2025 Gold Award Scholarship recipients

Each year, Gold Award Girl Scouts are eligible to earn the Stephanie A. Foote Leadership Prize. This award was made possible through a generous gift to Girl Scouts of Colorado’s Endowment by former Girl Scouts of Colorado President and CEO Stephanie A. Foote. “I am proud to recognize Girl Scouts whose Gold Award projects have made a lasting impact,” Foote said.

This year's Stephanie Foote Leadership Prize recipient is Abigail Reynolds. For Reynolds' Gold Award project, she created a program, Gearing 4 Engineering, that set out to break down gender stereotypes that discourage girls from pursuing careers in engineering. To do this, Reynolds created an inclusive, hands-on expo where third - eighth grade students tackled real-world engineering challenges and showcased their solutions through creative presentations. By making project submissions anonymous, the program ensures fair evaluation based solely on innovation and effort, fostering a space where all students can thrive. Her project will continue to inspire and empower future generations of young engineers with a commitment from Aspen View Academy.

The Scholarship Committee would also like to recognize an honorable mention.

Kanshita Dam’s Gold Award project established a sustainable system for donating ethnic clothing from the United States to communities in need in India. By collecting gently used garments to reduce waste and support individuals working to rise out of poverty, the project built strong partnerships with local temples and cultural organizations. A temple in Denver and the Milonee Association committed to hosting regular donation drives, ensuring the program continues beyond the creator’s involvement. With three shipments sent in just six months and a dedicated volunteer team in place, this initiative is set to make a lasting impact through ongoing clothing drives and international support.

This year the Debbie Haskins Spirit of Girl Scouting Award went to Darja Jaceva. Driven by a desire to create a safe and welcoming space for teens, especially those feeling out of place, Jaceva's project transformed the Warehouse Youth Center into a vibrant, inclusive environment. As an immigrant teen herself, Jaceva understands the importance of a space where young people can truly be themselves. By leading a team to design and paint three beautiful murals the project infused the center with warmth, kindness, and a peaceful atmosphere.

"What makes the Gold Award so special is the passion these Girl Scouts bring to creating meaningful change,” said Leanna Clark, CEO of Girl Scouts of Colorado. “These young women have identified issues important to them, made a tangible difference in their communities, and excelled as leaders. We celebrate their initiative, their leadership, and the profound impact they are already having. The possibilities ahead for them are limitless.”

Open only to girls in high school, the Girl Scout Gold Award is the most prestigious award in the world for girls—and the most difficult to earn. The Gold Award project involves seven steps: 1. Identify an issue, 2. Investigate it thoroughly, 3. Get help and build a team, 4. Create a plan, 5. Present the plan and gather feedback, 6. Take action, 7. Educate and inspire. Of the skills learned through Girl Scouts’ Highest Awards, leadership, organization, and critical thinking are the fundamentals of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.

Many universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award recipients, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements. New this year, the University of Colorado, Denver is showing its support for Girl Scouts by offering guaranteed admission to any Girl Scout who earns a 3.0 GPA and a Gold Award.

We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here.