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.

Halle Kessler took on an ambitious and impactful Gold Award project to address the declining butterfly population in California and worldwide. Her “Sapwi Park Butterfly Garden” project not only brings a vibrant butterfly habitat to her local community but also serves as an educational resource to inspire others to protect our environment. Halle’s project is rooted in the importance of butterflies to our ecosystems. Her garden addresses key factors contributing to the butterfly population’s decline, such as habitat loss, pesticide use, and environmental degradation. By creating a butterfly habitat within Sapwi Park, Halle has created a space that encourages butterfly growth and sustainability, helping to restore these crucial pollinators to their native habitat. Through strategically placed signs and QR codes within the garden, Halle provides visitors with valuable information on how to create and maintain butterfly gardens. This includes details on the specific plants and planting methods essential for supporting butterflies throughout their life cycle. Her project has become a local hub for learning, inspiring others to take action in protecting our ecosystem. Halle Kessler’s Sapwi Park Butterfly Garden is a wonderful example of the positive change that one person can inspire. Her commitment to conservation demonstrates how we can all play a role in supporting a healthier, more sustainable environment for butterflies and beyond.

Halle tells us, “Determination and resilience will help you overcome obstacles and stay focused on your goals.”

Indiana Nott saw an opportunity to make a positive, lasting impact in her community by creating a space for connection and knowledge-sharing. Her Gold Award project, “Little Library and Community Service Board,” brings the gift of books and the latest local updates directly to her neighborhood. With a passion for education and community engagement, Indiana installed a “little library” stocked with books for all ages to enjoy, aiming to make literature more accessible for everyone in her area. “This will help people of all ages get access to books,” she shared, highlighting her vision to inspire a love for reading among her neighbors. In addition to the library, Indiana’s community service board serves as a hub for community news, announcements, and upcoming events. This board keeps residents informed and fosters a greater sense of connection, empowering people to take part in local happenings. Indiana’s project illustrates how simple acts of service can strengthen community bonds, foster learning, and encourage civic engagement. Her initiative is an inspiring example of how young leaders can make a real difference, creating spaces that promote inclusivity and lifelong learning.

Indiana tells us that her goals for the future are “to attend college and become a teacher.”

For her Girl Scout Gold Award Project, Izel Prieto took on an incredible challenge: to organize and host a comprehensive “San Benito County Migrant Resource Fair”. With a deep commitment to helping the migrant community access essential resources, Izel gathered a network of over twenty booths covering critical topics like health, education, food security, and safety. Her goal was simple yet powerful—to bring support to those who may not otherwise know where to find it. The fair became a one-stop shop for essential resources and services. Attendees could access free COVID-19 tests, and parents in need were provided with free car seats, first aid kits, and access to CPR training. Through these efforts, Izel helped families prioritize their health and safety while building their confidence in navigating community resources. Her project went further, providing vital information on food bank hours, local health services, and educational support, empowering families to stay informed and supported. To ensure a welcoming environment, Izel included raffle prizes and refreshments, making the day not only informational but enjoyable. With her dedication to creating real impact, Izel’s project has paved the way for stronger community connections and greater resource accessibility in San Benito County. Her work stands as a testament to the positive change Girl Scouts make in their communities, one project at a time.

Izel explains, “I can have everything in the world, but nothing will ever beat the smile you receive when you help those in need.”

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