2025 Gold Award Ceremony and Celebration by Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida

Girl Scout Promise

On my honor , I WILL TRY: to serve GOD and MY COUNTRY, to HELP people AT ALL TIMES, and to live by the GIRL SCOUT LAW.

Girl Scout Law

I will do my best to be HONEST and FAIR, FRIENDLY and HELPFUL, CONSIDERATE and CARING, COURAGEOUS and STRONG, and RESPONSIBLE for what I SAY and DO, and to RESPECT MYSELF and OTHERS, RESPECT AUTHORITY, use RESOURCES WISELY, make the WORLD a BETTER PLACE, and be a SISTER to every GIRL SCOUT.

Girl Scout Mission

GIRL SCOU TING BUILDS girls of courage, confidence and character , who make the world a better place.

Program

8:00 A.M.

Registration, Networking, Photography & Retail Store Open, Lobby

9:00 A.M.

Pledge of Allegiance and Girl Scout Promise

Opening Remarks

Recognition of Gold Award Advisors

Gold Award Ceremony

Scholarship Presentations

Closing Remarks

11:30 A.M.

Class of 2025 Group Photos, Main Stage

Retail Store Open, Lobby

SPECIAL THANKS

Samantha White, 2023 Gold Award Girl Scout

Addison White, Troop 20570

Caitlin O’Sullivan, Troop 20816

Isabella Mora, Troop 10710

Tula Hudson-Miller, Chair, GSSEF Board of Directors

Christine and Logan Seal, You are My Sunshine Scholarship

Jennifer and Tony Montalto, Gina Rose Montalto Memorial Foundation

Zaida Alvarez, Angélica Arias and Juan Carlos Arias, The ECHO Scholarship

Posting photos today? Share them on social media and use #GSSEF and #GoldAward

More than 100 Years of Extraordinary Projects from Amazing Girl Scouts.

Starting in 1916, the best and brightest Girl Scouts have undertaken projects to improve their communities — and the world! The Golden Eaglet insignia, the highest award in Girl Scouts from 1916 to 1939, marked the beginning of a long tradition of recognizing the extraordinary efforts of trail-blazers. From 1940 to 1963, this achievement was rebranded as the Curved Bar Award and remained the highest honor in Girl Scouts. From 1963 to 1980, the highest award was rebranded again as the First Class. Finally, in 1980, the Gold Award was established and has inspired girls to find the greatness inside themselves and to share their ideas and passions ever since.

In 2016, in celebration of its centennial, Girl Scouts of the USA recommitted itself to expanding the visibility of the Gold Award and the Girl Scouts who achieve it. To that end, Girl Scouts of the USA invited all women who earned the Golden Eaglet, Curved Bar Award, and First Class to unite as Gold Award Girl Scouts, and with this one name, further strengthening our brand and our movement.

In 2018, Girl Scouts of the USA and LinkedIn launched the Girl Scout Network. This opportunity invites our organization’s more than 50 million Girl Scout alums to connect with one another on the Girl Scout Network to enhance their career development among the 1.2 billion LinkedIn users. Any girl who was a member may join — whether she was a member for a short period of time or stayed in a troop through 12th grade. Yes, there is a special built-in option for Girl Scouts who have earned the Gold Award, to add it to their LinkedIn profile.

About The Girl Scout Gold Award

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest award that a Girl Scout in grades 9–12 may earn. Someone once described the Gold Award as being “what you really want to be remembered for” in Girl Scouting. For many, the leadership and organizational skills, and sense of community and commitment that come from “going for the Gold” set the foundation for a lifetime of active citizenship. It is the most impressive and important award that any high school student can earn – anywhere.

About The Gold Award Project

The Gold Award project is something that a Girl Scout is passionate about — in thought, deed, and action. The project fulfills a need within a girl’s community (whether local, national, or global), creates change, and becomes sustainable. If it is an event, the event should be something that people will continue; if it is a service, it should be something that creates change or action with long-term possibilities; if it is something tangible, it should come with a plan for use and maintenance and longevity. Undertaking a Gold Award project is far more than just a nice service project. Gold Award projects demand the highest level of communication, leadership, and project management skills.

About The Gold Award Advisors

The role of the council’s volunteer Gold Award Advisors is to guide, coach, and provide well-rounded support to individual girls as they work on their Gold Award project plan. Our Advisors make a time commitment to a girl, agreeing to support her from the point of project approval through project completion. These volunteers demonstrate an incredibly high level of dedication as they nurture a mentoring relationship that promotes girls’ success in leadership, communication, goal-setting, problem-solving, and project fulfillment. Once the Gold Award project has been completed, only the Gold Award Advisor provides the final approval.

Gold Award Advisors have a full working knowledge of the GSUSA Award framework, as well as the GSSEF Award guidelines, policies, and procedures. They are flexible, organized, and creative as they bring their individual patience, persistence, and passion to work with girls.

Our Gold Award Advisors

Ahlam “Lammy” Askar

Karyl Bertram

Sandra Clutter

Julia Dourvetakis

Tracey Eller

Paula Fontaine

Debbie Hanley

Merribeth Manning

Dr. Nazly Nardi

Tori-Lynn Saraniti

Kimberly Schnitzius

Joyce Shraim

Jaleesa Smith

Melanie Smith

Emily Zarzycki

Dear Girl Scout Gold Award Class of 2025,

Congratulations on earning the Girl Scout Gold Award! The world around us is constantly changing, yet even as we face challenges, I am impressed at your poise, passion, and sense of purpose. I see the determination and creativity that lives inside of you, and I am incredibly proud of your accomplishments. You have made us so proud!

This year, 27 Girl Scouts earned our organization’s highest award for girls in our council. Perhaps even more impressive is that your collective projects contributed more than 2,500 hours into our communities. You partnered with dozens of local organizations with projects that impacted thousands of lives. The Gold Award Class of 2025 addressed issues surrounding mental health awareness, human trafficking, food insecurity, environmental sustainability, water safety, and expanded on critical conversations about facing difficult medical diagnoses and detrimental cultural stereotyping. Most people would be shocked to learn that high school students are tackling such transformative topics, but our Girl Scouts didn’t just talk about improving a situation – you made plans, built teams, stuck it out, and really made our world a better place.

Becoming a Gold Award Girl Scout marks an important milestone in your Girl Scout career. The same vision, commitment, and leadership that brought you through the Gold Award process will now continue to carry you to new heights. The Gold Award will set you apart, in all the best possible ways. In addition to accomplishing a challenging personal goal, you now join an elite group of Girl Scouts who share this extraordinary distinction and honor.

As you take your next steps, to finish high school, enter college, join the military, or the workforce, I invite you to stay with Girl Scouts for a lifetime. I encourage you to revisit the drive and grit you harnessed to earn The Gold Award and hold on to the enormous feeling of accomplishment you have today. All the determination, passion, and creativity that it took to achieve this goal lives inside you. Girl Scouting gave you a place to direct it. Our world will always need people who want to make it better and Girl Scouts need people who know what that really means. We’re going to need you because you’re a change-maker, action taker, and leader! And I know this is just the beginning.

Yours in Girl Scouting,

Lisa Y. Johnson, MBA, APR Chief Executive Officer Lifetime Member

Project Title: Fix Her Gold Award Advisor: Sandra Clutter

Hometown: Palm Beach Gardens Service Unit: Jupiter

After speaking with her peers, Isabella realized that many young women were unprepared for life after high school when it came to maintaining their own living spaces. Basic tasks like hanging shelves, fixing toilets, painting walls, and changing smoke detectors were unfamiliar to many, leaving them feeling unprepared for adulthood. Additionally, with only 10% of women in the construction field, Isabella saw an opportunity to introduce girls to an industry where they are underrepresented. Isabella created a series of instructional videos demonstrating how to complete common household repairs. These videos serve as a lasting educational resource, allowing girls to learn and develop practical skills at their own pace. She also created the “Fix-Her” Instagram account to share repair tutorials and career insights, ensuring continued access to learning opportunities. As a culminating activity, participants applied their new skills by building benches, which were donated to a local high school’s special needs department. Isabella’s project continues to make an impact by providing lasting educational resources that equip young women with the knowledge and confidence to manage home repairs independently.

ELIANI CARR-BETTS TROOP 10151

Project Title: Awareness of Human Trafficking

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Broward County Gold Award Advisor: Lammy Askar

Hometown: Parkland Service Unit: Everglades

Broward County ranks second in Florida for the highest number of human trafficking cases. Understanding that education is key to prevention, Eliani dedicated her Gold Award project to raising awareness and equipping young people with the knowledge and confidence to protect themselves. Many victims of human trafficking, particularly minors, do not recognize they are being trafficked due to manipulation and dependence on their traffickers. To address this crisis, Eliani took action in several ways: she managed a social media presence to spread awareness, organized the 2023 and 2024 A21 Walks for Freedom—an event led by A21, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting human trafficking—attended networking events with key stakeholders, and incorporated awareness efforts such as the Red Sand Project. She also developed programs to equip young people with self-esteem and knowledge to reduce their vulnerability. Working closely with Judge Ross’s Broward County RISE court, she provided selfesteem-building cards to girls at risk of exploitation. Eliani further strengthened her outreach by compiling and sharing victims’ stories, leading educational presentations, and collaborating with organizations like Polaris, A21, and the Nancy J. Cotterman Center. Her initiative continues to educate and empower individuals through her partnership with A21 Ft. Lauderdale, establishment of a graduation honors cord program to encourage volunteerism, and delegation of social media management to dedicated youth advocates.

RONICA DESHMUKH TROOP 24529

Project Title: Shattering Stereotypes: Empowering Asian Voices in Media Gold Award Advisor: Sandra Clutter

Hometown: Delray Beach

Service Unit: Sunchariot

Many young children, especially those in the Asian community, often lack role models who look like them in mainstream media. Additionally, in many Asian cultures, careers in journalism, the arts, or communications are discouraged in favor of more traditional fields like medicine or technology. Ronica’s project aimed to challenge these views and inspire both Asian youth and parents to consider creative careers as valuable and fulfilling options. To do this, Ronica interviewed successful Asians working in the media, including actors, journalists, and artists, to showcase the diverse career paths available in these fields. One of her standout interviews was with Rushi Kota, a Netflix actor known for his role in Never Have I Ever. Through these interviews, Ronica highlighted the challenges of typecasting in the industry, where Asian characters are often confined to one-dimensional roles, such as doctors, cab drivers, or token best friends. By sharing these stories, she showed that Asian professionals deserve to be the main characters in their own stories, beyond stereotypical roles. Ronica shared these interviews on social media to spark conversations about better representation and to encourage others to pursue their passions without fear of judgment. Her project will continue to thrive through a dedicated YouTube channel, where the interviews will remain accessible for ongoing learning and inspiration.

Project Title: Shark-In-A-Box

Gold Award Advisor: Lammy Askar

Hometown: Weston Service Unit: Royal Palm

Sharks are often misunderstood as mindless predators, leading to fear-based perceptions and harmful practices that contribute to the killing of nearly 100 million sharks annually. Through her project, Shark-in-a-Box, Sophia set out to transform these misconceptions into curiosity, awareness, and advocacy for shark conservation. She designed each Shark-in-a-Box kit to feature a comprehensive curriculum tailored to different grade levels, ensuring age-appropriate engagement. Each lesson covered shark anatomy, their ecological significance, common myths, and the real threats they face. What made this program stand out was its interactive approach, such as using sandpaper to simulate the texture of shark skin and measuring tapes to recreate the process of scientific tagging. This immersive learning helped replace fear with understanding and respect. Sophia distributed these kits to six elementary schools and her local Girl Scout service unit. The impact of Shark-in-a-Box was immediate and profound. Post-lesson surveys revealed that 100% of participants gained new knowledge, and nearly half of those who previously feared sharks developed a newfound appreciation for them. By empowering the next generation with knowledge and curiosity, Shark-in-a-Box is helping to shift the narrative— showing that sharks aren’t monsters to be feared, but vital creatures that deserve protection.

HANNAH DICKINSON TROOP 12112

Project Title: Kindness Counts

Gold Award Advisor: Melanie Smith

Hometown: Port Charlotte Service Unit: Sandy Beaches

Harmful graffiti and derogatory messages create an unwelcoming environment for students in school bathrooms. Hannah recognized that these messages, often targeting specific individuals, contribute to anxiety, low self-esteem, and a toxic school culture. Rather than allowing these words to continue harming her peers, Hannah sought to create a space that promoted kindness, encouragement, and positivity. To achieve this, she worked with school administrators, guidance counselors, and janitorial staff to clean the bathrooms and install murals featuring uplifting messages and vibrant artwork. These murals served as daily reminders for students to support one another and reinforced the importance of self-worth. In addition to the murals, she introduced a positivity wall where students could share kind words and encouragement, further fostering a culture of inclusion and mutual respect. Hannah’s project extended beyond her school when she partnered with the district’s strategic planning committee, allowing her initiative to reach a broader audience. With strong support from school leadership, her murals and positivity wall will continue to serve as lasting reminders of the power of kindness, ensuring that future students experience a more uplifting and supportive school environment.

Project Title: What Happened to Grandma?

Gold Award Advisor: Tori-Lynn Saraniti

Hometown: Palm Beach Gardens Service Unit: Jupiter

Personal experience with Alzheimer’s disease in her own grandparents led Marina to recognize the confusion and fear that children often feel when confronted with these changes. Determined to help, she wrote a children’s book that explains the causes and symptoms of dementia in a simple, accessible way, offering guidance on how children can interact with their grandparents and continue to enjoy time with them despite the challenges the disease brings. Through her project, Marina reached her target audience of children aged 9 to 11, distributing her book to multiple locations, including libraries, schools, and memory care facilities. She also created a read-aloud video on YouTube to further extend her outreach. Marina’s project not only helped children feel more comfortable around their grandparents with dementia but also provided them with the tools to interact positively. By using pre-and-post surveys, Marina was able to measure the effectiveness of her book in educating children about dementia. The results showed that the children’s understanding increased significantly—on average, their knowledge improved from a 45% accuracy rate before reading the book to 77% after.

MARINA DIMARZIO TROOP 20682

Project Title: Skills for Success Gold Award Advisor:

Tracey Eller

Hometown: Port St. Lucie Service Unit: Gemini

The lack of life skills education among teens and young adults is an issue that has become more prominent in recent years due to the removal of classes like home economics, cooking, and financial literacy from schools. Knowing that these skills are crucial for independent living and can significantly impact young people’s ability to navigate adult life successfully, Michelle created a free online resource—a website offering lessons in key life skills that are often overlooked in traditional school curricula. The website covers topics such as home maintenance, automotive servicing, and financial management, all essential skills for young people to become more independent and self-sufficient. Michelle also included additional resources for users to deepen their knowledge and improve their preparedness for adulthood. Her project reached over 100 individuals, meeting her goal for viewership and demonstrating that the website was an effective tool for teaching life skills. Survey feedback indicated that visitors found the content useful and accessible, with many planning to refer back to the website in the future. The website’s longevity ensures that it will remain a valuable resource for future generations, and Michelle’s ability to update and maintain it means it can continue to evolve as needed.

LILLY GONZALEZ TROOP 10302

Project Title: Garden of Growth Gold Award Advisor: Tracey Eller

Hometown: Fort Lauderdale Service Unit: Orange Blossom

Recognizing the significant environmental, economic, and social consequences of food waste in her community, Lilly understood the need for education and action to raise awareness and provide practical solutions. She identified key factors contributing to the problem, such as consumer habits, confusion over expiration dates, and the rejection of “imperfect” produce. Additionally, she highlighted the impact of excessive food waste in restaurants and supermarkets, as well as the environmental harm caused by discarded food decomposing in landfills. To address these issues, Lilly built a self-sustaining compost bin at First Presbyterian Church and educated preschoolers, church members, and event organizers about food waste and composting. Through interactive presentations, engaging children’s books, and hands-on activities like “compost cups,” she helped participants understand how composting can reduce waste and benefit the environment. She also trained kitchen volunteers at her church on composting best practices and worked with them to establish a system for donating excess food to a local soup kitchen. Through her educational guide on composting, trained volunteers, and a partnership with Feeding South Florida to promote ongoing food redistribution efforts, Lilly’s project continues to make an impact in her community.

Project Title: South Florida Pet Safety Gold Award Advisor: Julia Dourvetakis

Hometown: Weston

Service Unit: Royal Palm

After discovering a gap in resources available to pet owners on how to keep their pets safe from dangers such as alligators, bufo toads, extreme heat, and hurricanes, Annie decided to create a comprehensive pet safety book that would serve as a valuable resource for local communities. To develop her book, Annie conducted extensive research, reviewing over fifty articles and consulting with experts like Dr. Cynthia Rodgers from the Humane Society of Broward County. She structured the book into four key chapters which offer practical advice on recognizing, preventing, and responding to pet safety threats. Annie also incorporated feedback from a professional writer and a graphic designer, as well as survey responses, to refine the content and make it accessible to a wide audience. Through her fundraising efforts, Annie was able to print 500 copies of the book, far exceeding her initial goal of 100. Of these, 470 copies were donated to the Humane Society of Broward County to be distributed with pet adoptions, and 30 were given to local sponsors. She also created a QR code accessible digital version of the book which was given to local pet-friendly businesses. In addition to her book, Annie used social media to share safety tips and reminders, and handed out flyers at local events, reaching hundreds of pet owners. Her efforts have led to the founding of a Pre-Vet Club at her school, which invites guest speakers and fosters interest in veterinary careers.

ELLEN HUANG ADULT, FORMERLY OF TROOP 10188

Project Title: EcoCrafts Campaign: A Sustainable Future Gold Award Advisor: Kimberly Schnitzius

Hometown: Cooper City Service Unit: Magnolia

Every day, significant amounts of food are discarded in schools, homes, restaurants, and throughout the food production process. When food waste ends up in landfills, it contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, air and water pollution, and the loss of valuable land that could be used for conservation or other beneficial purposes. In addition to harming the environment, food waste creates economic strain and raises the cost of fresh food. Ellen recognized the need to educate others on the consequences of food waste and encourage more sustainable habits. To do so, she launched an educational campaign that included interactive workshops for children and a digital platform to reach teens and adults. She hosted workshops at Hawkes Bluff Elementary School and Camp Live Oak, where children learned about food waste and participated in hands-on crafts designed to reduce waste, such as making reusable grocery bags, fabric food storage covers, and egg carton vegetable gardens. For a broader audience, Ellen created a website and social media page (@ecocraftscampaign), which provided information on food waste, sustainable habits, and DIY tutorials for repurposing everyday items. Through her campaign, she educated others on meal planning, composting, proper food storage, and other practical steps to minimize food waste. Ellen’s project continues to make an impact through her website and social media, which serve as lasting resources for individuals looking to reduce their environmental footprint.

CLAIRE-ANYA LIKHACHYOV TROOP 10707

Project Title: S.T.E.M. MENTORS CLUB & “Girls Can S.T.E.M.” a Virtual S.T.E.M. CAREER SYMPOSIUM for Girls

Gold Award Advisor: Melanie Smith

Hometown: Davie Service Unit: Atikah

Claire-Anya recognized that a lack of female role models and early support often leads to decreased interest and self-assurance in these subjects. To change this, Claire-Anya founded S.T.E.M. MENTORS, a club at her high school that connects younger students with older peers who provide guidance, encouragement, and academic help. Through this initiative, Claire-Anya and her team offered free math tutoring, organized engaging educational events, and developed a Virtual Career Symposium featuring professionals from various technical fields. By sharing their own experiences, the high school mentors helped younger students build perseverance and confidence. The program also introduced participants to robotics and hands-on problemsolving, leading to a noticeable shift in their enthusiasm and willingness to explore these career paths. Surveys conducted at meetings confirmed increased knowledge, interest, and motivation among attendees. To ensure the longevity of her project, Claire-Anya successfully established S.T.E.M. MENTORS as a SWENext (Society of Women Engineers) charter club, giving future members access to valuable resources and networking opportunities.

MIA MEDRANO TROOP 10188

Project Title: Managing Mangroves

Gold Award Advisor: Tori-Lynn Saraniti

Hometown: Davie Service Unit: Magnolia

Mangroves play a critical role in Florida’s ecosystem and the threats they face. Through her research, Mia explored the impacts of climate change, coastal development, and pollution on mangrove habitats, highlighting how their destruction not only harms the environment but also disrupts marine life and the health of local waterways. Recognizing that a lack of education and awareness contributed to mangrove degradation, Mia used her project to demonstrate how small actions can make a big difference. She filmed herself paddleboarding through local neighborhoods, picking up trash and showing the harmful effects of pollution on mangrove habitats. Her videos highlighted how everyday behaviors, like improper waste disposal, can contribute to the destruction of these vital ecosystems. By sharing her efforts with the community, Mia sparked a conversation about the importance of mangroves and how residents can actively protect them. Through her YouTube channel, Mia’s work reached local residents, inspiring many to adopt more sustainable practices. Her videos, along with her partnership with MangroLife, will continue to educate and engage future generations of volunteers, ensuring the long-term impact of her project.

Project Title: Gardening for Good: Soup Kitchen Garden Gold Award Advisor: Lammy

Askar

Hometown: Palm City Service Unit: Sea Star

Recognizing that access to fresh, nutritious ingredients can be limited for those relying on meal services, Ruby designed and built three garden beds to provide herbs and vegetables for the soup kitchen at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Palm City. Beyond improving the quality of food served, the garden also fosters a sense of community, giving volunteers, church members, and soup kitchen guests an opportunity to connect through gardening and shared meals. Ruby led a team of 20 volunteers in constructing the garden from scratch—removing rotted beds, installing new wooden planters, setting up an irrigation system, and planting a diverse selection of vegetables and herbs. She also conducted tours and educational sessions, raising awareness about food insecurity and the impact of sustainable food sources. Surveys showed that more than half of participants gained a deeper understanding of the issue by the end of their sessions. By inviting soup kitchen clients to participate in maintaining the garden, she fostered a sense of empowerment and connection to the meals they receive. The church and soup kitchen volunteers have committed to sustaining the garden, ensuring that it continues to provide fresh produce and a welcoming space for education and service.

MAILEE MINITELLO TROOP 20403

Project Title: Mind Your Faith: Creating the Bridge from Struggle to Success Gold Award Advisor: Tracey Eller

Hometown: Royal Palm Beach Service Unit: Phoenix

The impact of social media, isolation during the COVID-19 lockdown, and the pressure of societal expectations, combined with other challenges, has led to an increase in mental health struggles like anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and social isolation among young people. Mailee recognized the urgent need to create an outlet where these topics could be discussed openly and with understanding, which led her to create a podcast and YouTube series that featured guests sharing their personal stories of overcoming mental health challenges with the help of their faith. Each episode highlighted adults who had faced struggles such as anxiety, addiction, and eating disorders as teenagers, offering valuable insights from a “conqueror’s” perspective. Through her platform, Mailee aimed to help listeners feel less alone and provide them with coping mechanisms rooted in faith. With seven episodes released weekly, the series has become a meaningful resource for those seeking support and guidance. The podcast and YouTube series will remain accessible, ensuring future generations can continue to benefit from the stories and lessons shared by Mailee and her guests.

LILLY NGUYEN TROOP 24617

Project Title: Heart to Heart Gold Award Advisor: Emily Zarzycki

Hometown: Boca Raton Service Unit: Luna

With approximately 700,000 deaths in the United States annually due to heart disease, Lilly recognized the critical role CPR plays in increasing survival rates during cardiac arrest. However, many people lack confidence in their ability to perform CPR correctly or have never been trained due to financial barriers and misinformation. To bridge this gap, Lilly set out to educate her community by providing free CPR classes and spreading awareness about heart health and first aid. As a certified CPR instructor, she ensured that participants not only learned the proper techniques but also felt confident in their ability to act in an emergency. In addition to in-person training, Lilly created a website and Instagram page to serve as ongoing resources. These platforms featured step-by-step CPR tutorials, music to help learners maintain the correct tempo, and tips for leading a heart-healthy lifestyle. To ensure the longevity of her project, Lilly trained others to become CPR instructors so they could continue offering free classes in the community. Additionally, her website remains a lasting resource, providing accessible first aid education for future learners. Through her initiative, Lilly empowered people with life-saving knowledge, helping to create a safer and more prepared community.

Project Title: Looking Forward, Looking Back

Gold Award Advisor: Joyce Shraim

Hometown: Weston Service Unit: Royal Palm

Research shows that between the tween and teen years, girls’ belief that others like them drops by nearly half, with many feeling the pressure to be perfect in their appearance, academics, and hobbies. This dramatic decline in self-esteem can lead to a lack of self-confidence, making it harder for girls to embrace who they truly are. Valerie saw a pressing need to remind girls of the confidence they often lose as they age. To encourage them to reclaim it, she created a multifaceted project. She started by producing an original video that showcased high school and elementary school girls answering questions about their self-image, insecurities, and happiness. The video revealed the sharp contrast in self-perception as girls transition from the carefree confidence of youth to the more self-conscious stage of adolescence. Valerie then organized a photoshoot where high school girls paired with younger girls who resembled or shared similar characteristics with them. The photoshoot allowed older girls to reconnect with the confidence they had when they were younger. The resulting photos, full of joyful and candid moments, were compiled into a book with original text that emphasized the importance of self-acceptance and fun, rather than striving for perfection. The book has been distributed to schools across multiple states, and the video was featured at a prominent local event.

AVA PALAZZOLO TROOP 24529

Project Title: A Girl’s Guide to Power Tools

Gold Award Advisor: Debbie Hanley

Hometown: Coral Springs

Service Unit: Sunchariot

Cultural stereotypes often discourage girls from engaging with tools, leading to a significant gender gap in S.T.E.M. fields like construction and engineering. Ava recognized the importance of breaking down these barriers and empowering young girls with the skills and confidence to pursue technical fields. To tackle this issue, she created a video series focused on teaching the safe use of power tools, including impact drivers, hammer drills, and sawzalls. The videos highlighted the importance of tool safety and proper personal protective equipment (PPE). In addition to the online resources, Ava conducted in-person presentations at events such as General Contractors Career Day, FAU High School’s MATE team, and S.T.E.M. labs. These demonstrations provided hands-on instruction to girls, showing them how to use power tools in a safe and engaging way. Ava also reached out to apprentices in local trade institutes, providing valuable tool safety education to future tradespeople. Ava’s website, which hosts the video series, remains a free resource accessible to anyone interested in learning about power tools.

Project Title: Girls on the Go: Helping Teen Girls Navigate Car Care with Confidence

Gold Award Advisor: Lammy Askar

Hometown: Sunrise Service Unit: Royal Palm

Amelie recognized that many young women, especially those learning to drive or already on the road, face a significant gap in knowledge when it comes to taking care of their vehicles. Her own experience with her older sister, Elisa, highlighted this issue. Elisa often relied on their dad for car-related problems, but not all teen girls have that resource available to them. This lack of knowledge can be dangerous in emergency situations, where being unprepared can escalate the stress and risks involved. To address this, Amelie created a comprehensive car care education program designed specifically for teen girls. She organized workshops and created a pamphlet that provided step-by-step guidance on common car maintenance tasks and how to handle emergencies like flat tires or accidents. The pamphlet also included a QR code linking to online instructional videos, allowing for visual learning. In addition, Amelie developed a YouTube channel and shared her lessons across social media platforms to reach a broader audience. Through her work, she aimed to build confidence and ensure that teen girls could handle car-related situations independently and safely. The booklet and videos are available online, ensuring that future generations of teen girls will have the tools they need to stay safe and prepared. The social media presence and ongoing distribution of the materials through schools and community groups will keep the project alive and help it reach even more people.

AMELIE PRODHOMME TROOP 10088

Project Title: Let’s Get Physical! Promoting Healthy Lives and Well-Being Gold Award Advisor: Emily Zarzycki

Hometown: Southwest Ranches Service Unit: Royal Palm

Youth inactivity is a growing concern with serious physical and mental health consequences. Research shows that a lack of movement in childhood can lead to poor muscle and bone development, increased obesity risk, and even lower academic performance. With many children prioritizing school work and digital entertainment over exercise, Kylin sought to inspire them to be more active in an engaging and relatable way. She wrote a children’s book featuring short stories about kids discovering the benefits of physical activity, showing that movement can be fun and rewarding. She collaborated with a fellow Girl Scout to illustrate the book and worked with students to record audiobook versions, making her stories widely accessible on YouTube and Instagram. Kylin originally aimed to reach 75 students, but her book quickly gained traction, with nearly 200 students engaging with it in just one month. She partnered with multiple schools and organizations, far surpassing her outreach goals. Survey responses showed that 98% of students learned something new about the benefits of physical activity, and many were inspired to seek out new ways to stay active. Her creative storytelling approach helped shift perceptions, making exercise feel less like a chore and more like an exciting part of daily life. Kylin donated copies of her book to school libraries and classrooms, allowing future students to benefit from its message. Her online audiobook versions remain accessible, ensuring that children can continue to engage with her stories for years to come.

LAUREN RINELLA TROOP 10604

Project Title: BeYOUtifully Aware: Women’s Health & Cancer Prevention Gold Award Advisor: Tori-Lynn Saraniti

Hometown: Cooper City Service Unit: Magnolia

After experiencing the loss of her troop leader to cancer due to late diagnosis, Lauren recognized the need for greater education on self-care and health advocacy. Focusing on cancer prevention, early detection, and the importance of regular health screenings, Lauren organized virtual workshops with experts in Oncology, Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Nutrition. These sessions covered essential topics like self-breast exams, mammogram screenings, and how to recognize symptoms of cancer. The workshops also introduced participants to potential medical careers, opening doors for those interested in pursuing these fields. The results were impressive: participants understanding of self-breast exams increased by 81.8%, mammogram screening knowledge rose by 85.7%, and their ability to advocate for their health improved by 57.2%. Lauren made the workshops accessible to a broader audience by creating a YouTube channel. She also encouraged participants to share the information with their family and friends, helping to spread the knowledge further.

JULIA SAFF ADULT,

FORMERLY OF TROOP 10393

Project Title: Memory Lane Music Program Gold Award Advisor: Melanie Smith

Hometown: Weston Service Unit: Royal Palm

Julia discovered that loneliness among older adults is a significant health risk, linked to increased rates of death, hospitalization, and depression. The isolation faced by many elderly individuals is worsened by factors such as memory loss, chronic illnesses like dementia and Alzheimer’s, and the lack of meaningful social interaction in understaffed care facilities. To tackle this, Julia created the Memory Lane project, which provided free live music concerts for residents in nursing homes, assisted living centers, and memory care facilities. The performances featured familiar and upbeat music to help alleviate loneliness, improve memory, and encourage social engagement. Julia worked with local musicians, including high school students, to bring the concerts to life and measured the impact through audience reactions, noting improvements in emotional engagement and social interaction. The project continues through the ongoing involvement of community members and musicians. Julia has shared her steps for creating the program with others, ensuring that more high school students and groups can bring the benefits of live music to elderly residents in care facilities across the area.

ELISE SCHAUB TROOP 10080

Project Title: Building the Future Through S.T.E.M. Gold Award Advisor: Kimberly Schnitzius Hometown: Pembroke Pines Service Unit: Magnolia

Pines Middle School was at risk of closure due to low enrollment and a lack of engaging extracurricular activities. To prevent this, Elise established a robotics team, which not only sparked students’ interest in S.T.E.M. fields but also played a key role in the school avoiding closure. Elise’s efforts were part of the decision-making process that helped the school stay open and laid the groundwork for the school’s potential transformation into a Collegiate Academy. Through her robotics team, Elise introduced students to S.T.E.M. careers and fostered skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Her team participated in the First Lego League competition, where they tackled the challenge of deep-sea exploration. Students proposed the idea of underwater drones to explore oceanic depths and presented their findings at the competition. Elise also organized workshops to raise awareness about S.T.E.M. careers, leading to an increased interest in fields like biomedical and nuclear engineering. Elise’s project not only benefited her robotics team, but also inspired the creation of additional S.T.E.M.focused clubs at the school, including VEX Robotics and Sea Perch, building a strong foundation for future academic and career success.

MAHA SIDDIQUI TROOP 10096

Project

Title:

Rediscover Your Mind: Anxiety and Depression in Teenagers

Gold Award Advisor: Tori-Lynn Saraniti Hometown: Parkland Service Unit: Everglades

In high school, Maha saw firsthand how common struggles with mental health were, not only among her peers but among those who had been affected by the tragic events of the 2018 Parkland school shooting. The trauma left many students with lingering feelings of anxiety, and Maha recognized that even years later, these issues continued to impact her classmates. With this in mind, she wanted to create a space where teenagers could understand their mental health better and find ways to cope with the challenges they faced. In response, Maha designed and launched a website featuring blog posts and videos that addressed the most frequently asked questions from teenagers struggling with mental health. Collaborating with a licensed psychiatrist, Maha ensured that the content was informed and professional. Her website provided practical advice on how to recognize symptoms, understand the difference between anxiety and depression, and how to manage these feelings in healthy, constructive ways. Through this platform, Maha created an accessible, supportive space for teenagers to turn to when they needed help or simply sought more information about mental health. To ensure the site remains a continued source of support, any new questions submitted by users will be directed to the psychiatrist to be answered and posted on the website, ensuring the content remains relevant and helpful for future visitors.

EMMA

Project Title: Minds Matter

Gold Award Advisor: Kimberly Schnitzius

Hometown: Parkland Service Unit: Everglades

According to the World Health Organization, one in seven adolescents worldwide experiences a mental disorder, with depression, anxiety, and behavioral disorders ranking among the leading causes of illness and disability in young people. Seeing how school-related stress was affecting her classmates, Emma decided to create a support system within her school to promote mental well-being and provide tools for managing stress. She founded Minds Matter, a school-based club designed to educate students on mindfulness and stress management while fostering a supportive and inclusive community. The club’s motto, “Healthy minds = healthy lives,” encouraged members to prioritize their mental health through engaging activities and peer discussions. Each month, Minds Matter hosted meetings focused on various aspects of wellbeing, where students learned practical coping strategies, participated in interactive exercises, and formed meaningful connections with peers. Additionally, Emma spearheaded the creation of “Brain Bins” filled with fidget toys, which were distributed in classrooms to help students manage stress and maintain focus during school hours. Emma recruited younger students, including her sister, to continue the club’s mission after her graduation. She also developed a website (MindsMatterClubs.wordpress.com) offering guidance on how students at other schools could establish their own Minds Matter chapters.

SOLSONA TROOP 10151

Project Title: Marine Education to Improve our Florida Waterways

Gold Award Advisor: Karyl Bertram

Hometown: Stuart Service Unit: Sea Star

There is a lack of public awareness about how everyday actions impact Florida’s waterways. Through Hannah’s research, she discovered that a major root cause of this issue is the disconnect between the community and the environment. Many people are unaware of how their actions, whether small or large, contribute to the pollution and degradation of local rivers, lakes, and inlets. This lack of understanding threatens not only marine life, such as manatees and seagrasses, but also the people who rely on these waters for food and resources. Hannah worked to bridge this gap by providing accessible educational resources. She collaborated with local officials, environmental experts, and community leaders to identify ways individuals could take action. She created a website offering information on boating, water safety, and sustainability, along with QR-coded signage placed at the U.S. Sailing Center to make the content easy to access. Hannah aimed to inspire at least 100 community members to adopt small changes to protect the waterways. Feedback from surveys and conversations confirmed that many individuals had learned new information and were motivated to take action in their daily lives. Hannah’s project will continue to make an impact through her website and the durable signage that will educate future visitors to the U.S. Sailing Center.

VICTORIA

Project Title: Normalizing Medical Experiences for Children through Engaging Stories

Gold Award Advisor: Paula Fontaine

Hometown: Weston

Service Unit: Royal Palm

Victoria identified a lack of engaging and reassuring resources available to young patients, which often led to heightened fear surrounding hospital visits. While pediatricians and childlife specialists work to alleviate these concerns, Victoria saw the need for a child-friendly educational tool that could help children feel more comfortable and informed about their medical experiences. To address this issue, Victoria wrote and illustrated a children’s book featuring animated animal characters who undergo common medical procedures such as getting an IV, having blood drawn, and interacting with doctors and nurses. By using engaging storytelling and reassurance techniques recommended by a child-life specialist, her book helped young patients understand what to expect and eased their fears. Victoria donated copies of her book to hospitals locally, nationally, and internationally, including Holtz Children’s Hospital and medical centers in Peru. She also translated the book into Spanish to expand accessibility to a broader audience. Her book remains available for distribution, and she continues to receive feedback from child-life specialists to refine and expand her work.

AUTUMN WILSON TROOP 40210

Project Title: Safe Aquatics For Everyone Gold Award Advisor: Merribeth Manning

Hometown: Port St. Lucie Service Unit: Gemini

Autumn’s Gold Award project focused on preventing drowning incidents by increasing awareness and education on water safety. She organized a Water Safety Expo, where she invited local businesses and experts, including county and beach lifeguards, swim instructors, infant swimming resource instructors, and a pool fence company, to share their knowledge and services with the community. Autumn secured sponsorship from the City Manager of Fort Pierce, who provided a venue for her expo. She promoted the event through a Facebook event page and prepared goody bags with educational materials for attendees. Throughout the event, she engaged with community members, answered questions, and received feedback on the information shared. To further spread awareness, Autumn created informational handouts detailing local and national water safety resources. These were distributed to community agencies that serve children, such as the Children’s Services Council, Helping People Succeed, Boys and Girls Club, and Graceway Village. She also designed coloring pages as an interactive way for children to learn about drowning prevention. Autumn is currently working with local libraries and nonprofits to host reading sessions of Stewie the Duck Learns to Swim. Children who attend these story times will receive water safety resources to take home, reinforcing the importance of drowning prevention beyond the event.

Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida Scholarships

Our organization is a respected authority on the lives of girls – as well as their development and the issues facing their future. Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida is proud to partner with like-minded companies, foundations, and individuals who share our belief in the unlimited power of girls to make this world a better place. We work closely with community leaders so our Girl Scouts can have the opportunity to receive the financial boost they often need to turn their dreams of higher education into a reality.

Our council’s scholarship program has grown exponentially since its inception in 2008. In fact, through our ongoing relationships with generous donors, the award amounts have increased 2,500% in just 17 years. That has been translated into scholarship awards for 48 local girls who’ve set out to gain knowledge and enter the workforce, the world of parenthood, and as members of their communities with a unique set of leadership skills and civic mindedness that comes exclusively from our extraordinary Girl Scout program.

NEW for 2025

GSSEF Board of Directors Gold Award Scholarship

Inspired by girls earning the Gold Award, the GSSEF Board of Directors have launched a new Gold Award Scholarship in 2025 to recognize a Gold Award Girl Scout who embodies leadership by displaying qualities such as integrity, clear communication, accountability, vision, and self-awareness. The Board of Directors has a commitment to supporting girls who are prepared to apply the skills attained through their personal Girl Scout leadership journey to meaningful future educational pursuits.

2025 scholarship award: $2,500

Robin Trapani Memorial Girl Scout Scholarship

The Robin Trapani Memorial Scholarship was established in 2025 to honor her incredible life and love for the Girl Scout community. She was a master seamstress, with expertise in plumbing and electrical repairs. It seemed there was nothing Robin could not do or fix with her no-nonsense, can-do attitude. Beloved sister, mother, wife, and friend - Robin was generous of her time and deeds - and she is dearly missed. Her scholarship is offered to support local Girl Scouts who intend to pursue careers in vocational trades and skilled jobs that require specialized training and education, after high school.

2025 scholarship award: $2,500

You are my Sunshine Scholarship

Every girl is someone’s ray of sunlight! New in 2025, this scholarship, founded by a mother-daughter duo, recognizes a Girl Scout who has been empowered, inspired, and raised in a one-parent household. They’ve seen the courage, confidence, and character developed through Girl Scouting – paired with the special bond formed in a one-parent household – be a powerful combination for personal growth and success!

2025 scholarship award: $2,500

Barbara Ann Turner “Service from the Heart” Scholarship

2025 scholarship award: $1,500

Previous Scholarship Recipients Include:

2008: Crystal Marietta

2009: Lindsey Bordner

2010: Nathalie McCrate

2013: Julia McBee & Rebecca Cowan

2014: Carissa DeRanek & Gabrielle Gutierrez

2015: Raquel Dunn

2016: Elise Howard & Lauren Susman

2017: Madison Manning

2018: Kayla Sanseverino

2019: Kayla Abramowitz

2020: Hannah Jarvis

2021: Amanda Kopelman

2022: Gabriella Hidalgo

2023: Amanda Altree

2024: Jessie Brooke Baxter

A dedicated volunteer, Barbara Ann Turner had many interests in her life, but nothing was as dear to her as the Girl Scouts. She served as a troop leader, council trainer, service unit manager, and women’s history committee member. Her wish was that an ongoing scholarship be established to recognize exceptional community service. This dream was realized when the first scholarship was awarded in 2008. Thanks to the love for Barbara and generosity of ongoing donations from her friends and family, the scholarship has been awarded to a Girl Scout who has given exceptional volunteer service in our community.

The ECHO Scholarship

2025 scholarship award: $3,000

Previous Scholarship Recipients Include:

2023: Andrea Ritter, University of Central Florida

2024: Mia Keegan, University of Florida

Launched in 2023 and presented by proud parents Zaida Alvarez and Juan Carlos Arias, The ECHO Scholarship is designed to provide a legacy and is dedicated to supporting Girl Scouts who have gone above and beyond their Gold Award requirements. Once witnessing what a Gold Award can lead to for their daughter Angélica, Zaida and Juan Carlos were inspired to give opportunities to other Girl Scouts who echo their daughter’s dedication, passion, and determination.

Florida Power & Light Company Scholarship

2025 scholarship award: $2,500

Previous Scholarship Recipients Include:

2020: Marley Johnson, University of Florida

2021: Amanda Kopelman, Boston University

2022: Raunak Manchanda, University of Texas at Austin

2023: Sara Kaufman, Johns Hopkins University

2024: Avery Redlich, Brown University

Florida Power & Light Company is committed to supporting a new pipeline of female leaders into the S.T.E.M. fields. While the national workforce is 50% female, only one quarter of S.T.E.M. related jobs are filled by women today. FPL is both passionate and strategically focused on assisting girls who have interests in S.T.E.M. fields and plan to make it a part of their post-secondary educational pursuit. To put its passion into practice, FPL launched a scholarship exclusively for our local Girl Scouts in 2020.

2025 scholarship award: $2,500

Previous Scholarship Recipients Include:

2019: Jillian Meloro, University of Central Florida

2020: Rachel Vogel, Northeastern University

2021: Amanda Kopelman, Boston University

2022: Julia Yu, Florida State University

2023: Heidi Weiksnar, University of Florida

2024: Ella Glassman, Emerson College

Gina Rose Montalto was a victim of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on February 14, 2018. Gina was an extraordinary person; her smile lit up the room, her laughter was infectious, and her warm heart invited new friends wherever she went. As a lifelong Girl Scout, Gina used all her many talents to make the world a better place. As a high school freshman, Gina was already actively exploring ideas for her future Girl Scout Gold Award.

Gina’s loving parents, Tony and Jennifer, knew that even as her life was cut short, the dreams of earning the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award lives on in so many others. To honor and remember her, this scholarship was founded in 2019 and is dedicated to Gina’s beautiful life, her spirit of giving, and her passion for Girl Scouting.

GSSEF Gold Award Advisors Scholarship

2025 scholarship award: $1,500

Previous Scholarship Recipient:

2024: Ella Glassman, Emerson College

In 2024, the dynamic and forward-thinking team of Gold Award Advisors were inspired to launch a scholarship that would honor the trailblazing Girl Scouts they meet every year who strive to earn our organization’s highest girl award. The Advisor becomes the candidate’s official coach and mentor – providing guidance on project elements and assists in the navigation of unforeseen challenges. These special volunteers maintain a well-rounded understanding of council policies and procedures as well as both national and council standards and criteria for successful completion of the Gold Award process.

Gina Rose Montalto Memorial Scholarship

Girl Scouts of the USA Gold Award Scholarship

In 2021, Girl Scouts of the USA launched a new scholarship to provide financial support to one Gold Award Girl Scout per council, for her post-secondary education. Winning Girl Scouts have produced Gold Award projects that exemplify its core components – as well as projects that address an issue of national and/or global significance, achieves measurable and sustainable impact, demonstrates extraordinary personal leadership, and proves that Girl Scouts of courage, confidence, and character truly do make the world a better place.

This year, the scholarship winner will receive:

• A $5,000 scholarship for post-secondary education

• National recognition on our 2025 Gold Award Class webpage

• Letter from GSUSA Chief Executive Officer Bonnie Barczykowski

• Local promotion that highlights the Girl Scout and the Gold Award project

We anticipate the announcement of our 2025 scholarship winner this July.

Don’t miss the big announcement this summer! If you haven’t already, follow our council on:

@gssef @gssefcouncil @GSSEF