2026 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 Sonia Kettler. Using recycled bottle caps to create a vibrant mural, Kettler turned community waste into a powerful message about environmental awareness and the dangers of microplastics. Her 12-year journey in Girl Scouts reflects a lifelong dedication to advocacy, art, and positive change. Completing this project gave her a greater sense of purpose as she prepares to dive further into her passion for environmental policy. Kettler plans to attend Colorado State University this fall to pursue a degree in environmental science. When she graduates, she wants to work in environmental policy and advocacy.

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

Gianna Sauvageau tackled the critical issue of elderly loneliness with her Gold Award project by establishing an annual event and a framework for assisted living facilities to foster lasting community connections This meaningful work marks the culmination of her 13-year journey as a Girl Scout and reflects her deep commitment to service. Completing this project has been her most rewarding experience yet, inspiring her to continue improving the lives of those around her. Sauvageau plans to attend Front Range Community College to

pursue a career in law enforcement.

This year the Debbie Haskins Spirit of Girl Scouting Award was awarded to Sofia Deacon Day. Deacon Day's peer support program empowers students to advocate for mental health and suicide prevention, creating a safer and more responsive school community. Her Gold Award project leads with empathy and positions students as a critical front line in the community in care of their peers. This experience reinforced her understanding that meaningful change stems from purposeful leadership and taking direct action, and she has made a lasting impact. Deacon Day received this award because of her courage in taking on this project inspired by her friend and peer who died by suicide. While she hasn't decided on a career path yet, she knows she wants to continue to challenge herself through research, collaboration, and community involvement.

"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. Continuing 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.