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.

Our thirteenth highlighted Gold Award features Lola Forbes-Black and her project ” Little Words, Big Impact.” She started her project to address and educate peers and community members on inclusive vocabulary while spreading basic information about the LGBTQ+ community. Recognizing that many people lack accessible resources or feel uncomfortable asking for information, Lola took it upon herself to create a comprehensive and educational slideshow. Extensively researched, Lola’s slideshow included vital statistics, resources, and tips sourced directly from queer youth. This ensured that the content was not only accurate but also reflective of real experiences within the LGBTQ+ community. To maximize the reach of her project, Lola presented her slideshow to 12 different community organizations, such as the Kiwanis, Soroptimists, and the Simi Valley Unified School District Department of Education. Additionally, her work was featured in the Diversity Collective’s community newsletter for several consecutive weeks. Lola’s slideshow is now freely available online on teacherspayteachers.com, ensuring ongoing accessibility for educators and community members alike. Her dedication to educating others about inclusive vocabulary and the LGBTQ+ community didn’t stop at presentations; she also collected data to gauge the impact of her project. This feedback loop allowed her to understand and measure the positive changes in how people talk about and engage with LGBTQ+ individuals. Through er project, Lola has made a significant contribution to fostering understanding and inclusivity within her community, creating a more welcoming environment for everyone.

Lola says, “I was surprised how many people had questions for me and actually wanted this specific education. Most people just did not know where to find it!”

For our fourteenth Gold Award project feature, Morgan Lipman’s project titled “Food Insecurity Project,” stands as a shining example of youth-led activism aimed at addressing one of the most pressing issues of our time: food insecurity. Through her project, Morgan set out to educate children about the complex web of factors that contribute to food insecurity and its far-reaching effects on communities around the world. Understanding that education is the first step toward meaningful change, Morgan focused on raising awareness among young people. She delved into the root causes of food insecurity, highlighting economic disparity, agricultural challenges, and socio-political factors that perpetuate the problem. By bringing these issues to light, Morgan aimed to foster a deeper understanding and empathy among her audience, empowering them to take action. But Morgan’s initiative didn’t stop at education. Recognizing the importance of practical solutions, she equipped children with the knowledge and tools to make a tangible difference in their own communities. She designed and implemented a step-by-step tutorial on how to run a successful canned food drive. This comprehensive guide was tailored to ensure that young people could effectively organize, promote, and execute food drives, maximizing their impact. To reach a wider audience, she shared her tutorial on popular sites like YouTube and her personal website, making the information readily available to children and community groups everywhere. Her innovative approach not only provided clear instructions but also inspired confidence in young organizers, boosting the success rates of their initiatives. Through her Gold Award project, Morgan Lipman has made a lasting impact by educating and empowering the next generation to combat food insecurity.

Morgan learned during her project that, “You are never alone. Your team is a vital support system and is there to guide you through any journey you seek.”

Our fifteenth highlighted Gold Award features Quinn Heller and her project “Save a Life: Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Anaphylaxis.” Every three minutes, someone is rushed to the emergency room due to a severe food allergy reaction. This alarming statistic highlights the critical importance of awareness and education about food allergies. Quinn’s project addresses this crucial issue and the widespread lack of knowledge about food allergies and the severe consequences they can have. Quinn aimed to fill this gap in knowledge through comprehensive educational initiatives. At the heart of her project was an interactive presentation designed to educate and engage her audience. Quinn shared this presentation at her local library’s Teen Wellness Event and with 5th and 6th-grade students at her former elementary school. Her goal was to teach young people how to recognize both mild and severe allergic reactions, including the life-threatening condition known as anaphylaxis. Participants in Quinn’s sessions learned invaluable skills, such as identifying the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction and knowing how to respond effectively. They were taught to notify an adult in an emergency situation and, crucially, how to administer epinephrine using devices like the EpiPen and Auvi-Q. To ensure the lessons were practical and memorable, students practiced using an EpiPen trainer, helping them build confidence in their ability to act in a real emergency. In addition to her presentations, Quinn created and distributed pamphlets containing the key information. These pamphlets served as a resource for students to take home, enabling them to share their newfound knowledge with family and friends. By spreading this information, Quinn aimed to create a ripple effect of awareness and preparedness within her community. Through her dedication to educating others about the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis, she has equipped many young people with the knowledge and skills to save lives. Her work not only raises awareness but also fosters a more supportive and informed community, where those with food allergies can feel safer and more understood.

Quinn tells us about her future plans and says, “After I graduate from college, I plan to have a career in the health field so I can continue to spread awareness and educate others.”

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