Four South Florida Girl Scouts Earn Prestigious Gold Award for Community Impact Projects
Four Girl Scouts from Parkland and Coral Springs have been awarded the Gold Award for their innovative projects addressing human trafficking, mental health, stress management, and gender stereotypes in STEM.
Eliani Carr-Betts, Maha Siddiqui, Emma Solsona from Parkland, and Ava Palazzolo from Coral Springs have each received the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor for Girl Scouts in grades nine through 12. Their projects have made significant contributions to their communities by tackling pressing issues with creativity and leadership.
Eliani Carr-Betts focused on raising awareness about human trafficking in Broward County, a region with the second-highest number of cases in Florida. Her multifaceted approach included managing a social media campaign, organizing the A21 Walks for Freedom, and collaborating with organizations like Polaris and the Nancy J. Cotterman Center to educate and protect vulnerable populations.
Maha Siddiqui addressed the mental health crisis among teenagers, particularly in the wake of the 2018 Parkland school shooting. Her online resource, developed with a licensed psychiatrist, offers valuable information on anxiety and depression, reaching over 140 visitors within two weeks of launch and receiving positive feedback for its impact.
Emma Solsona's project, 'Minds Matter,' created a school-based club to help students manage stress through mindfulness and peer support. The initiative includes 'Brain Bins' with fidget toys for classroom use and a website to guide others in starting similar clubs, ensuring the project's longevity.
Ava Palazzolo challenged gender stereotypes with 'A Girls Guide to Power Tools,' a video series and live demonstrations aimed at empowering girls to confidently use power tools and consider careers in STEM fields. Her work has been featured at events like General Contractors Career Day and FAU High School's STEM labs.
These young women were among 27 Gold Award recipients in the region, recognized at the 2025 Annual Gold Award Ceremony. Their projects exemplify the Girl Scouts' commitment to fostering leadership and making a positive difference in the world. For more information on the Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida, visit https://www.gssef.org.