MIQUON, PA — Fifty-three Girl Scouts across eastern Pennsylvania earned the Girl Scout Gold Award during the 2025-26 membership year, a distinction that recognizes high school-aged Scouts who complete sustained community service projects and demonstrate leadership through long-term problem-solving initiatives.
The recipients were recognized during Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania’s annual Highest Awards ceremony on May 31 at the Temple Ambler Learning Center. The event was attended by organization leadership, including CEO Kim E. Fraites-Dow, as well as Pennsylvania state Rep. Mary Jo Daley.
The Gold Award is the highest achievement in Girl Scouting and is awarded to Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors in grades 9 through 12. To earn the recognition, participants must identify a community issue, develop and implement a solution, recruit volunteers, and create a project designed to continue benefiting the community after their involvement ends.
The organization reported that this year’s Gold Award recipients collectively contributed more than 4,240 leadership service hours through projects addressing issues including mental health awareness, citizenship education, artificial intelligence literacy, accessibility improvements, and other community needs. Based on the latest Independent Sector valuation of volunteer service, those efforts represent more than $153,000 in community service value.
Among the honorees, Willow W. of Norristown received the 2026 Girl Scouts of the USA Gold Award Scholarship, a $5,000 award presented to one Gold Award recipient from each council whose project demonstrates significant and sustainable impact.
Willow’s project focused on reducing period poverty among English-language learners by creating a menstrual health education booklet designed for individuals whose first language is Spanish. The initiative also included collecting menstrual products for an all-girls orphanage in Costa Rica and leading educational presentations for students at Renaissance Academy Charter School.
“Each year, our Girl Scouts continue inspiring us through the creativity and impact of their Take Action projects,” said Fraites-Dow. “We are proud to honor the 53 Girl Scouts who have earned the Gold Award.”
Fraites-Dow added that the projects demonstrate the organization’s leadership goals by encouraging young people to become community problem-solvers while addressing local needs across the council’s nine-county service area.
The organization also highlighted participation in its Calling All Girl Bosses program, a year-long initiative serving girls in Philadelphia, Reading, and Allentown. Four Gold Award recipients participated in the program, which provides leadership and community engagement workshops designed to help participants develop civic and professional skills.
In addition to the Gold Award recipients, Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania recognized 127 Girl Scouts who earned the Silver Award during the 2025-26 membership year. The Silver Award is the highest achievement available to Girl Scout Cadettes in grades 6 through 8.
Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania serves nine counties across southeastern Pennsylvania and annually recognizes Scouts whose projects address community challenges through volunteer service, education, advocacy, and infrastructure improvements.
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