What did you do for your project?
In my small community of Divide, the elementary schools have started to see preschoolers starting school lacking the six early literacy skills. These skills are said to be the starting base of what kids need to make them successful readers. A group of reading experts have determined that these six literacy skills are the building blocks for later success in reading and writing. Researchers have explained that kids who enter school with more of these skills better understood the information they receive in school. These skills include vocabulary; knowing the names of things; print motivation; a child’s interest in and enjoyment of a book, print awareness; learning that writing in English follows basic rules, narrative skills; being able to tell and understand a story, letter knowledge; learning that letters have names and are different from each other, and phonological awareness; the ability to hear and manipulate the smaller sounds in smaller words. With my satellite library, I hope to get kids interested in reading again and choose a book over a device. In hopes of this happening, there are many people who benefit from it. The schools benefit from the kids that come in knowing and/or having exposure to these key literacy skills. The parents benefit, having their kids get a jump start in school, and being eager about reading. But most importantly, kids benefit the most. They now have something that they love and no longer have to potentially struggle with school and feel like they are behind their peers. They will have the confidence to succeed in school and develop a life-long love of reading.
How did you measure the impact your project made on your target audience?
To measure the impact my project has made on the kids, I created a log sheet asking for their name, age, and how many books they took. This was an easy way for me to keep track of my project, but also making it fun for kids. The idea of the log came from the ideas of geocaching. In this case, they were getting books as their prizes. When I was younger, my brother and I got really interested in doing geocaching and it was always fun to see who the last poeple were to find it and how long ago they found it. This is something that I wanted to incoperate into my project to add to the fun.
How is your project sustainable? How will it continue to impact after your involvement?
The Rampart Library District, Community Partners of Teller County, and Summit Elementary have committed to sustaining books and filling the library. Every three months, a volunteer from one of these organizations has agreed to check on the library, rotate books, and fill if necessary. The Rampart Library District has agreed to incorporate it into different programs throughout the year such as their summer reading program. Community Partners will promote it through its different programs and resources. Summit Elementary will promote it through their literacy nights, as well as putting a flyer out for homeschoolers. All organizations have agreed to donate books to the library with Rampart Library primarily managing donations.
What did you learn about yourself?
This project pushed me way out of my comfort zone. I had to do some things that I have never been comfortable doing and take on something bigger than ever. I learned that I could do anything that I set my mind to even when things don’t go the way things are planned. Over the time it has taken me to complete this project, I have run into numerous things that have set me back and didn’t nearly go the way they were planned to go. But, that’s the thing about life, things rarely go smoothly or in a straight line. I think this project showed me the kind of leader I can be. I love helping people and making things better. I wanted to be able to inspire people about my passion and I was able to do that.
How will earning your Gold Award impact you in the future?
Something this project has taught me is how to take lead. We can’t always stand back and wait for someone else to take the lead and tell us what to do. I think one of the hardest parts of these projects was having to do everything on my own. There were a lot of roadblocks that were hit and it was up to me to get past them and enroll others to support. There was no one telling me what to do or how to fix things when they didn’t work out. Basically, I couldn’t have someone help me and hold my hand the entire way. I think this has helped grow my leadership skills immensely. I am no longer intimidated by adults and asking for support. I am okay with leading people that are older than me. For a long time, I have always been used to being told what I am supposed to do and following their leadership. This has helped me become a better leader. I can take this into my future and college. Additionally, this project has helped with my public speaking skills. I am a better public speaker because of the number of times I needed to get in front of people and groups to promote my project.
Why do you feel the Gold Award was an important part of your girl scout experience?
I feel the the Gold Award was a huge key piece in my Girl Scout experience and my leadership skills as a whole. I will tell you it is not an easy task, but when you finally reach the end, you get to say that you made a mark that is huge. I wanted to make a mark on my community and leave something behind to better my community. My Gold Award taught me so much about myself and the world. It taught me that helping others was a huge part of what I valued in my life and I wanted to further that into college and eventually my career.
How did earning your Gold Award help you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)?
I became a G.I.R.L. in expanding every one of these skills- one of the biggest things being a go-getter. I learned that if you want something to happen or you want to see change happen, you can’t stand around and wait for it to happen. If you really want something to change you, have to be willing to step out of your comfort zone and take the risk. You have to be a go-getter and get what you want. There were a lot of roadblocks that stood in my way from making this project possible, but I learned very quiclky that I wasn’t going to let that stop me.
**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.