The Gold Award is the highest award a girl can earn in Girl Scouting. It’s a national standard that acknowledges a girl’s accomplishments, leadership, commitment, creativity, and personal effort to make the world a better place. Each Gold Award is a significant achievement in a girl’s life and an extension and compilation of all she has learned through her Girl Scout experience.

For our fourth Gold Award project feature, Ashlynn Bean’s project “Remedying Communication – Informative Board” focuses on bridging the gap between her community and the local school. Ashlynn identified an issue within her community noting the lack of awareness surrounding activities and sports within the local high school campus. To solve this, she spearheaded the construction of an informative board that would serve as a centralized hub for posting upcoming events and activities. With her commitment to enhancing communication channels, Ashlynn led a team of dedicated high school students to bring her vision to life through the creation of a portable wooden bulletin board. This board was strategically placed it in a prominent location accessible to both students and community members. This initiative aimed not only to increase awareness but also to create a sense of belonging and involvement among individuals within the community. By providing a platform for the dissemination of information, Ashlynn’s project aimed to ignite an increase of participation, encouraging students and community members alike to engage more actively in school-related activities. Her project resulted in a more cohesive community where individuals were empowered to stay informed and engaged in the vibrant tapestry of events and opportunities. Through her leadership and determination, she not only addressed a significant communication gap but also laid the foundation for a more connected and vibrant community.

Ashlynn reflects on her project saying, “The vision is alway different from the finished product, but that’s not always a bad thing.” Ashlynn is attending West Virginia University majoring in Forensic Investigations on her way to being a Forensic Technician.

Our fifth highlighted Gold Award features Autumn Salinas with her project “Hollister Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Tile Graphing System.” Autumn’s inspiration stemmed from a deeply personal connection to the cause. Prompted by her Uncle George Nava, the past Commander of VFW Post 9242, and her Grandfather Louie Nava Sr., whose memorial tile graced the grounds of Hollister, CA, Autumn felt a profound sense of duty to create something meaningful for her community. With the support of the new VFW Commander, Maria Spandri, Autumn approached the City Council with her vision. Despite the project being on city-owned property, Autumn’s proposal received unanimous approval, with the Council not only granting permission but also generously funding her project. The heart of Autumn’s project lay in the creation of a graphing system, seamlessly connecting a kiosk to the memorial tiles laid on the ground to allow family and friends of the named veterans to easily find their loved ones’ tiles. Collaborating with Matt and Shannon Imbronone of Savage Designs, Autumn designed small plates inscribed with the names of San Benito County veterans. These plates, along with carefully arranged letters and numbers, formed a cohesive system both on the kiosk and the ground. From power washing the ground to meticulously placing letters and numbers with her father’s assistance, every step was a labor of love. Her mother and sister played crucial roles, from painting tile names to organizing the plates, ensuring every detail was perfect. As the project neared completion, Autumn’s efforts could be seen on Memorial Day when she witnessed people using the kiosk, honoring the veterans whose names adorned the tiles. It was a moment of profound fulfillment, knowing that her project would serve as a lasting tribute to those who sacrificed for their country.

“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.”
— Harry Truman

Autumn explains, “I may not know these people that have tiles here or be able to repay them but they served their country so I could have freedom to do this. I never got to know my grandfather Louie Nava Sr. because he passed away in 1979, but I know that his family came first. So this is my tribute to him and other men and women of my hometown Hollister, Ca.”Autumn explains,

For our sixth Gold Award project feature, Brooke Ball’s project “F.L.A.M.E. (Financial Literacy And Money Education)” focuses on educating young students on basic financial principles. Her journey began with a simple yet powerful realization: many young students lack exposure to basic financial principles and money matters. She observed a gap in education and awareness regarding money management, due to limited resources in school districts and households. Determined to make a difference, Brooke started her mission to equip her peers with the tools they need to navigate the complex world of finance wisely. Brooke identified the root causes of financial illiteracy and developed a creative solution. Her F.L.A.M.E. project comprises of financial literacy activity kits designed to engage students in an interactive learning experience. These kits cover essential topics such as needs and wants, budgeting, compound interest, investment risk, and the concepts of saving, giving, and spending. By incorporating games and activities into the learning process, she ensures that financial literacy becomes not only accessible but also enjoyable for students. Through play, students absorb complex concepts and develop practical skills that will serve them well throughout their lives. Her project not only addresses the immediate need for financial education but also lays the foundation for a future where financial literacy is a cornerstone of every student’s education. As we look to the future, Brooke’s project serves as a beacon of hope, inspiring others to take action and empower the next generation with the knowledge they need to thrive in an increasingly complex world.

Brooke states, “The Gold Award has allowed me to improve my leadership, decision-making, and critical thinking skills. During this project the biggest thing I learned about myself is that I have perseverance and am adaptable.” Brooke plans to major in Finance and Economics on her way to becoming a Certified Financial Planner.

For more information about the Gold Award and how Girl Scouts are creating positive change within their communities, visit here.