Auburn teens receive prestigious Girl Scout Gold Awards

Five Auburn teenagers in Girl Scout Troop 51904 were presented with Girl Scout Gold Awards last weekend.

The girls were honored at a governor's mansion reception honoring all Washington Girl Scout Gold Award recipients. Gov. Chris Gregoire was on hand to present the awards.

The five Auburn girls honored were: Alyssa Coleman (junior, Auburn Mountainview High School); Carrie Graham (junior, Auburn Mountainview); Kaylin Hulse (junior, Auburn Mountainview); Meagan Sullivan (junior, Auburn Mountainview); and Katherine Boyer (junior, Annie Wright School).

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the most prestigious award available in Girl Scouting and is only earned by girls who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to their communities and an outstanding dedication to achievement.

In order to earn the Girl Scout Gold Award, girls must first complete a series of prerequisites that take anywhere from 18 months to two years to complete. These pre-requisites are designed to give girls experiences in goal setting, leadership, career exploration and community service.

Once the prerequisites are completed, girls then submit the plan for their Girl Scout Gold Award project. Each project needs to combine their skills and their passions in unique ways that when completed will leave a lasting mark on their community. Girls then meet with members of the Gold Award Committee to get their project approved.

Because of the rigors involved in earning this highest award in Girl Scouting, only about 1 percent of Girl Scouts earn the Gold Award.

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