Boca Raton and Delray Beach Girl Scouts Recognized for Community Impact with Gold Award
Two Girl Scouts from Boca Raton and Delray Beach have been awarded the Gold Award for their projects addressing heart disease education and Asian representation in media, showcasing their leadership and commitment to community improvement.
The Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor achievable by Girl Scout seniors and ambassadors, has been awarded to Lilly Nguyen of Boca Raton and Ronica Deshmukh of Delray Beach for their exceptional projects aimed at creating lasting change in their communities. Their achievements highlight the significant impact young individuals can have on addressing real-world challenges.
Lilly Nguyen's project, 'Heart to Heart,' tackled the critical issue of heart disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S., by focusing on CPR education. Recognizing the barriers to accessing such training, Nguyen, a certified CPR instructor, provided free hands-on training to high school students and community members. Her initiative also included the creation of a website and social media platforms offering CPR tutorials and heart health tips, ensuring the longevity of her project through the training of future instructors.
Ronica Deshmukh's project, 'Shattering Stereotypes: Empowering Asian Voices in Media,' addressed the lack of representation and diversity in creative industries. By interviewing successful Asian professionals in media, including actor Rushi Kota from Netflix's 'Never Have I Ever,' Deshmukh shed light on the challenges of typecasting and the importance of authentic representation. Her efforts to share these stories through social media and her YouTube channel have sparked conversations on visibility and breaking cultural norms, inspiring future generations to pursue their creative passions.
Lisa Johnson, CEO of Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida, praised the Gold Award Girl Scouts for their insightful, impactful, and relevant projects. 'These young ladies tackle some of today's most pressing challenges with compassion, innovation, and leadership,' Johnson said. Nguyen and Deshmukh were among 27 young female leaders in the region to receive the Gold Award during the 2025 Annual Gold Award Ceremony, supported by sponsors such as Amazon, Fiserv, and Publix Super Market Charities.
The achievements of Nguyen and Deshmukh underscore the importance of youth leadership in driving community improvement and social change. Their projects not only address immediate needs but also lay the groundwork for ongoing impact, demonstrating the power of initiative and dedication in making a difference.