Garrett Ann Nevins
Highlands Ranch
Mountain Vista High School
Unifying Christmas
What did you do for your Gold Award project?
For my Gold Award project I taught high school SSN (special support needs) students some life skills they could use to make fleece pillows that they donated to the Ronald McDonald House. The goal was to connect the students with the community in a way that would result in them giving back. This project required them to focus on following directions, developing and using math skills, and working on their hand-eye coordination.
Why did you pursue this Gold Award project?
I pursued my Gold Award project because I wanted to make a difference in the lives of the students and provide them with skills and memories they could carry forward in the future.
How did your Gold Award project make a difference?
My project made a difference by teaching a new life skill to the students, giving them additional confidence and self-esteem to know they are giving back to the community. This project also gave the peer interns who assist these students another opportunity to help others as well.
What skills did you gain through earning your Gold Award?
The skills I gained from my Gold Award project were organization and time management, because I had to make sure I met certain deadlines. Another skill I believed I developed was patience. During my project, I had to make sure I gave people enough lead time for them to respond to my requests.
What will you most remember about your Gold Award project?
The thing I will remember most about my Gold Award is observing the SSN students making the fleece pillows. It was so inspiring to see their excitement and energy going into their work, and also seeing how intrigued they were and interested to help the Ronald McDonald House residents. It was incredible being able to achieve my goal; for they expressed how happy they were to be able to donate their pillows, and still ask periodically if the pillows are liked by their recipients.
How will earning your Gold Award help you in your future?
I am looking at a possible career in special education, and the Gold Award gave me an opportunity to lead a project with this amazing group of students.
Why do you feel the Gold Award is an important part of your Girl Scout experience?
I feel the Gold Award is an important part of my Girl Scout experience, because it provided me an opportunity to put the Girl Scout leadership skills and parts of the Girl Scout Law to work in a service project that makes the world a better place.