29 Colorado Girl Scouts earn Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouts

Ardena Jordan, Better Sunscreen, Better World, Golden – Ardena spearheaded the Better Sunscreen Better World campaign, aimed at highlighting the detrimental effects of conventional sunscreens on ocean ecosystems, particularly coral reefs. Through a dedicated website offering guidance on eco-friendly sunscreen choices for ocean activities, alongside distributing QR code stickers linking to the site, she effectively educated and engaged her audience. Partnering with dive shops in Hawaii further expanded the campaign's reach, ensuring sustained awareness and action toward protecting marine environments.

Katherine Knapp, Band Building Blocks, Steamboat Springs – As a musician herself, Katherine noticed an issue in her community with middle schoolers being asked to sign up for band without prior exposure to instruments at school. To address this, she formed a volunteer group of high school musicians who go to the local middle school and introduce various instruments to prospective fifth graders. The program is a success, and the middle school students enjoyed the experience, fostering a positive association with music and encouraging greater participation in high school band.

Miriam Koller, Solitary Bee Habitats, Evergreen – Miriam’s project aimed to combat the declining population of solitary bees due to habitat destruction by raising awareness about their importance as pollinators and the threats to their habitats. The focus was on creating new habitats for solitary bees in the community and educating gardeners about the mutual benefits for gardens and bees. This involved building and installing bee habitats alongside an awareness campaign to engage and mobilize the community toward conservation efforts.

Catherine LaRock, BLT for the Wilderness, Steamboat Springs – For her project, Catherine developed a program aimed at educating kids in her community on first aid and Leave No Trace principles in the wilderness, recognizing that limited knowledge in these areas often deters outdoor activities. She tackled the issue of access by implementing her outlined curriculum at the local Boys and Girls Club, providing hands-on instruction to fourth graders. Through this initiative, she empowered children with essential skills and knowledge to safely enjoy outdoor adventures while fostering environmental stewardship.

Jacey LaRock, Just Have Confidence, Steamboat Springs – Jacey aimed to tackle the challenges of low self-esteem and confidence among younger children, particularly those who are influenced by unrealistic beauty standards on social media. To address this, she developed and presented a comprehensive curriculum focusing on self-care practices, confidence-building exercises, and the importance of giving and receiving compliments. Her initiative culminated in delivering the program to local fourth graders, and she has provided the curriculum to the school for use in future classes.

Louise Larsen, Music on the Spectrum, Longmont – For her project, she sought to facilitate music immersion for students on the autism spectrum in a calming and less overwhelming manner, recognizing the limited availability of music programs tailored to neurodivergent individuals due to resource constraints. To address this gap, she developed a comprehensive program containing various strategies such as games and lessons, which she implemented herself at Niwot Elementary School and distributed to educators to raise awareness about music education for children with autism.

Amelia Lineberger, Building a Legacy of Literacy, Commerce City – For her project, Amelia tackled the issue of book deserts and the scarcity of literary resources for families in her community. She compiled a detailed guide of local resources and organized a scavenger hunt at the local library, which will be an ongoing initiative. Additionally, she crafted book bags for Southeast Elementary School, which will continue to be distributed to students. Her efforts aim to improve access to reading materials and promote literacy within the community.

Alexa Marshall, Giving is Golden – Food Scarcity Awareness, Milliken – Alexa’s project addressed food scarcity in her community through awareness campaigns, a successful local food drive, and the establishment of an emergency mini pantry at her local YMCA. The food drive amassed more than 700 pounds of donations, all of which were contributed to the Weld Food Bank for distribution. The emergency pantry remains a crucial resource for providing immediate food assistance to those in need, showcasing her commendable efforts in rallying community support to combat food insecurity effectively.

Emily Michel, Barefoot Sensory Path, Centennial – Aiming to cater to the sensory processing needs of elementary students with special needs, Emily developed a portable barefoot sensory path for her project. The portability enables its utilization across various schools and environments, indoors or outdoors. Delivered along with a care kit and instruction manual to the Aurora Public School District, it serves as a resource for teachers to address students' sensory difficulties, significantly enhancing their support options.

Alexa Moss, School Skill Tips, Littleton – Alexa’s project tackled the challenge of students lacking essential skills for academic success, exacerbated by the pandemic. To address this, she crafted a curriculum centered on healthy habits, incorporating academic and social-emotional topics via video modules. Her program serves as a resource for students to cultivate motivation, combat procrastination, and hone fundamental study skills. The curriculum is now integrated into her school's educational framework through a lasting partnership with the National Honor Society.

Emma Rose Perkins, Paws of the Community, Aurora – Emma Rose noticed that, despite existing stations pet waste stations in her community, there was an issue of dog waste littering public spaces because the number of pet waste stations had not kept pace with the area’s population growth. To address this issue, she initiated partnerships with ColoradoScapes and the Tollgate Crossing Metro District to secure funding and support for several new waste stations. Their collaboration resulted in the donation of new stations, assistance with installation, and a commitment to ongoing maintenance and restocking, effectively addressing the problem and enhancing community cleanliness.

Reagan Petitt, Engaging with Nature, Highlands Ranch – Reagan collaborated with Craig Hospital to implement an outdoor education program aimed at patients and their families. The program focuses on the significance of outdoor activities and intentional time spent in nature, particularly for those with traumatic brain injuries. She also integrates lessons about the vital role of pollinators, fostering a deeper understanding of ecological interconnectedness among participants. By partnering with the hospital, she promotes the benefits of outdoor experiences in rehabilitation and overall well-being.