South County Girl Scouts Earn Esteemed Gold Award

Irvine, California (March 10, 2020) - Girl Scouts builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. The Girl Scout Gold Award is the pinnacle of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, and it’s available exclusively to Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors (9-12 grade). Today, Girl Scouts of Orange County recognizes five San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano Girl Scouts who earned the Gold Award in 2019.

Girl Scouts of Orange County CEO Vikki Shepp shared: "We are so proud of what these remarkable young women have accomplished. They are problem-solvers who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership to change their community and our world forever. They are poised to continue creating groundbreaking solutions long into the future.”

2019 Gold Award Girl Scouts

Catherine Petersen (18) – San Juan Capistrano, Troop 528

Project Title: Connecting Kids with Wildlife

Catherine created two interactive, educational exhibits for the Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary to encourage kids to appreciate and care for southern California wildlife, conserve natural resources, and reduce consumption. The first exhibit, "Wildlife," is made of sustainable wood and includes 9 different compartments with information about nature

“I met with local biologists and environmental educators to design a project that would blend my love for wildlife and desire to promote the conservation of natural resources. Human activities and consumption can impact plants, animals, and entire ecosystems. My Gold Award focused on motivating kids to protect wildlife and make changes in their daily life. I plan to continue on this quest as I pursue a degree in Zoology at Oregon State University.”

Shelby Tarnow (17) – San Clemente, Troop 1510

Project Title: Safe and Fun Exercises for Little People

After having back surgery, Shelby, a Little Person (LP), struggled to find exercises to help strengthen her body and regain balance. To fill this need and help other LP’s, she worked with Dustin Hancock, PT, DPT, and Dr. Vance Tammen, Department Chair of Kinesiology at Concordia University in Irvine to create, demonstrate, and distribute an exercise program and video specifically for the needs of Little People. Shelby also presented the program to the Executive Board and Medical Board for Little People of America (LPA). Additionally, she hosted a workshop at the LPA National Convention, where her video was introduced to thousands of LP’s.

“Throughout my project, I had to continually make changes. I learned that you have to be flexible and patient. You also do not have to do everything yourself and using a professional can make things easier. It's also best to have a good team to work with so there are many people to help with decisions. Lastly, setting smaller goals can help you to stay motivated so having a good plan before you start is important.”

Hannah Carter (18) – San Clemente, Troop 1510

Project Title: Shorecliffs Middle School Organics Recycling Demonstration Project

Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) had a recycling problem: It wasn’t separating organics from solid waste. Hannah, passionate about recycling and bothered by all the school trash going into landfills, introduced a recycling demonstration project at Shorecliffs Middle School in San Clemente. She taught over 700 students about organics and mixed recycling at the lunch tables. Hannah worked with the City of San Clemente, wrote a grant, shot a training video, and enlisted the help of student leaders to implement the project at the school. CUSD is looking to expand this project to other school sites, impacting 54,000 students.

“I learned that what may seem like a simple idea (starting a recycling project at a school) is not simple at all. I discovered adults get very excited when presented with an innovative idea coming from youth and are willing to change their minds. Earning my Gold Award was a great experience; my communication skills improved and this will serve me well as a leader now and in the future.”

Kayleigh Cassidy (18) – San Clemente, Troop 1510

Project Title: San Clemente High School Special Needs Garden

Kayleigh created a science garden for the special needs class at San Clemente High School. The wheelchair-accessible garden allows students with special needs to extend their curriculum beyond the classroom and gives them a hands-on, comprehensive education. Kayleigh met with the special needs program director and San Clemente High School principal to plan the project and worked alongside volunteers and business owners to create it. The science garden requires little maintenance and can be used for years to come and can be replicated at other schools.

“By working with volunteers, students with special needs, and business owners in the community, I learned valuable people skills and strengthened my planning and communication skills. Earning my Gold Award helped me become a stronger leader, and I learned how to make something that long outlasts my involvement and will have a genuine positive impact on the community.”

Michaela Sampson (18) – San Clemente, Troop 168

Project Title: Saddleback Valley Christian High School’s Service Club

Michaela worked with OC Special Spokes

“I gained valuable leadership, organizational, interpersonal and communication skills. I learned many individuals with special needs lack financial means and access to recreational activities. I also learned it is not easy to encourage high school students to follow through, but even a few students can make a big difference. Earning my Gold Award showed me I can solve many different community issues, while helping a lot of people reach their own personal, health and fitness goals.”

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the mark of the truly remarkable—proof that not only can she make a difference, but that she already has.

To earn the Gold Award, Girl Scouts typically spend one to two years exploring the root cause of a local or global issue (such as poverty, education, or the environment) and partner with the community to create lasting solutions.

Girl Scouts who earn the Gold Award distinguish themselves in the college admission process and receive scholarships from colleges and universities across the country. In addition, Gold Award Girl Scouts who join the military are eligible to enlist at a higher pay grade.

Over the years, nearly 3,000 Orange County Girl Scouts have earned this highest award. In 2019, 105 Orange County Girl Scouts have joined this sisterhood of Gold Award Girl Scouts.

To learn more about Orange County’s Gold Award Girl Scouts visit girlscoutsoc.org/goldaward.

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About the Girl Scout Gold Award

Gold Award Girl Scouts don’t just change the world for the better, they change it for good. The Gold Award is earned by girls in grades 9–12 who demonstrate extraordinary leadership in developing sustainable solutions to local, national, and global challenges. Since 1916, Girl Scouts have answered the call to drive lasting, impactful change. The Gold Award is the mark of the truly remarkable.

About Girl Scouts of Orange County

We are Girl Scouts of Orange County. We are 33,000 strong—nearly 20,000 girls and 13,000 adults who believe in the power of every G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ to change the world. With programs in every zip code in Orange County, Girl Scouts offers every girl opportunities to practice a lifetime of leadership, adventure, and success. To volunteer, reconnect, donate, or join, visit girlscoutsoc.org.