Gold Award Ceremony

Andrea’s Gold Award project, Too Many Paws, Not Enough Homes, addressed the issue of overcrowded animal shelters and rising euthanasia rates. She identified limited education around responsible pet ownership as a key contributing factor, so she created a Pet Owner’s Guide that covered topics such as spaying and neutering, adoption, long-term care and available community resources.

She collaborated with students at her school to research and develop the guide, which was distributed through social media, community events and local animal shelters. Andrea also promoted adoption and responsible pet care through outreach efforts and led a student committee to support the project’s development. By combining education and community engagement, she helped raise awareness about how individuals can reduce shelter overcrowding. Her guide and online platforms will continue to be shared by local rescue organizations.

Elliana’s Gold Award project explored the environmental impact of invasive plant species on Florida’s native ecosystems. She worked to raise awareness about how invasive plants, such as Caesar weed, disrupt natural habitats and threaten local wildlife. At Al Lopez Park, she combined education with action by leading efforts to remove invasive species while teaching her community about their impact.

Elliana organized a volunteer cleanup event where participants learned how to identify and safely remove the plant, resulting in the collection of numerous large bags of invasive species. She also extended her reach through an educational Instagram account and presentations to multiple Girl Scout troops, teaching younger girls about environmental conservation. Her efforts combined hands-on action with education, and her online platform will continue to spread awareness about protecting local ecosystems.

Lauren’s Gold Award project, Sports in Parks, worked to increase access to sports equipment in local parks and expand opportunities for physical activity and community engagement. She partnered with the City of Tampa to collect donations and install three equipment boxes stocked with items such as basketballs, soccer balls, footballs and frisbees.

Her project encouraged park usage and social interaction by making it easier for children and teens to participate in recreational play. Lauren also created a social media platform to promote physical activity and implemented a QR code survey to gather feedback and monitor equipment use. The equipment boxes will continue to be maintained through community use and ongoing contributions, supporting long-term engagement in healthy activities.

Hope’s Gold Award project encouraged greater voter registration and civic engagement among young people. She focused on educating students about pre-registering to vote and understanding the political process, helping them recognize the importance of being informed and involved citizens. Through her work, she aimed to build confidence in young voters and promote early engagement in the democratic process.

She created a website featuring information about local elected officials and led educational sessions reaching hundreds of students. In addition, she formed a group of peers dedicated to promoting civic engagement and encouraging ongoing involvement in political discussions. By providing accessible resources and direct education, Hope helped students feel more confident in participating in the democratic process. Her website and peer network will continue to support future voter education.

Kareena’s Gold Award project, Fuel For The Future, worked to improve nutrition education and help children build healthy eating habits. Inspired by her own experiences, she created a platform to teach young people how to prepare nutritious meals and make informed food choices while developing a better understanding of balanced diets.

She developed and shared cooking videos, nutrition tips and educational content through social media, while also engaging her community through outreach efforts such as a neighborhood bake sale. Her project helped children build confidence in cooking and better understand how to care for their bodies. Kareena also partnered with her school’s cooking club, which will continue managing the platform and sharing content to ensure long-term impact.

Sierra’s Gold Award project, Pretty Smart, addressed the gender gap and lack of confidence among girls in STEM fields. She developed an interactive workshop series that connected STEM concepts to topics such as beauty, fashion and everyday interests, helping make STEM more relatable and engaging for girls.

She hosted workshops for Girl Scouts and community organizations, led a team of volunteers and presented at large-scale events including Girl Scout Fest and STEMapalooza, reaching hundreds of participants. Sierra also created a patch program, distributed workshop kits and translated materials into Spanish to expand accessibility. By combining hands-on learning with mentorship and outreach, she helped girls build confidence and interest in STEM. Her workshops and materials will continue to be used by community partners and organizations.

Charlotte’s Gold Award project, Coding is for Everyone!, worked to expand inclusive STEM opportunities for students with special needs. She provided individualized coding instruction using a visual programming platform, helping participants create their own animations and games while building confidence and technical skills.

She worked directly with ESE (Exceptional Student Education) students through structured training sessions, tracking their progress and supporting them in developing problem-solving, communication and social skills. Charlotte also collaborated with teachers and school staff to ensure continued support for participants. Her project will be sustained by sharing training methods and resources with educators and school clubs, allowing future students with special learning needs to continue exploring coding.

Adeline’s Gold Award project, The Trail Less Traveled, promoted greater access to hiking and outdoor exploration for girls, women and underrepresented groups. She worked to make hiking more approachable by leading guided hikes throughout the Tampa Bay area for Girl Scout troops, students and community members, while teaching participants about local ecology, conservation and the importance of protecting Florida’s natural spaces.

Across seven guided hikes, Adeline reached about 65 girls, students and community members and created a ten-page guide featuring hiking locations and environmental information. She partnered with knowledgeable community members during several hikes and shared her guide with Hillsborough High School’s National Honor Society, the Mayor’s Youth Corps, the Hillsborough County Greenways and Trails Committee, the Florida Wildlife Corridor’s Live Wildly campaign and the GSWCF Leadership Center. Her project encouraged more people to explore the outdoors with confidence and helped create a lasting resource for future hikers.

Amelie’s Gold Award project, Music Accessories for All, addressed the financial barriers that prevent students from fully participating in music programs due to the high cost of necessary accessories. Recognizing that instruments alone are not enough for success, she created a system to collect and distribute essential items such as strings, rosin, shoulder rests and cleaning supplies to students in need.

She partnered with The Violin Shop Tampa as a permanent donation site and worked with The Florida Orchestra’s Community Outreach and Education division to distribute items through their Strings Project. Through outreach efforts including social media, flyers, a website and a recital, Amelie collected over 100 music accessories and raised awareness among thousands of individuals. Her project will continue through ongoing partnerships with The Florida Orchestra, The Violin Shop Tampa and Adum Elementary’s Music Ambassador Program, with plans to expand the initiative across multiple counties and beyond.

Lily’s Gold Award project, Hearts for Humans, focused on increasing awareness and education around organ donation among teenagers. After noticing that many of her peers were unprepared to answer the organ donor question when applying for their driver’s permits, she set out to ensure students could make informed, life-saving decisions. She worked to dispel common myths and provide accurate, accessible information about organ and tissue donation.

She founded a SODA (Students for Organ Donation Awareness) club at her high school and led educational outreach through school events, community programs and partnerships with organizations including Donate Life and LifeLink of Florida. Lily and her team participated in large-scale events such as STEMapalooza and Student Saturdays at the DMV, reaching thousands of individuals through presentations, campaigns and social media. Her project will be sustained through continued partnerships, the ongoing work of her school club and the development of a youth advisory network to support organ donation advocacy.

Leyan’s Gold Award project, Palestine Unveiled: A Journey Through Heritage and Culture, focused on educating others about Palestinian history, culture and lived experiences. She worked to promote a more accurate and human-centered perspective by creating a platform that shared traditions, stories and historical context through workshops, presentations and a dedicated website.

She hosted interactive events where participants experienced Palestinian culture through food, dance and activities, and shared educational content through her website and social media. Through in-person events and digital outreach, Leyan reached over 2,000 individuals and partnered with organizations including the Islamic Community of Wesley Chapel and Girl Scout groups to expand her impact. Her project will be sustained through her website, continued use of her workshop materials and ongoing community efforts to share and celebrate Palestinian culture.

Dahlia’s Gold Award project focused on enhancing outdoor spaces at Camp Dorothy Thomas while promoting environmental responsibility among campers. She worked to rebuild primitive camping platforms and educate others on Leave No Trace principles and sustainable outdoor practices.

She led a team of volunteers to reconstruct camping platforms and created a website and educational materials focused on reducing environmental impact. Dahlia also hosted presentations for students and Girl Scout troops, teaching participants how to identify and reduce micro-trash and protect natural environments. Her project combined hands-on improvement with education, and her resources and platform designs will continue to guide future campers and volunteers.

Sarina’s Gold Award project, Nourish to Flourish, centered on helping young students build a better understanding of nutrition and healthy eating habits. She recognized that many children lack the knowledge and resources needed to make informed food choices, and developed an interactive curriculum that teaches topics such as balanced diets, reading nutrition labels and overall wellness.

She delivered workshops in schools, community organizations and medical settings, reaching thousands of individuals through both in-person events and large-scale outreach opportunities such as Girl Scout Fest and STEMapalooza. Sarina also partnered with educators and organizations to distribute educational materials and integrate her curriculum into classrooms. Her project will be sustained through continued use by teachers and community partners, ensuring long-term access to nutritional education.

Alexandria’s Gold Award project, Pages of Possibility, worked to increase access to books for children in foster care and encourage a love of reading. She recognized that many foster children do not have consistent access to books of their own, which can impact literacy development and personal growth. To address this, she organized a large-scale book drive and created mini-libraries within foster homes and organizations to provide reliable and meaningful access to reading materials.

She collected and donated nearly 400 books to multiple foster care organizations, including A Kid’s Place, Everyday Blessings and Joshua House. Alexandria also raised awareness through social media and presentations, helping others understand the challenges foster children face. Her project will continue through partnerships with school organizations and community groups that will sustain book donations and expand support for foster youth.

Charlotte’s Gold Award project, Growing Up Girl Podcast, aimed to provide young girls with access to positive female role models and real-life guidance. She created a podcast featuring interviews with successful women who shared personal stories, advice and life lessons, helping listeners better understand different paths to success and build confidence in their own journeys.

She recorded and published multiple podcast episodes, reaching hundreds of listeners and collecting feedback through surveys to measure impact. Charlotte also collaborated with school organizations to promote her podcast and expand its reach. Her project empowered young girls by providing guidance, encouragement and relatable experiences. The podcast will remain available online and may be continued by future student groups.

Gabriella’s Gold Award project, The Butterfly Effect, focused on educating younger audiences about antisemitism and the Holocaust. She partnered with the Florida Holocaust Museum to design and install a butterfly garden honoring the children lost during the Holocaust, creating a meaningful and lasting educational space. She also developed and led an interactive education program that taught students about antisemitism, the Holocaust and how to be upstanders.

She hosted a public education event at the museum, presented at Girl Scout Fest and shared her project at additional community events, reaching hundreds of participants through both in-depth discussions and shorter outreach interactions. Gabriella also created a website and social media platform to provide ongoing access to educational resources and expanded awareness through media coverage, including a feature in the Jewish Press. Through her combined efforts, she educated more than 300 individuals and created multiple pathways for continued learning. Her project will be sustained through the museum’s maintenance of the butterfly garden and continued access to her digital resources.

Lauryn’s Gold Award project, The Game that is Marketing, aimed to help young people build the skills and confidence needed to safely and effectively promote their work online. She developed and delivered presentations teaching students how to create and manage promotional campaigns.

She partnered with multiple organizations, including Hillsborough County Public Schools, Girl Scouts and local community groups, to present her program to students in grades 3–8. Lauryn reached hundreds of individuals through workshops and outreach events, providing them with practical skills in marketing and communication. Her curriculum will continue to be used by organizations and educators to support future student leaders.

Shea’s Gold Award project, The S.H.E.A. Project (Sea Turtles. Healing. Empowerment. Awareness.), addressed the need for youth-focused sea turtle conservation education while also supporting children undergoing medical treatment. She partnered with the Children’s Cancer Center to host four interactive workshops where participants learned about all seven species of sea turtles while creating meaningful, ocean-themed projects that promoted hope, strength and perseverance.

She led a team of 26 volunteers and coordinated over 360 hours of service to bring her project to life, distributing 61 Shell Buddy Boxes to children in treatment and their siblings and reaching more than 1,900 individuals through events such as Girl Scout Fest. Shea expanded her impact by creating educational videos, launching a Facebook page with over 300 followers, designing a Girl Scout patch earned by more than 115 participants and developing materials that will be shared through the Gulf Youth Ambassador program. Her project will continue through ongoing partnerships with the Children’s Cancer Center, her volunteer team and community organizations, ensuring continued education and support.

Elise’s Gold Award project, Full Circle Project, addressed the growing issue of textile waste caused by overconsumption and fast fashion. She focused on educating teens about the environmental impact of clothing waste while promoting sustainable practices such as thrifting, donating and reusing clothing.

She partnered with Clothes To Kids to organize a back-to-school clothing drive, collecting over 40 bags of clothing, shoes and accessories from more than 30 donors to support students in need. Elise also used social media to raise awareness, where her content generated strong engagement and encouraged community participation, and created a video for her school’s TV program highlighting local volunteer opportunities related to sustainability. Her project sparked meaningful conversations and inspired action within her community, and will continue through ongoing social media outreach, school promotion of volunteer opportunities and continued support for donation efforts.

Safiya’s Gold Award project, Art with Heart, addressed the lack of accessible mental health resources for refugee and immigrant children who have experienced trauma and displacement. She created a 33-page activity book designed to support emotional expression and well-being through art, focusing on themes such as self-esteem, identity, emotional regulation and stress relief.

She partnered with multiple nonprofit organizations, including Radiant Hands, Global Refuge, Refugee Assistance Alliance, Community Changemakers and the Hispanic Services Council, to distribute both physical and digital copies of her book. Safiya expanded accessibility by creating versions in English, Spanish, Arabic and Ukrainian, and donated over 135 printed copies through community drives and organizations. She also shared her project at large-scale events such as STEMapalooza, Girl Scout Fest and the Temple Terrace Arts Festival, where hundreds of participants engaged in expressive art activities. Her project will be sustained through ongoing use of her materials by nonprofit partners and continued access to her multilingual resources online.

Angelina’s Gold Award project, Bridging the Gap, addressed the loneliness and lack of social interaction experienced by elderly residents in nursing homes. Recognizing that many residents have limited contact with family or community members, she organized regular visits where volunteers engaged residents through conversations, games and meaningful interactions.

She brought groups of volunteers to participate in visits, creating opportunities for connection that helped residents feel valued and cared for. Through surveys and direct feedback, residents expressed feeling more connected to their community and looked forward to future visits. To ensure sustainability, Angelina partnered with her youth group to continue organizing visits and maintain outreach through social media. Her project fostered lasting relationships and provided a model for continued community engagement.

 

Mariana’s Gold Award project, America’s Heroes, addressed the emotional challenges faced by deployed military members, veterans and first responders who are often separated from their families. She focused on increasing awareness among youth about the realities of military life and the impact of deployment. Through educational presentations, she also incorporated hands-on service activities such as creating paracord bracelets and writing thank-you cards to show appreciation and support.

She led presentations for Girl Scout troops, schools, youth groups and Boys and Girls Clubs, reaching over 100 participants while collecting 460 bracelets and 280 cards. Mariana also delivered care packages to 10 fire stations and a police station and partnered with Operation Gratitude to distribute items to deployed service members worldwide. Her project will continue through recorded presentations on YouTube and partnerships with organizations that will share her program annually, ensuring continued education and support for military and first responder communities.

Leah’s Gold Award project, Stitched Together, addressed the need for comfort and support for individuals affected by natural disasters. Inspired by her experiences living through hurricanes, she focused on raising awareness of how handmade items can provide warmth and emotional support during times of crisis. She recruited fiber artists to create crochet sections that could be combined into blankets for those in need.

She partnered with Warm Up America! and the Hillsborough Hookers to collect 1,072 handmade sections from local and national contributors, resulting in 21 full blankets. Leah also hosted community events, taught volunteers how to contribute and led a national collection campaign, while using social media to educate over 200 individuals about disaster relief and the impact of handmade donations. Her project will be sustained through her partnership with Warm Up America! and continued sharing of her crochet pattern and resources, allowing others to contribute long after her involvement.

River’s Gold Award project, Music for a Sound Mind, Body, and Soul, addressed the mental health challenges faced by young people by promoting music as a positive outlet for emotional expression. She created workshops that taught students how different genres of music can influence mood and help individuals process their emotions in a healthy way.

She hosted sessions at her former elementary school, middle school and with Girl Scout troops, where participants created personalized playlists and reflected on how music impacts their well-being. River also developed a website and social media platform to share resources and allow others to continue exploring music as a coping tool. Her project will be sustained through her online platforms and continued use of her materials by educators, helping future students build healthy emotional habits.

Olivia’s Gold Award project, Back to Our Roots, focused on strengthening knowledge and confidence in Girl Scout traditions among both girls and adult leaders. After recognizing that many Girl Scout members were unfamiliar with key traditions, she developed an instructional packet outlining essential practices such as the flag ceremony, SWAPS, Kaper Charts, the Girl Scout handshake and the friendship circle.

She introduced these traditions through a hands-on training event and continued her outreach by visiting multiple troop meetings to provide additional instruction and support. Olivia partnered with her Service Unit to promote her project and distribute materials, ensuring leaders had the tools needed to confidently teach Girl Scout traditions. Her instructional packet will continue to be used and shared with new leaders, helping preserve Girl Scout traditions across her community.

Janelle’s Gold Award project, No Cat Left Behind, worked to ensure pet owners are better prepared to evacuate safely with their cats during natural disasters. She recognized that many cat owners are unsure how to properly plan for emergencies, which can put pets at risk. To help prevent this, she focused on educating cat owners about how to prepare in advance and safely evacuate with their pets.

She created a video, flyer and checklist that provided clear and accessible guidance, which she shared through online platforms and community outreach. Her project reached dozens of individuals, helping many develop evacuation plans and feel more prepared during emergencies. By providing practical tools and education, Janelle increased awareness about pet safety. Her materials will remain available online and continue to be shared with the community.

Heidi’s Gold Award project addressed harmful algal blooms and coastal erosion in Pinellas County by promoting oyster restoration and environmental education. She focused on the role oysters play in filtering water and improving ecosystem health while reducing shoreline damage.

She partnered with Pinellas County Environmental Management and led volunteers in creating and installing more than 200 oyster “volcanoes” at Philippe Park. Through volunteer events, presentations and an educational video, she reached hundreds of individuals and raised awareness about protecting local waterways. Her project will continue through ongoing monitoring by environmental organizations and participation from local school groups.

Emma’s Gold Award project, Stretch-and-Go, focused on promoting proper stretching habits among athletes and individuals who exercise to help prevent avoidable injuries. Inspired by personal experiences and observing injuries among teammates, she focused on educating her community about the importance of consistent stretching before and after physical activity.

She shared her message across Polk County and her college community by posting informational flyers with QR codes linking to demonstration videos and by teaching stretching techniques in person at schools, YMCA classes and community events. Emma engaged both youth and adults through hands-on instruction, reinforcing proper techniques and helping participants understand the benefits of stretching for injury prevention and muscle recovery. Her project increased awareness and encouraged long-term habit changes, with resources continuing to be displayed and used in schools and community spaces.

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