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 first Gold Award project feature, Abigail Gaston’s project “Heat Illness Warning Signs” focuses on the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and spreading awareness of the signs. Abigail found inspiration in a heartbreaking story shared by Jenni Parks, a mother grieving the loss of her son Jake who succumbed to a heat stroke while hiking. No one Jake had encountered nor Jake recognized the symptoms in order to prevent this tragedy. Motivated by a desire to prevent similar incidents and seeing that there was a general lack of awareness of heat-related illnesses, Abigail took proactive steps to address this issue head-on. She reached out to Jenni, the President of Montecito Trails Foundation (MTF) – to see what could be done. Abigail worked with Jenni as well as Ashlee Mayfield – and invested countless hours into research, consultation with local Search and Rescue teams, and local authorities to create heat illness warning signs strategically placed at local trailheads. These signs, accompanied by QR codes linking to a comprehensive website developed by Abigail, aimed to educate hikers about the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses. Abigail’s dedication prevailed as she secured donations and rallied volunteers for educational trail pop-ups. At these events, hikers were provided with essential fluids, electrolytes, and snacks while receiving invaluable education on heat illness prevention. In talking to hikers, stories emerged of individuals who, armed with knowledge from Abigail’s campaign, were able to recognize and mitigate heat-related illnesses, ultimately saving lives. Abigail emphasizes that her project is more than just signage—it’s about fostering awareness, imparting education, and, above all, safeguarding lives within her community. As Abigail’s project continues to make an impact, it stands as a testament to the power of girl-led initiatives in effecting positive change.

Abigail states, “I learned how much an impact one person can make on an entire community. This project became part of my hearts calling & I learned that good things can sometimes come out of terrible tragedy’s. Jake’s family forever changed my life and together with MTF we have educated and saved other trail users in our community by putting up signs that previously never existed and conducting educational trail pop-ups.”

For our second Gold Award recipient feature, we are excited to share Alyssa Rice, with her project “A Guide to Engineering Badges” aims to ignite a passion for engineering among young girls. Alyssa’s goal was to make the world of engineering accessible and exciting for Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Girl Scout troop leaders and their members. Driven by her belief in the power of education and representation, Alyssa created a comprehensive website complete with videos and resources for girls seeking to earn engineering badges. The platform serves as a beacon of inspiration for Girl Scout troop leaders looking to delve into the nine different Mechanical Engineering badges offered by Girl Scouts. From introductory concepts to hands-on projects, Alyssa’s website equips leaders with the necessary tools to guide their troops through the fascinating world of engineering. Alyssa didn’t stop there. She took her enthusiasm for engineering directly into her community by leading engaging activities with local Girl Scout troops and elementary school girls. Through these hands-on experiences, Alyssa demonstrated that engineering isn’t just reserved for textbooks and laboratories—it’s an adventure waiting to be explored by anyone, regardless of age or background. Alyssa’s ultimate vision extends far beyond her immediate community. By inspiring girls at a young age, she hopes to sow the seeds for a future generation of female engineers. Through her project, Alyssa aims to dismantle stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding engineering, paving the way for more girls to pursue higher education and careers within this dynamic field. Alyssa’s legacy will continue to shape a brighter, more inclusive future for the field of engineering—one badge at a time.

Alyssa explains, “Anyone can make an impact on their community. Working with elementary school troops and girls to share my project with my community showed me that I made a positive impact on so many girls’ lives which I didn’t realize was possible before completing my Gold Award. Watching the girls learn and struggle through the challenges I presented them with while having fun was the highlight of completing my project.”

Our third highlighted Gold Award, features Amrita Kumar with her project ” Helping Special Needs Students.” In a bustling high school environment, where the clamor of crowded hallways and fluorescent lights can overwhelm even the most resilient students, imagine navigating this landscape with heightened sensitivity. Amrita Kumar embarked on her Gold Award project with a mission to alleviate the challenges faced by special education students in such an environment. She recognized the profound impact of sensory overload on special needs students within her school. Drawing from her empathetic nature and a desire to foster inclusivity, she embarked on a journey to create a sanctuary amidst the chaos – a sensory room. Through meticulous planning and unwavering dedication, Amrita conceptualized and brought to life a dedicated space designed to provide solace from students effected by sensory overload. The sensory room Amrita created isn’t just a physical space; it’s a beacon of hope and inclusion. Equipped with carefully curated elements to soothe the senses, it stands as a testament to her commitment to fostering a safer and more nurturing environment for all students. But Amrita’s vision extended beyond the confines of her school walls. Recognizing the power of education and advocacy, she embarked on another pivotal aspect of her project – a website. This digital platform serves as an educational hub, enlightening visitors about the significance of sensory rooms and empowering them with the knowledge to create their own. She has not only transformed physical spaces but also hearts and minds. Her Gold Award project stands as a shining example of the profound impact that one individual can have in creating a more inclusive and compassionate world.

Amrita’s future is bright as she tells us, “I am currently attending UCLA as a molecular, cell, and developmental biology major with hopes to become a doctor.”

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