Submitted by Ariella Wells Northern & Northeastern CO Fort Collins Thank you Fort Collins for supporting our Girl Acout troop and their Hometown Hero! Thanks to you 281 packages of cookies were delivered to the Fort Collins Mission to help give some goodies to our local homeless population. While we were dropping off the cookies, the girls saw a man and his son waiting in line for food. Homelessness can impact anyone and we were thankful for the opportunity to give to those less fortunate in our local community. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too. #NorthernampNortheasternCO #FortCollinsMission #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #2018GirlScoutCookieProgram #HometownHeroes #FortCollins #homelessness

From Girl Scouts of the USA According to the Girl Scout Research Institute study Having It All: Girls and Financial Literacy, girls know they need a solid financial foundation, but few feel confident about their skills. Girl Scouts and Toyota Financial Services (TFS) are changing that, through a multiyear partnership developed to help girls become self-reliant, financially informed, and capable of leveraging their talent and business values to make the world a better place. Thanks to the partnership, every Girl Scout Junior, Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador can take part in financial-planning activities that let them practice real-life scenarios, like saving for college and building good credit—important stuff! One way Girl Scouts and TFS are preparing girls to take charge of their financial education and future is with the TFS “Driving My Financial Future” Tip Sheet—a key resource to help Girl Scouts further strengthen the skills they hone when they earn Financial Literacy badges. These badges can be earned throughout the year and target such practical situations as setting up a budget and engaging in philanthropy. Efforts like this one build young women’s financial literacy, empowering them for a successful future—tomorrow and in the decades to come. So what are you waiting for? Accelerate your girl’s future with our awesome Tip Sheet! #GirlScoutsoftheUSA #GSUSA #financialliteracy #financialempowerment #ToyotaFinancialServices

Submitted by Heidi Kane Metro Denver Thornton Girl Scout Troop 62816 in Thornton helped bag food with Food for Hope, helping thousands of children in Adams County that are enrolled in nutritional services during the school year. This ensures that these low-resource students eat healthy meals during the weekends, when not at school. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too. #communityservice #FoodforHope #Thornton #MetroDenver #AdamsCounty

Submitted by Jessica Jones Metro Denver Thornton Troop 60184 donated 243 packages of Girl Scout Cookies to our Hometown Hero, Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too. #BarbaraDavisCenterforChildhoodDiabetes #HometownHero #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #2018GirlScoutCookieProgram #Thornton #MetroDenver

Submitted by Sharalee Pederson Western Slope Gunnison Troop 13461 of Gunnison with 14 girls is celebrating their amazing cookie season. This is the thank you they are sending out to their customers. They sold 11,609 packages of cookies! This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too. #WesternSlope #cookies #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #2018GirlScoutCookieProgram #Gunnison

Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Elizabeth Moore of Conifer in the Metro Denver region has served as a troop leader and service unit volunteer for many years. She is also a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community. GSCO asked Elizabeth to answer a few quick questions about her volunteer experience. We hope you find her as inspiring as we did. Why did you become a Girl Scout volunteer? Initially, I began volunteering because it was the only way for my daughters to get the Girl Scout experience I wanted for them. As my role expanded, however, my motivation became to deliver the Girl Scout experience to as many girls within my sphere of influence that I could. Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout? First and foremost, I am a troop leader. My troop spans from kindergarten Daisies to a 9th grade Senior. I have many co-leaders that help me manage all the different levels of girls, but I manage most of the administrative work and a lot of the activity planning. Right now, I am actively leading the Daisy and Cadette levels. I also serve as service unit manager (a natural outgrowth from managing such a large troop) and a trainer (primarily to fill the need I saw within my service unit). What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer? I have learned a lot about event planning and communication. I’ve learned about teaching girls at all ages. I’ve also learned a lot about myself – what I’m capable of, what my strengths are, and where I can still use some help. What do you hope girls have learned from you? I hope that girls have learned how to be confident, how to pursue things they are interested in learning about, and how to take risks that they might not otherwise. How has your experience as a volunteer helped you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)? My experiences in Girl Scouts have enabled me to reenter the workforce after 10 years of raising my children. I never would have had the skills – or the confidence! – I needed without having volunteered. Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org. #VolunteerNews #Conifer #volunteerspotlight #VolunteerAppreciationMonth #VolunteerAppreciation #MetroDenver

Submitted by Anna Campbell Western Slope Grand Junction Troop 17108 from Grand Junction passed on their cookie donations to their hometown heroes, the Justice League of Hope. As a thank you, Kid Pool and Hershel the Hobo did a magic show and helped us celebrate Kayla’s sixth birthday. This was a great day for our troop and we all hope our cookie contribution helps the Justice League of Hope pass on some unbreakable smiles. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too. #GrandJunction #WesternSlope #GirlScoutCookieProgram #2018GirlScoutCookieProgram #HometownHeroes #JusticeLeagueofHope

Submitted by Andrea Robison Metro Denver Northglenn Back by popular demand! Cadette Troop 60569 is once again hosting a Brownie Journey event! Our Cadettes are excited to help Brownies complete this fun and essential journey in just ONE half-day session! There are four sessions from which to choose: -Saturday, April 21, 2018 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. -Saturday, April 21, 2018 1 – 4 p.m. -Saturday, April 28, 2018 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. -Saturday, April 28, 2018 1  – 4 p.m. All sessions will be located at Northglenn Christian Church (1800 E. 105th Pl., Northglenn, CO 80233). The “Brownie Quest” Journey will be completed in one half-day session by exploring the three keys (Discover, Connect, Take Action) led by our enthusiastic Cadette guides. Key 1 (Discover): Learn teamwork and complete a scavenger hunt to explore the values of the Girl Scout Law, while also learning the value of every girl’s talents. Key 2 (Connect): Connect as a member of a team by creating a team agreement, preparing a healthy snack (please inform us of any food allergies), and learning simple exercises. Key 3 (Take Action): Team up to participate in a service project by making newborn blankets for active military families. Cost: $10 per Brownie This is not a drop-off event. Leaders are expected to adhere to adult-to-girl ratios. Journey books and badges are not included. To register, please go to ​​​https://complete-brownie-quest-journey2.cheddarup.com. All payments must be made via this link prior to the event (echecks are accepted). No on-site registration will be available. For more information, contact Andrea Robison at troop0569@gmail.com.​ This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too. #GSCOevents #browniequest #GirlScoutBrownies #Journeys #MetroDenver #BrownieQuestJourney #Northglenn

Congratulations on an amazing cookie program! Are you looking for something to do with your cookie proceeds? Is your troop interested in staying at a Girl Scouts of Colorado property? We would love to host you! Check the list below for some available weekend dates at our properties through fall 2018, as of April 23. All reservations are first come, first served and can be booked at http://girlscoutsofcolorado.checkfront.com/reserve/. Full availability can be found at our booking site.  There may be one-night stays or individual cabins not listed on this blog. Sky High Ranch Lodge: Aug 31-Sept 2, Oct 19-21 Lucky Circle Cabins: Aug 31-Sept 2, Oct 19-21 Greenwood Cabins:  Oct 19-21 Troop House: Aug 31-Sept 2, Oct 19-21 Citadel Cabins: Aug 31-Sept 2 Sawmill Cabins:  May 18-20, Aug 31-Sept 2 Arrowhead Tabins: Aug 17-19, Aug 24-26, Aug 31-Sept 2 Magic Sky Ranch Old Lodge: May 25-27, Jun 15-17, Aug 10-12, Aug 24-26, Aug 31-Sept 2, Sept 7-9, Sept 21-23, Sept 28-30, Oct 5-7, Oct 19-21, Oct 26-28 All Season Cabins: May 25-27, Jun 1-3, Jun 15-17, Jun 22-24, Aug 3-5, Aug 10-12, Aug 17-19, Aug 24-26, Aug 31-Sept 2, Sept 7-9, Sept 21-23, Sept 28-30, Oct 5-7, Oct 19-21, Oct 26-28 Seasonals: May 25-27, Jun 1-3, Jun 15-17, Jun 22-24, Aug 3-5, Aug 10-12, Aug 17-19, Aug 24-26 Tent Sites: May 25-27, Jun 1-3, Jun 15-17, Aug 3-5, Aug 10-12, Aug 17-19, Aug 24-26 Meadow Mountain Ranch Lodge: Oct 26-28 Lyra Tabins:  Aug 31-Sept 2, Sept 7-9 Meekers Tabins: Aug 31-Sept 2, Sept 7-9 Windridge Birdhouse Tabins: Jun 8-10, Jun 29-Jul 1, Aug 31-Sept 2, Sept 7-9 Tent Sites: Aug 31-Sept 2, Sept 7-9 Lazy Acres Lodge: Jun 8-10, Jun 22-24, Aug 10-12, Aug 17-19, Aug 24-26, Sept 7-9, Sept 21-23, Sept 28-30 Forest Cabins: Jun 8-10, Jun 15-17, Jun 22-24, Jul 6-8, Jul 27-29, Aug 10-12, Aug 17-19, Aug 24-26, Sept 7-9, Sept 21-23, Sept 28-30 Meadow Cabins: Jun 8-10, Jun 15-17, Jun 22-24, Jul 6-8, Aug 3-5, Aug 10-12, Aug 17-19, Aug 24-26, Sept 7-9, Sept 21-23, Sept 28-30 Mountain Cabins: Jun 8-10, Jun 15-17, Jun 22-24, Aug 17-19, Sept 7-9, Sept 21-23, Sept 28-30 Looking to run a service unit camp or encampment? To run a camp at a Girl Scouts of Colorado property, you must reserve the full property. Full property reservations are available for the following dates: Sky High Ranch: Oct 19-21 Magic Sky Ranch: Aug 31-Sept 2, Sept 7-9, Sept 21-23,  Sept 28-30, Oct 5-7, Oct 19-21, Oct 26-28 Lazy Acres: Jun 8-10, Jun 22-24, Aug 17-19, Sept 7-9, Sept 21-23, Sept 28-30 Questions? Contact property.reservations@gscolorado.org. #GSCOPropertyReservations #cookieproceeds #MagicSkyRanch #MeadowMountainRanch #TwistedPine #GirlScoutCookies #TomahawkRanch #GirlScoutCookieProgram #2018GirlScoutCookieProgram #troopcamping

Submitted by Jamie Candelaria Pikes Peak Colorado Springs “There’s a special bond between kids and bikes that can never be broken. Riding a bike is a rite of passage, a passport to worlds beyond the front lawn. Bikes represent fun, freedom, and fresh air — everything that’s good about being a kid. Moreover, biking is a healthy pastime that kids will never outgrow.”- Parent Magazine With that special bond of kids and bikes in mind, Colorado Girl Scout Troop 43893 in Colorado Springs sought to make that happen for kids who otherwise couldn’t afford that journey beyond the front lawn. On March 1 and 2, 2018, Troop 43893 teamed up with Academy International Elementary School for a bike drive. Troop Co-Leader Jamie Candelaria explained: “Academy International does an annual running event called Lynx Laps as a fundraiser and we thought it would be a great idea to have a bike drive to encourage those who don’t yet have bikes to get active,” she said. Plus, “Every kid needs a bike!” It also gave the girls the perfect opportunity to give back to the community, a core value of Girl Scouts, and in line with the previous community work that Troop 43893 has done in the past. “Girl Scouts is a fantastic program that promotes and teaches girls to be leaders who give back to the community,” Candelaria said. “Girl Scouts have made it a priority to be positive contributors to our community. We have held a book drive, animal food drive to donate to the Humane Society of Pikes Peak, collected more than 600 cookie donations to give to over troops overseas and Hometown Heroes, made pillow cases and put together activity kits for parents and children who are at Children’s Hospital,” among many other contributions. All bikes donated will benefit Kids on Bikes, a non-profit organization in Colorado Springs whose mission it is to make bicycling possible for all children from all walks of life. Kids on Bikes was founded in 2005 and initially strictly bought new bikes and did bike giveaways. Two years ago, they turned their business model on its head and began accepting donated bikes and were able to open up more programs and bicycle libraries around town. Troop 4389’s goal for the two-day drive was to maybe fill the van that held 10 or so bikes. They needed a bigger van. “We hoped for 5 or 6 bikes,” said Candelaria. “We got 36 bikes donated!” Girl Scouts learned the value of doing for others on the two days of the drive.  “It meant that people cared about donating bikes since there were a lot of people that donated,” said Brownie Sofie Harsma, who also donated a bike to the drive. “It was fun because some of my friends were there and we all rushed to get the donated bikes.” “I like that now people can ride different bikes,” said Sarah Brickman, a Troop 43893 Brownie, who also donated a bike. “I like riding my bike. It’s fun and it’s healthy and now more kids can do that. People who don’t know how to ride bikes can now learn on the training wheel bikes that people donated.” “This bike drive helped me realize how fortunate I am to be able to ride my bike everyday. I also loved seeing how much people cared because my school was able to donate 36 bikes.”  Bryan Sespico, a coordinator with Kids on Bikes who fixes up the donated bikes through Pedal Station on South Tejon St., could not have been happier with the results of this drive. Since Kids on Bikes started accepting donations of bikes in 2016, they have received over 1300 bikes. “The Girl Scout bike drive was great!” Sespico said. “It was really kind of the Girl Scouts to take the initiative and put this all together for us.” Sespico said that most of the bikes that were donated through the Girl Scout drive will be used for the Earn-A-Bike program or bike libraries, or will wait until the perfect union of kid and bike can be found. Earn-A-Bike is hands-on programming that gives kids the opportunity to earn a bicycle for themselves after learning basic safety and riding skills, setting them off on their journey to find out what exists beyond their driveways and to find new adventures around them. “I’ve been able to personally hand off bikes to a couple kids and they’re always so grateful and excited to ride,” Sespico said. “It’s a contagious kind of excitement.” It sure was for Troop 43893. “This bike drive was the perfect opportunity for our Girl Scouts (Troop 43893) to do what they love,” Candelaria said. “Our girls were so excited to collect the bikes and have a hand in ensuring all kids have an opportunity to ride bikes! They had a blast collecting the bike from the drop-off lines at AIES.” To learn more about Kids on Bikes, or to make a bike or financial contribution, visit https://kidsonbikes.net/. Troop 43893 is a multi-level troop and has done AMAZING G.I.R.L things for our community. We have made it a priority to be positive contributors to our community. We have held a book drive, animal food drive to donate to the Humane Society of Pikes Peak, collected more than 600 cookie donations to give to over troops overseas and Hometown Heroes, made pillow cases, and put together activity kits for parents and children who are at Children’s Hospital, raised donations for hygiene products to donate to the local shelters, among many other contributions. We are Go-Getters, Innovators, Risk-Takers, and LEADERS! This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too. #bikes #ColoradoSprings #KidsonBikes #EarnABike #PikesPeak

Once Upon a Time, a fantasy and Disney-themed camp at Tomahawk Ranch! Tomahawk Ranch invites Cadettes to Ambassadors to a Disney themed camp: TR27 Once Upon a Time Ages: Cadettes-Ambassadors Dates: June 24 – June 29 Early Bird Price: $700 After May 1: $750 Accommodations: heated cabin w/bathrooms and showers Description: Become a pirate, a princess, a warrior, or a way finder! “Once Upon a Time” promises to be a week full of magic. Activities include: soaring off-site to a local zip line, hosting the maddest tea party in Wonderland, following the will o’ the wisps to fire an arrow, hunting for treasure as a “lost girl,” finding Maui’s hook while navigating the stars, hiking to Paradise Falls and learning animation magic to create cartoon characters. Besides the grit and grace this camp offers, campers will experience storytelling around a campfire with marshmallows and friends, visit baby goats at the farm, relax on a hammock, rejuvenate the mind through activities like yoga, gardening and cooking outdoors. Earn your ears and remember: Adventure is out there! Register Now! Girls zoom down the zip line at this camp! #ziplinecamps #Cadettecamps #AmbassadorCamps #GirlScoutCamp #TomahawkRanch #camp

This spring 40 Colorado Girl Scouts will receive the Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouts. These young women are challenged to change the world – or at least their corner of it. Gold Award Girl Scouts are making the world a better place. They’ve completed a large-scale project that solves a community problem not only in the short-term but for years into the future. By doing so, they’ve gained extraordinary leadership and citizenship skills that mark them as valuable contributors to their communities and world. This year’s Colorado Gold Award projects benefited communities around the world. Topics varied from creating a cookbook and raising awareness for community cafés nationwide to educating elementary school students about the declining bee population to helping Haitian children learn valuable business skills. Lillian Tobias from Breckenridge traveled to Haiti to set up an entrepreneurship program at St. Paul’s school in the rural coastal town of Petit Trou de Nippes. Emelie Knitz from Colorado Springs created a cookbook for FoCo Café in Fort Collins to educate people about what community cafés are and how they help the public. Rose Goodman from Boulder created a lesson plan, which meets common-core standards, to educate second grade students about the declining bee population and how they can help bees. Marieke van Erven from Brighton partnered with the Adams County Elections Department to create VOTE (Voter Outreach Through Education), which takes education about the local elections department into high school government classes. The following Colorado Girl Scouts are among the 40 statewide who will receive the prestigious Gold Award for the 2017-18 Girl Scout awards year: Losing a close family friend to testicular cancer inspired Geneva Ascher from Breckenridge, Summit High School, to teach young people how to properly perform self breast and testicular exams. The lesson plans she created and delivered to her classmates will continue to be used by her school. Meg Bleylefrom Highlands Ranch, Highlands Ranch High School, worked to increase the bee population by teaching children about how people need and depend on bees. Beth Bolonfrom Longmont hosted a workshop for sixth through ninth grade girls to help them improve their communication skills and bolster their confidence when interacting with others. Cheyanne Bridgesfrom Colorado Springs, Liberty High School, partnered with the Pikes Peak Humane Society to support their animal medical fund by providing a sustainable source of donations from her school. Tara Butlerfrom Denver, Overland High School, created a course and curriculum specifically for senior citizens to educate them on how to use their smartphone and better understand the technology. Nicole Choma from Breckenridge, Summit High School, developed a partnership between her own rugby team and a local after school program designed to promote physical activity and healthy eating behaviors in children. Older students taught a rugby lesson at elementary schools around Summit County. Kayleigh Cornellfrom Aurora, Grandview High School, started the Colorado Book Bank and collected more than 1,300 new and gently used books for students in a summer lunch program. Aubree Crockett from Colorado Springs, Vanguard High School, wanted to create understanding and acceptance between people around the world while inspiring people to create positive change on their own. She did this through distributing electronic kits, which included a digital camera and instructions for how people could share their daily life, to people all over the world. Fifty-two participants and 25+ partner organizations have all received a copy of the book and more stories are being collected and added to the project. Peyton Dailey from Centennial, Grandview High School, created a coalition between Spanish Honor Society students at her school and the Independent Learning Communities program, to provide ILC students the opportunity to learn and practice Spanish in a one-on-one setting. Victoria Delatefrom Centennial, Cherry Creek High School, created a four-week self-defense course to give her fellow students the knowledge and skills to protect themselves from sexual assault. Emma Deutschfrom Denver, Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning, improved the cat rooms at the Denver Animal Shelter. By creating a more welcoming and colorful space, she encouraged more people to adopt cats. Kamaryn Evansfrom Castle Rock, Douglas County High School, worked to raise awareness for victims of domestic violence and for the Crisis Center, which works to end domestic violence through advocacy, education, and prevention. Inspired by her own love of music and struggles with mental health, Madeline Farr from Centennial, Arapahoe High School, worked to install a piece of outdoor musical equipment called a “metallophone” on the playground of a low-resource elementary school. She also provided the school with lesson plans for how to use the instrument and educated her community about the importance of alternate recess activities for anxious young people. Brenna Giblin of Westminster, Jefferson County Open School, worked to increase awareness for Turner Syndrome and help girls who are diagnosed with it. TS is a chromosomal disorder that affects 25-50 out of every 100,000 live baby girl births. Brenna created a video of girls with TS sharing their stories, experiences, and advice for others. Rose Goodmanfrom Boulder, Boulder High School, created a lesson plan, which meets common-core standards, to educate second grade students about the declining bee population and how they can help bees. Elizabeth Hoelscherfrom Aurora, Grandview High School, partnered with Avanti House, which houses teenage survivors of sex trafficking, to build a new library for the home and create welcome baskets for the girls. Ashlin Hultfrom Niwot, Niwot High School, created a series of materials for middle-school girls to encourage healthy body image and increase self-esteem. Zoi Johnsfrom Golden, Lakewood High School, coordinated the installation of three 10,000-liter water filtration tanks in a school in rural Uganda and educated students in Uganda and in Colorado about the importance of clean water. Emma Kerr from Monument, Palmer Ridge High School, built a bookshelf and reading center at a local elementary school. With the help of administrators and teachers, she also started a fun and competitive read-a-thon program in which more than 300 students participated. Emelie Knitz from Colorado Springs, Discovery Canyon Campus High School, created a cookbook for FoCo Café in Fort Collins to educate people about what community cafés are, how they help the public, and where people can find other community cafés. Makayla Kocherfrom Monument, Colorado Springs Christian School, created an art program for nursing home residents. Kayleigh Limbachfrom Niwot, Niwot High School, wrote a guidebook for incoming International Baccalaureate students to help them weigh their options for their academic future. Ty’esha Lockyer from Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs Christian School, worked to encourage more people to volunteer for Special Olympics. She created a brochure and posters that went to more than 100 volunteer and civic organizations across the county. Justine Monsell from Highlands Ranch, Mountain Vista High School, partnered with American Legion Post 82 and the Elizabeth Cemetery to provide emblem markers and flags for the more than 150 veterans who are laid to rest in the cemetery. Alexis Montaguefrom Castle Rock, Castle View High School, hosted a panel discussion so girls could learn more about career opportunities in STEM. Riley Morgenthaler from Morrison, Conifer High School, created Creativity Tool Tubs to help close the gap that students living in low-resource areas face when participating in the STEM-based activity, Destination Imagination. Sarah Nessfrom Centennial, Eaglecrest High School, hosted nearly two dozen after-school art therapy sessions to help kids at her school relieve and manage stress. Gwyneth Ormesfrom Centennial, Cherry Creek High School, organized a series of after-school workshops to teach elementary school girls Processing (a basic programming language), along with the foundational concepts of computer science. Emma Parkhurstfrom Centennial, Littleton High School, revitalized The Lions Cupboard, a local clothing closet, to make the space more accessible for families in need. Jaden Scott from Fort Collins, Fort Collins High School, partnered with BASE Camp, an after school enrichment program, to offer dance classes as an extracurricular activity. Throughout her project, she taught more than 230 children dance at elementary schools throughout the Fort Collins area. Abagail Sickingerfrom Castle Rock, Douglas County High School, developed a curriculum to help high school students get a job. Topics included: resume writing, what to wear, conducting yourself during an interview, and how to answer interview questions. Katrina Stroudfrom Boulder, Niwot High School, created an activity booklet for The Butterfly Pavilion to teach children about Monarch butterflies and bumble bees. Grayson Thomasfrom Lyons, Lyons High School, designed a mural of diverse and significant members of the STEM community for Lyons Middle/Senior High School. Lillian Tobias from Breckenridge, Summit High School, partnered with the Colorado Haiti Project and traveled to Haiti to set up an entrepreneurship program at St. Paul’s school in the rural coastal town of Petit Trou de Nippes. Marieke van Ervenfrom Brighton partnered with the Adams County Elections Department to create VOTE (Voter Outreach Through Education), which takes education about the elections department into high school government classes. Melissa Wilsonfrom Castle Rock, Castle View High School, developed several materials to educate people who can hear about how to interact with those who are deaf. Inspired by her mother’s battle with cancer, Susan Wilsonfrom Aurora, Grandview High School, created a media center for cancer patients undergoing treatment at Parker Adventist Hospital. Mihaela Zaharescu from Broomfield, Prospect Ridge Academy, worked with her school’s National Honor Society chapter to create dental care packets for children in need. She also organized a drive to collect toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash to go into the packets. 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. 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. “Earning the Girl Scout Gold Award is truly a remarkable achievement, and these young women exemplify leadership in all its forms,” said Stephanie Foote, president and chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Colorado. “They saw a need and took ownership of helping to develop a solution and took action to make it happen. Their extraordinary dedication, perseverance and leadership are making the world a better place.” Girl Scouts of Colorado will honor these Gold Award Girl Scouts as well as recipients of Girl Scouts’ other two Highest Awards, the Silver (the Highest Award a Girl Scout Cadette can earn) and Bronze (the Highest Award a Girl Scout Junior can earn), at upcoming ceremonies around the state. These events include: April 20 at 6 p.m. at Center for American Values, 101 S. Main St. #100, Pueblo April 22 at 2 p.m. Embassy Suites by Hilton, 4705 Clydesdale Pkwy, Loveland April 29 at 2 p.m. at the Denver Marriott Tech Center, 4900 S. Syracuse St., Denver May 4 at 6 p.m. at the Penrose House Garden Pavilion 1661 Mesa Ave., Colorado Springs May 6 at 2 p.m. Colorado Mesa University, 1100 North Ave., Grand Junction May 11 at 6 p.m. at Silverthorne Pavilion, 400 Blue River Pkwy, Silverthorne You can learn more about these extraordinary young women and their projects on the Girl Scouts of Colorado blog. You have permission to use the photos and biographies of any of the girls listed above in print or online publications. If you would like to interview any of these Girl Scouts about their project and the impact it had, please contact AnneMarie Harper, Girl Scouts of Colorado public relations director. #GoldAward #GSCOevents #HighestAwards #TakeAction