What did you do for your Gold Award project?
I created a relatable resource for teens that can help them take the first steps towards getting help from a professional. I vetted all the websites that I chose as resources with a pediatrician to make sure they had the correct information for teens. I then placed my cards in high school counseling departments, pediatrician offices, and a Mental Health Center of Denver.
How did you measure the impact your Gold Award project made on your target audience?
By doing a survey with people from my target audience, I was able to measure the necessity of this information. With the survey data, I was able to present the data as evidence as to why this card was important to have as a resource.
How is your project sustainable? How will your project continue to impact after your involvement?
My project is sustainable because I gave a digital copy of my card to all the places I chose. They also all have in-house printing services so that they can always make copies to continue giving out to teens in need.
What is your project’s global and/or national connection?
My national connection is the organization the places I chose belong to. The pediatricians that I contracted with want to bring my card to the national and international conferences they attend. My cards will also be distributed throughout all Mental Health Centers of Denver.
What did you learn about yourself?
I learned that I am good at leading a team, however I need to work on creating more concise timelines for projects.
How will earning your Gold Award impact you in the future?
It will let my future employers know that I am a motivated and ambitious employee. I will always be able to reference the steps I had for this project for any future work or personal project.
Why do you feel the Gold Award was an important part of your Girl Scout experience?
I feel that the Gold Award is a perfect ending to everything I learned in my 14 years of Girl Scouting. It is also a good starting point for college and starting my professional career.
How did earning your Gold Award help you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)?
I feel that I am a risk-taker because of the fragility of my chosen topic. Mental health has a fog of stigma and taboo around it. I decided to brave those stigmas to start on a pathway to normalizing mental health and mental health awareness for people my age.
**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.