Lynnfield
Open Space Preservation and Improvement Lucy was determined to raise awareness of the many open spaces in her town for the community to enjoy. She created a Facebook page called “Lynnfield Open Space and Recreation” to promote local conservation areas. She also organized trail clean-up days and facilitated nature walks with a younger Girl Scout troop and high school students. Taking it a step further, Lucy also became a member of the Lynnfield Open Space and Recreation Plan Committee, and created a community survey to evaluate public opinion and updated committee plans according to the data.
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Working on this project made me feel more connected to my community, and I am better prepared to work with town officials.
Ann Olsen
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Lynnfield
#Sisterhood Social After completing the MISSION: SISTERHOOD! Journey with her troop, Ann wanted to take the charge further. To build a sisterhood and promote female empowerment in her community, she created a Sisterhood Club at her school. Any girl can join the club to meet other girls and discuss any topic in a safe and positive environment. Ann also hosted special events including an Empowering Outfit Fashion Show. She also made two social media accounts to promote the group and share their photos and empowering messages. The club will continue to meet in the new school year.
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Girl Scouts is a community where girls can be themselves and express who they are. Since I had the privilege to experience this in Girl Scouts, I wanted to give other girls a place to build relationships and embrace their true selves.
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Grace Sokop
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Lynnfield
Lynnfield High School: Freshmen with a New Start
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Reflecting on her own experience as a high school freshman, Grace wanted to help incoming freshmen feel less anxious. She started by conducting a survey to assess the transition experience. Then, she created a presentation for eighth grade students with information, photos, videos, and stories about the high school, what to expect, and tips for a successful transition. She also provided them with informational handouts and gave them a tour of the high school. The school’s Compass Program will utilize Grace’s project each year and her materials are available on the school’s website for wider access.
I learned so many important life skills as a Girl Scout such as friendship, kindness, teamwork, and perseverance.
Alexa Vittiglio
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Lynnfield
Awareness Letters
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To encourage intercultural communication in younger generations, Alexa created a pen pal system between fourth grade students in Lynnfield, Massachusetts, and Fuzhou, China. Students were paired up and grew in their understanding of a culture outside of their own as they discussed their day-to-day lives and habits, as well as favorite sports, music, actors, and more. During this process, Alexa taught the students about letter writing, with a focus on etiquette and formatting for non-electronic communication. She also created a website about letter writing. The students remain engaged in the pen pal program.
I have been a Girl Scout for 12 years, and throughout the experience, I learned the true value of persistence. There is nothing that hard work cannot achieve, even if obstacles are thrown your way.
Molly McCarthy
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Manchester
Bully Victim Encouragement Group Molly created a bullying support group called the Anti-Bullying League. Participants discussed signs, effects, experiences, and ways to prevent bullying. Molly also made informational posters and hung them around the school. The group also worked on projects for spreading kindness. They have plans to coordinate with other groups at the school to spread the message of the Anti-Bullying League. The group continues to meet and is hosted by the guidance department at the school.
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As a result of the Gold Award, I now feel like I have the ability to take command of a room. I found a new confidence and trust in my abilities.
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Jada Leung
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Mendon
Mendon Community Garden Jada has always been interested in the environment. To make her town more environmentally sustainable, she created a community garden that features a compost system, water catchments, and solar panels. The garden also offers organic fruits and vegetables to town residents who cannot afford or grow fresh produce. Jada worked with the Sustainable Committee of Mendon and citizens of the town to ensure the garden’s future maintenance.
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I gained confidence and am not afraid to share my opinion in a group or when collaborating with others.
Emily Haley
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Milford
Banded Together Emily, a member of the Milford High School band, noticed that her peers were quitting band because they believed they weren’t skilled enough to continue playing. In response, she started Banded Together, a group for middle school students to explore their interests in music and take lessons with high school students. Emily also created a website and recordings of musical scales for students to use in their music practice. The project concluded with a joint performance of “Friend Like Me” from Aladdin.
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When you feel like giving up, just remember how and why you got here in the first place.
Brigit Thomas
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Milford
Garden for St. Mary’s Brigit noticed a lack of fresh food at the free monthly community meals offered at Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish. In response, she gathered a team of volunteers and constructed a large box garden at the parish, enabling the parish to grow fresh vegetables and herbs for use in its meals. Brigit also created an informational brochure about the benefits of home-grown food.
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No matter what background you come from, everyone deserves the same opportunities.
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Madison Schofield
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Millis
Confidence Building Buddy Group Madison wanted to provide students experiencing anxiety, confidence, and social challenges with a support system. She created a mentorship program in which high school students are paired with elementary school students. Together they participate in strategy, communication, and creative games and activities to help boost confidence and social skills. She also created a website and binder of resources for community members to start their own mentoring programs. The Peer Leader Club at the high school will continue the program.
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With Girl Scouts I’ve had the opportunity to discover the world through fun trips and adventures and I also discovered myself.
Molly Marie Frauenholz
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Nahant
Recycling Project at Girls Inc. Molly is passionate about recycling, and harnessed this interest to establish a recycling program at the local Girls Inc. facility. She taught a group of 200 girls ages 5-15 the basics of recycling with interactive activities, and established a recycling team of 15 girls. They created charts to track their recycling progress, and distributed recycling bins with signs depicting the correct materials for each receptacle. Additionally, Molly and the girls hosted a day dedicated to cleaning up litter at the High Rock Tower Park to restore this important community landmark.
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By the time I reached my goal, I felt empowered, in control, and confident in my abilities while making a real difference in my community.
Anna Welch
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New Ashford
The Golden Generation Meets the “I” Generation Knowing that a lack of familiarity with technology can cause seniors to feel isolated, Anna wanted to provide educational opportunities to teach computer skills to residents of a local assisted living facility. In coordination with the facility’s activities director and using several donated laptops and a printer, Anna created a computer lab at the facility. She also developed and facilitated a series of classes that taught seniors how to turn on their devices, browse the internet, make online purchases, and—above all—maintain contact with family and friends.
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Girl Scouts means the opportunity to be a leader and expand your comfort zone.
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Annemarie Noe
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Newburyport
Cool to JUUL? Long before vaping was named an epidemic, Annemarie felt the problem was out of control in her school community. To educate her peers on the negative effects of e-cigarettes, she worked with her health teacher to establish a multimedia curriculum on vaping, which is now a permanent part of the school’s health program. The lessons include scientific data on the health effects, the substances in vaping liquid, and the impact of addiction. Annemarie presented her lessons to both students and parents, and developed a media campaign with the mayor to raise awareness with even more community members.
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Girl Scouts has transformed me into the person I am today; I have learned valuable lessons about empowering women.
Dinithi Nethmini Wijerathna
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Northborough
Improving Doctor/Patient Communication While visiting her grandmother in Sri Lanka, Dinithi learned about the country’s universal health care system and noticed that patient-todoctor communication was limited due to high volume and need. To help streamline communication between patients and doctors, she worked with numerous Sri Lankan doctors to produce a health intake questionnaire in the country’s two major languages. She also created health information brochures on diabetes, high-blood pressure, and heart disease in these languages. The questionnaires and brochures are now being used at three Sri Lankan clinics, and Dinithi plans to expand their use this summer.
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Stand up for what you think is right, and don’t be afraid about what other people will think about you.
Abigail Bennett
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Phillipston
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A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words Abigail recognized a lack of media accessibility in her town’s church—a common meeting area for various community groups. She collected input from church and community members, created an action plan, and collected technology equipment to make the church more convenient for presentations, meetings, and overall use. Finally, Abigail hosted a public movie night at the church to showcase the upgrades.
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I have learned how to plan and organize events, how to communicate my ideas, and how to work with people of various age groups. I loved being able to help my community and to see how big of a difference just one girl can make.
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Alyssa Kent
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Rowley
Promoting Healthy Lifestyles for Teenagers Alyssa wanted to put a spotlight on health among the students at her school. To this end, she facilitated games, quizzes, and other activities in order to build awareness about healthy living. She also gave two presentations to the student body, one about healthy eating and sports nutrition, and another about eating disorders. Alyssa also created a walking course around the school for students to utilize during free time, hosted an exercise class, built a website of healthy meal and snack recipes, and put together a video about the importance of stretching before exercising.
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Earning the Girl Scout Gold Award changed my life by making me a more confident and assured young woman. It taught me how to stand up for what I believe in.
Emily Wen
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Sharon
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Developing Cultural Understanding within the Community As the daughter of immigrant parents, Emily has experienced stereotyping from peers. She dedicated her Gold Award project to promoting a safer, more understanding academic environment at her school. She asked members of various cultural, gender identity, and religious groups to write letters about their experiences and backgrounds, which she compiled into a book and accompanying website. She also produced a public service announcement featuring diverse and representative community members. She instituted an annual Diversity Day at the high school that features cultural awareness workshops and discussions.
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After a period of self-growth and reflection, particularly while working on my Gold Award project, Girl Scouts has helped me develop as an independent and confident leader in my community.
Meredith Borden
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Sherborn
Girls in Sports Meredith wanted to increase girls’ exposure to sports that traditionally have low female participation or are only offered to boys at a young age. To address this gender inequality, she conducted surveys to assess girls’ interests and experiences in sports, and to learn which sports they wish they could try. Using this data, Meredith hosted clinics for girls to learn and play these sports, including golf, ice hockey, and volleyball. The Community Service Club at Meredith’s high school will continue to host the clinic.
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Girl Scouts gives girls a chance to grow and become who they want to be without worrying about what other people think. My goal was to help girls feel confident when they choose to do something out of the social norm.
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Elizabeth Goldstein
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Sherborn
Mathemagicians Elizabeth noticed that there were tutors available at the local public schools for middle and high school students, but not for elementary school students. In response, she created a free tutoring program for students in grades 1–5. The program included open tutoring hours twice a week, and offered assistance with homework and helpful studying tips. Elizabeth recruited tutors from her school, and advertised the program throughout her community. This program will continue to run every school year.
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I have learned a lot about myself through this project. I have gained confidence in my ability to tutor and make a difference.
Aaditi Narayanan
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Sherborn
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Project M.E.E. (Mental Engagement for the Elderly) Aaditi was inspired by her family members’ experiences with Alzheimer’s and dementia to assist a wider community of seniors affected by these conditions. After conducting research, she created a program that facilitates engaging and brain-stimulating activities including bingo, crossword puzzles, art, and cooking activities. She implemented her program at Whitney Place in Natick, and upon success brought it to Sunrise of Wayland as well. Aaditi assembled a team of volunteers to assist seniors with the activities, and they will continue to facilitate the program.
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My project has taught me the benefit of giving back to the community, and because of this experience I have decided that I do not just want to be a corporate lawyer, but a lawyer giving back to the community.
Angelina Zhang
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Sherborn
Girls in STEM Angelina wanted to address the lack of young women in STEM-related student clubs and competitions. First, Angelina tutored a middle school girl who was interested in participating in math competitions. Then, she created Girls in STEM, a club that provides opportunities for girls to explore STEM fields in an encouraging environment. Members of the club can join in on a number of projects, including problem solving in sports and categorizing rocks and minerals. Angelina also created a blog called “The Art of Problem Solving,” which provides resources for making community impact through math.
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This project has given me confidence to know that once I put my mind to something, I can do it. With enough perseverance and determination, I can complete daunting tasks. This will allow me to pursue even more leadership opportunities.
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Amber Ali
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Shrewsbury
Using NARCAN® to Save Lives Amber became interested in the opioid epidemic and how it affects her community after seeing the U.S. Surgeon General advocate for wider use of NARCAN®, the drug that reverses opioid overdoses. She decided to educate others on the opioid epidemic and how to use NARCAN® to reverse an overdose. With the help of Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services and AIDS Project Worcester, she created a presentation for the Shrewsbury and Westborough public libraries. She also created a website on the topic to spread the word more broadly.
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I am not afraid to speak up for what I believe in.
Kathryn Sharpe
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Springfield
School Garden
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Kathryn learned that children are more likely to eat and enjoy vegetables when they’ve grown them themselves. In coordination with a local charter school’s administration, Kathryn built a raised garden bed at the school so that students in grades two through five could learn how to grow and cook with fresh vegetables. The students also learned about how plants grow, the amount of time and work that goes into gardening, and the effects of weather and bugs on plants. Students from multiple grades participated in planting the garden and will continue to maintain the garden and teach other students about growing plants.
I am confident enough to empower others to do what’s best for themselves and others.
Tiana DeCrescenzo
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Stoneham
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STEM-ing into the Future
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Tiana wanted to increase exposure to STEM for young girls to help make a career in a STEM field less daunting. She hosted weekly STEM workshops at the Reading Public Library on topics such as mechanical engineering, civil engineering, mathematics, and more. Each week, 15 new students engaged in hands-on activities pertaining to the workshops. Activities included constructing a working robot, building structures and figures, and using fidget spinners to learn probability, fractions, decimals, and percentages. Tiana’s curriculum and activities are now part of the library’s traveling workshop boxes.
Girl Scouting gives me the opportunity to be a part of something bigger, like a sisterhood. It has helped me to make friends that have lasted a lifetime and make memories that I will never forget.
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Marina N. Kerkorian
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Stoneham
Healthy Eating for Seniors Marina noticed that her grandmother, who lives alone and has difficulty walking, struggled to prepare healthy meals. To assist local seniors in her community, Marina assembled information about healthy eating on a budget, the benefits of eating well, and nutrition for seniors. She then hosted meals at the Stoneham Senior Center, with donations and support from local food providers. She arranged for a nutritionist to talk with the seniors about the importance of good nutrition. Marina created a cookbook of the meals she provided for the seniors, and volunteers will continue to host these meals.
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Earning the Girl Scout Gold Award changed my life because I gained great skill in leadership, speaking, responsibility, organization, and more. It also helped me learn how important it is to make a difference in the world.
Mary Landers
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Stoneham
Bee Friendly Mary wanted to raise awareness in her community about the dwindling population of bees, and to get the community involved in conservation efforts. She started by hosting workshops at a local zoo, a public library, and Girl Scout troop meetings, where children learned about the importance of bees and what we can do to help them. They decorated flower pots and planted clover seeds, and Mary created a larger pollinator garden at the library. The zoo and library will continue to offer the workshops, and a local Girl Scout troop will maintain the library garden.
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Girl Scouting has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I met some of my best friends throughout the years and gained new experiences. Girl Scouts shaped me into the person I am and I will be forever grateful.
Samantha Warren
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Sutton
Uniting Cultures & Embracing Diversity with Art Inspired by her Girl Scout Destinations trips and her love for all cultures, Samantha began volunteering at The Friendly House in Worcester, where she worked with children up to age six. She led art, singing, playing, and reading projects with these children. Samantha also wanted to bring people together through art and promote creativity among youth; to this end she created a bilingual art book for a local homeless shelter that features the children’s art.
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I am an advocate for marginalized groups in my community and beyond.
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Jamie Lee Gaber
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Swampscott
It’s for the Children! In an effort to get children interacting more with each other than with electronic devices, Jamie hosted workshops at the local library for children that included games and activities. The workshops were designed to teach social skills such as communication, sharing, empathy, talking through challenges, and helping others. Caregivers were invited so children could have experiences interacting with adults as well, and to teach caregivers tips for helping their children engage in a healthy way with others. The library will continue to host the workshops.
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The Girl Scout Gold Award has changed my life for the better. I learned more leadership skills and have more confidence in myself and my abilities.
Victoria Pinarreta
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Taunton
The Budgeting Buddies Victoria developed and implemented a financial literacy curriculum covering goal setting, saving, budgeting, economics, and choosing a banking partner. Students in grades 6–8 were invited to attend the five lessons. They were given a workbook containing a preand post-lesson comprehension assessment, an introduction to the topic, and an accompanying activity. To provide a sustainable solution to the lack of financial literacy in Massachusetts’ public school system, Victoria created a website for educators and officials with the Budgeting Buddies financial literacy curriculum, including lesson plans, activities, and implementation instructions.
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Being a Girl Scout means that I get to help and educate people, learn new things about the world, and have fun while I do it.
Katherine Johnston
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Topsfield
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Leap into Better Mental Health Katherine designed and taught a curriculum for competitive teenage dancers about preventing and relieving stress. The curriculum focuses on what stress is, how to identify it, and techniques for stress relief, and includes group discussions, activities, and an online webquest. Katherine facilitated the sessions at local dance studios, and taught representatives the curriculum so they could facilitate it as well. She also created a website about the curriculum for additional studios and dancers to use.
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Through all the years, I have learned how to work as a team with my troop and go into the community to help others. Girl Scouting has taught me how to make the world a better place.
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Julia Kay
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Tyngsborough
Tyngsborough’s Plastic Bag Reduction
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To decrease plastic pollution in her community, Julia met with state representatives and subject matter experts to gather data, and wrote a warrant article to ban single-use plastic bags within the town’s retail sector. Julia also created a flyer that she distributed to community members at the Town Meeting where she collected signatures for a petition. The warrant article was put on the ballot for the May Town Meeting, and in preparation, Julia spoke to the board of selectmen to receive their support. Finally, Julia presented her warrant article to Town Meeting Members and over 400 citizens, and received a unanimous approval.
I’m an activist and I can help the future of this planet for my friends, my children, and their children.
Alicia Brennan
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Wakefield
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Community Garden In the face of climate change and the depletion of natural resources, Alicia wanted to bring to light the importance of taking care of the earth. She started by developing a multimedia lesson plan about environmental awareness, conservation, and plant growth. She built a community garden at the Doyle Early Childhood Center, and with the students planted fruits, vegetables, and flowers in the garden and around the school. The lessons are now a permanent part of the school’s science curriculum, and she provided her lesson plan to other educators online.
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I hope to encourage environmental education from a young age to better inform modern youth about the world they are growing up in and how to help.
Amelia Ao
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Wayland
Traditions Art Workshop
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Amelia knew that the local senior center did not have a consistent art program, and that creating art provides many therapeutic, social, and health benefits. In response, she created and facilitated a series of weekly art workshops for seniors that focused specifically on creative expression through painting. Through participant surveys, she learned that many were able to embrace fond memories, and felt happier and more relaxed. Members of the Wayland High School National Arts Honor Society will continue to conduct the workshops.
I learned the importance of patience, perseverance, and creativity. I learned how to problem solve effectively and how to communicate well with others. Most importantly, I began to understand what it really means to be a leader.
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Jessica Cheng
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Wellesley
Volunteering in Wellesley Jessica is passionate about volunteerism. To build a stronger network of volunteers at her school, she created a website that allows students and local organizations to connect for volunteer opportunities. The website also offers students resources and information for leading their own projects to address community issues they are passionate about. In addition to making a website, Jessica educated her peers about Wellesley government and local nonprofit organizations through a variety of presentations. The Computer Science Club at Wellesley High School will continue updating the website.
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Since joining Girl Scouts I have, without a doubt, become a better leader and a more confident person. Girl Scouts has pushed me to do things I would never have tried.
Enya Gamble
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Wellesley
Cooking and Nutrition at Family Promise Metrowest As the rate of homelessness in Massachusetts continues to rise, Enya was determined to assist the homeless in her community. She decided to partner with Family Promise Metrowest, a local homeless shelter. She created a digital cookbook of healthy recipes for volunteers to use when making meals for families experiencing homelessness. The cookbook includes recipes submitted by volunteers who are part of the local service network. Families can also use the cookbook upon leaving Family Promise Metrowest and entering their new homes.
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I learned that sometimes the best ideas are not the ones you originally started out with, but the ones that are cultivated during the process through teamwork.
Julie Ma
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Wellesley
My Town, My Home
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Julie noticed that many young people in her community did not know much about their own town history. She conducted a survey of elementary school students in her town, and found that while their knowledge of local history was lacking, more than half were interested in learning more. In response, Julie interviewed residents including town officials, the police chief, and longtime community members. She compiled her research and gave a presentation to students about local historical figures, institutions, and landmarks. She also created a website for the public with this information.
Girl Scouting is contributing to one’s community, and growing and developing as a person. A girl contributing to her community will find that she has become more confident.
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Grace Ryan
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Wellesley
Enhancing Elementary School Literacy through Greek Mythology To improve childhood literacy, Grace developed, implemented, and led an eight-week program on Greek mythology for elementary school students. Lessons and activities focused on the influence of Greek mythology on history, morality, and modern Western language and literature. She chose several Greek myths with strong female role models including Atalanta, Persephone, Athena, and Artemis. The high school Classics Club will continue to host the program at the local library.
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I have a passion for Greek mythology and the classical world. Through my project, I learned a lot about myself as a classics student, teacher, and leader.
Clementine Starck
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Wellesley
Time-In Lab at Wellesley High School Clementine was aware that students at Wellesley High School put a lot of pressure on themselves to perform at a high academic level, and as a result have a hard time balancing their mental health and academic success. She solicited feedback from her peers during a mental health forum, and after analyzing the data, she created a pilot program for an in-school sleep lab called the Time-In Lab. This wellness space is safe, quiet, and technologyfree, and allows students to rest or meditate during the school day.
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Girl Scouting means a lot to me, but most importantly it means a safe place to grow individually and as a troop with my friends!
Janani Ram
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Westborough
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Nature vs. GMOs
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Janani has always been interested in science and engineering. When she started learning more about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and their negative impact, she decided to conduct more research. She learned that GMOs are present in a wide variety of food and household products, and was motivated to spread awareness. She created a website, worked with local television stations, and hosted workshops at the local library to discuss GMOs with subject matter experts. The local high school science club will continue to update the website and host more presentations at the school and library.
I am a lot more confident and outspoken because of how I had to put myself out of my comfort zone.
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Marisol Angelina Evans-Garcia
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Westford
Health for Happiness Marisol wanted to provide students at a local alternative school with a space to practice cooking and developing healthy habits. After conducting a survey of students at the school regarding fast food consumption and access to cooking supplies and resources, Marisol decided that establishing a kitchen space in the school was the best way to expose these students to enriching cooking opportunities. She built a kitchen that includes a countertop oven, cookbooks, and a binder with a curriculum she developed about healthy eating. The school will continue to utilize her curriculum and the kitchen space.
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Being a Girl Scout has helped me realize that I would like to major in biology, so that I can improve my community by bettering public health.
Niamh McEwan
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Westford
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Teen SOS (Save Our Skin)
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When Niamh learned that skin cancer is the second leading cancer among teens and young adults, despite it also being the most preventable, she decided to raise awareness of prevention measures. Niamh created informational leaflets and posters for her high school and the local community, as well as a lesson covering the dangers of overexposure to UV rays, the ABCDE rule for melanoma, and how to protect the skin. Niamh was also able to secure funding for her school to purchase three sunscreen stations at the high school.
From working on this project, I learned to be resilient. At the beginning, I felt like the project could never move forward but with some determination and encouragement, I succeeded.
Isabel Redman
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Westford
No One Walks Alone After polling her peers about issues within their school community, Isabel found that the most prevalent problems were a lack of mental health awareness and access to mental health resources. In response, she established a club dedicated to addressing these issues. They provided teachers with a plan for when a student seeks help, and distributed “mental health ally” stickers to teachers for their classrooms. During midterms, they assembled and distributed stress-relief bags and hosted a movie night. Isabel also hosted an inaugural mental health awareness night for the community that featured a Q&A session with mental health professionals.
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My project provided me with the basic tools I need to embark on any endeavor. I am empowered to take on more leadership roles in the future that will further grow my abilities.
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Danielle Feinstein
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Weston
Understanding Your Opposite Danielle saw that much of the anger in her community and the world stemmed from a lack of understanding of the roots of beliefs. To address this in her own community, she facilitated activities with middle school students in which they summarized the core values behind differing beliefs and viewpoints related to politics, religion, and crime. Danielle also hosted a debate in which students had to defend opinions they didn’t agree with. The middle school teachers will continue to utilize these activities in their curriculum.
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My Girl Scout experience has taught me how to create positive change. It also taught me how an all-female environment, and the experience of strong female leadership and friendship, can be uniquely empowering.
Madeline Morgan
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Westwood
Leading with STEM Madeline hosted a series of STEM workshops for girls that focused on engineering, computer science, research, and chemistry. Each day included hands-on activities: making animations with the programming language Scratch, learning the science of potato chips, conducting forensic science experiments, detecting iodine in salts, testing pH levels with cabbage juice, and more. Madeline created the lesson plans and worksheets, and found videos to assist in the lessons. She also founded a STEM Buddies Club at her high school that allows high school students to lead these STEM activities with middle school students.
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My experience as a Girl Scout has fostered many skills such as creativity, leadership, and responsibility that were all utilized in my Gold Award project. Through being a Girl Scout I have become more resilient.
Lily Edge
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Williamstown
Sweet Brook Residents Library Lily is passionate about reading and access to books. She wanted to provide a wider array of reading materials to patients at a local nursing home and their family members. In cooperation with administrative staff, Lily created a library at the nursing home and coordinated monthly reading groups there. The library is growing and now a permanent part of the nursing home, and residents are continuing to hold the reading groups.
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I am now able to speak up for what I believe in and help others who can’t help themselves.
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Elizabeth Murphy
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Wilmington
Taste, Greet, Learn: The Importance of Global Awareness When Elizabeth discovered that there were no cultural groups or programs for seniors in her community, she decided to create her own. Elizabeth coordinated with the senior center in Wilmington to host meetings twice a week, each week focusing on a different culture. Seniors in attendance discussed traditions, languages, the political climate, stereotypes, and more for each culture. Elizabeth organized for guest speakers to attend and prepared food from these cultures for the meetings. The Wilmington High School World Cultures Club will continue to host meetings throughout the year.
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I now know what it means to lead and be part of a team, but to do so in a way that helps to inspire growth in all other team members.
Jeana diNatale
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Winchester
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W.I.S.E. (Water Instruction Safety Education) Jeana utilized her experience as a swim instructor and American Red Cross lifeguard to educate children about water safety and to decrease the risk of tragedy. She developed Camp W.I.S.E. (Water Instruction Safety Education) for students to attend during February school vacation week. Each day of camp included classroom and pool instruction related to water safety. An aquatics specialist and the Kingston Fire Department Rescue Team attended to help instruct as well. The University of Rhode Island hosted the camp, and they will continue the program in the future.
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Through working on Journeys and other projects, especially the Gold Award, I believe that I am more prepared than I ever have been to take on new challenges and continue to make a difference.
Elizabeth Rozmanith
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Winchester
Student Initiative for Social Justice (SoJust)
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To build awareness about global social justice issues among the student body at Winchester High School, Elizabeth created a social justice club to provide a space for students to talk about current events and social issues and to learn skills to support change. The group engaged in weekly discussions, took part in a book club, and partnered with social justice organizations, pairing real-life experiences and activism with their discussions on equity. Elizabeth also hosted a two-part diversity communication workshop focused on building skills related to diversity and inclusion and exploring identity. The club is now permanent at the school.
My leadership skills have grown tremendously throughout this project. I have become a much more effective communicator, and I am completely comfortable talking to a large group of people.
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GOLD AWARD COMMITTEES Thank you for your significant commitment of time and talent, and your dedication to the Girl Scout Mission. You are making a difference in the lives of girls who, in turn, are making the world a better place.
Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts Alice (Bo) Bowen Melinda Burrows Marie (Skip) Carver Patricia Chadwick De Corrigan Amy Della Guistina Nancy Flynn-Barvick Marianne Geoffroy Nini Gomez Irene Greenberg Elena Janice Diane Kimball Sue Kohlman Cheryl Lebedevitch Cathy LeBlanc Nancy Marshall Courtney Medlin
Maggie Oltarzewski Alecia Orsini Lebeda Gloria Rios-Monarrez Jessica Robinson Paula Ruozzi Lynn Sanderson Linda Schuller Gail Spring Marissa Szabo Anne Valade Becky Vitkauskas Patti Wilder
Committee Co-chairs Liz Deck Cathy LeBlanc
Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts Jean Baxter Polly Billiel Paula Brault Jenn Cherry Glynis DeVerry Sue Labelle Ellen Moorhouse Stacy O’Bey
Jane Schroeder Tawnya Tiskus Ann Marie Waller Arlene Wolfe
Gold Award Advisor Tammy Breen
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History of the Highest Award in Girl Scouting Golden Eagle of Merit 1916 - 1919
Golden Eaglet 1919 - 1938
First Class 1938 - 1940
Curved Bar 1940 - 1963
First Class 1963 - 1980
Gold Award 1980 - present
Special Thanks GSEMA thanks United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley for support of the Gold Award program. A special thank you to the Women’s Legislative Caucus and its executive director, Nicole Stephens, for sponsoring Girl Scouts at the Massachusetts State House.
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The Girl Scout Gold Award The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest award in Girl Scouting and recognizes girls who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through remarkable Take Action projects that have sustainable impact in their communities and beyond. A girl must spend a minimum of 80 hours working on her project, and must complete all seven steps. 1 Choose an issue 2 Investigate 3 Get help 4 Create a plan
5 Present your plan 6 Take action 7 Educate and inspire
Gold Award Facts & Figures ⚬ ⚬ ⚬ ⚬ ⚬
Gold Award Girl Scouts spend between one and two years on their projects. The average age of Gold Award Girl Scouts is 17. In 100 years, more than one million girls nationally have earned the Gold Award or its equivalent. Gold Award Girl Scouts who join the armed services enter at one rank higher than other recruits. University research indicates that adding the Gold Award to a college application is a critical element in the admissions decision process.
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.
Gold Award Prerequisites A girl must: ⚬ Be in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade ⚬ Be a registered Girl Scout Senior or Ambassador ⚬ Have completed two Senior or Ambassador Journeys or have earned the Girl Scout Silver Award and completed one Journey
The Girl Scout Alum Network All Girl Scout alums are invited to follow the Girl Scout Network on LinkedIn and join forces with like-minded women to effect positive change, gain career development opportunities, and be prepared for a lifetime of leadership and career success. Join your local alum network on your council’s website for information on fun events, networking opportunities, and more!
Celebrating those who earned the highest achievement in Girl Scouting.
GOLD AWARD G I R L SCOU T S 2019
Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts 420 Boylston Street, Suite 505 • Boston, MA 02116 Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts 301 Kelly Way • Holyoke, MA 01040