Four Girl Scouts from Southeast Florida Earn Prestigious Gold Award for Community Projects
Four Girl Scouts from Port St. Lucie, Palm City, and Stuart have been awarded the Gold Award for their impactful community projects addressing water safety, life skills education, food insecurity, and marine conservation.
The Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor achievable by Girl Scout seniors and ambassadors, has been awarded to four young women from Southeast Florida for their exceptional community service projects. Autumn Wilson and Michelle Donohue from Port St. Lucie, Ruby Miller from Palm City, and Hannah Stefanovic from Stuart have each demonstrated leadership and innovation through their initiatives aimed at solving pressing community issues.
Autumn Wilson's project, "Safe Aquatics for Everyone", focused on drowning prevention by enhancing water safety education. Wilson organized a Water Safety Expo and collaborated with local organizations to distribute educational materials, making a lasting impact on her community's awareness of water safety.
Michelle Donohue addressed the gap in life skills education with her project, "Skills for Success", by creating a free website that serves as a digital learning hub for essential life skills. Her initiative has already helped over 100 users gain confidence and independence in managing daily life challenges.
Ruby Miller's "Gardening for Good" project transformed a neglected garden into a source of fresh produce for a local soup kitchen, while also educating the community on food justice and sustainability. Her efforts have fostered a sense of community and empowerment among participants.
Hannah Stefanovic's "Marine Education to Improve Our Florida Waterways" project aimed to protect Florida's waterways through an educational campaign. By installing QR-coded signs and developing a website, Stefanovic has encouraged sustainable practices among boaters and raised awareness about marine conservation.
These projects exemplify the Girl Scouts' commitment to creating positive change in their communities. Lisa Johnson, CEO of Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida, praised the recipients for their compassion, innovation, and leadership. The Gold Award not only recognizes their achievements but also highlights the potential of young women to address and solve real-world problems.