What did you do for your Gold Award project?
For my project I built a Little Free Library for Tierra. The library can be used by anyone who wants to read. The goal for my project was to encourage people of all ages to read more.
How did you measure the impact your Gold Award project made on your target audience?
Within one week of planting the library, there were new books and all the Dr. Seuss books were gone. I have also received responses from people on the Facebook page I created.
How is your project sustainable? How will your project continue to impact after your involvement?
The Aurora Libraries is committed to working with the Aurora Parks and Recreation District for the security of the “House of Words in Tierra Park”. The Interact Club (High School Rotary) at Cherokee Trail High School has committed to checking and restocking the house quarterly.
What is your project’s global and/or national connection
Nationally, I will be connecting through the House of Words in Tierra Park Facebook page and the Little Free Library organization registration and map of world-wide locations. Globally, I will be traveling to three countries via Girl Scouts and will visit a local library in London where I will place books with my Facebook connection and leave bookmarks with the links to the Facebook page “House of Words in Tierra Park” and the “Little Free Library” site.
What did you learn about yourself?
Without a commitment to Girl Scouts I might not have learned the strength and tenacity it takes to survive challenges.
I also learned that I am smart, strong, able to organize and direct others, I am sensitive to the needs of my community, able to adapt to challenges, and perfectly capable of making the world a better place. I am proud to represent the Girl Scouts of Colorado.
How will earning your Gold Award impact you in the future?
I am currently nominated to the United States Naval Academy and while I wait to hear about a future with the Academy, I know that the Gold Award allowed me to truly embody the meaning of serving others. This will always be carried forward.
Why do you feel the Gold Award was an important part of your Girl Scout experience?
I have been in Girl Scouts for 12 years now and I have had many opportunities through Girl Scouts. The Gold Award was a great way to wrap up my Girl Scout experience because I was able to use all that I have learned in Girl Scouts in my project. Also, finishing my senior year out with my Gold Award Project has meant a lot because I was able to give back to a community that has given me so much.
**IMPORTANT NOTE: This blog represents only a small fraction of the hard work, dedication and requirements that go into earning a Girl Scout Gold Award. It is simply a brief summary, which is meant to inspire Girl Scouts to Go Gold in the future. For more information on earning your Gold Award, please email highestawards@gscolorado.org