From the Desk of the CEO Dear Girl Scouts and Families, Congratulations to our Silver, Silver Trefoil and Gold Award Girl Scouts. This Award Yearbook reflects the amazing work of the class of 2015. Achievement in Girl Scouting demonstrates to colleges, employers, and the community that you are a leader, making positive and lasting change in the world. In Girl Scouting, girls progress through each level. They learn new skills and grow in confidence. Leadership is a vital part of every level, and for many this is demonstrated through community service. Nowhere do the two (service and leadership) come together more meaningfully than in our high awards. This is why we are proud to be the best leadership development program for girls in the nation. If you have ever wondered if one person can make a difference, I would suggest you read the fantastic Gold Award projects in this book. I am thoroughly impressed by the quality and creativity reflected in this year’s Gold Award projects, from protecting the environment and endangered species to capturing the stories of residents at a nursing home. This year, 196 Girl Scouts from our Council have reached the highest pinnacle in Girl Scouting, earning the Gold Award. They are amongst an accomplished group of women who, since 1916, have earned Girl Scouts’ highest award. Over the years, the award’s name has changed, from the Golden Eagle of Merit, the Golden Eaglet, First Class and Curved Bar to the Gold Award. Though the name has changed, the focus remains constant, using skills learned in Girl Scouting to improve the lives of others. Congratulations to all of our Gold Award Girl Scouts, a bright future lies ahead! Girl Scout Cadettes, grades six through eight, look around their schools and neighborhoods and wonder—how can I make it better? They develop a project, organize a team and put their project into action. The Silver Award is our pipeline to the Gold Award. With encouragement from parents and troop advisors, these girls can go on to earn the Gold Award and the potential to earn one of our Council’s Gold Award scholarships. We know that these girls, 884 Girl Scouts strong, have already demonstrated leadership and passion for their community, and we applaud their efforts. Through the stewardship of Girl Scout leaders, volunteers, parents and staff, 171 Girl Scouts earned the Silver Trefoil Award. The Silver Trefoil Award is unique to Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital and is awarded to Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors who make the world a better place, through a minimum of 100 hours of service in three categories: Girl Scout Community, National, and Global. Collectively, these Girl Scouts dedicated over 17,000 hours to community service. Congratulations. I would like to thank our entire Girl Scout family, our leaders, parents, funders and staff for supporting our Girl Scouts, and helping to set them on a path to a bright future. Our Girl Scouts will join a powerful network of 59 million Girl Scout alumnae, 75 percent of the women in the U.S. Senate, 54 percent of the women in the House of Representatives and every female U.S. Secretary of State—all proud Girl Scout alumnae. As we prepare for the 100th anniversary of our highest award, the Gold Award, in 2016, I look forward to celebrating this milestone with you. Congratulations,
Lidia Soto-Harmon CEO, Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital Proud mother of a Gold Award Girl Scout