Three Darien Girl Scouts Earn Highest National Girl Scout Honor

Helene Renee Collins, Kate Halabi, and Catie Morgan of Darien have received their Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor a girl can earn in Girl Scouting.

In order to earn the Gold Award, Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts grades nine through 12 spend at least 80 hours researching issues, assessing community needs and resources, building a team, and making a sustainable impact in the community. A Gold Award recipient’s accomplishments reflect leadership and citizenship skills that set her apart as a community leader.

Helene’s project was to spearhead a book club for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities held at her local library. The book club met on a weekly basis, read short stories, and discussed the books that they read. Helene’s book club created a safe, nurturing environment for everyone who loves to read. Helene plans to study physics and other natural sciences in college. She hopes one day to go into the medical field.

Kate’s project consisted of going to inner-city schools and taught students between the ages of six and 10 about science through hands-on activities and demonstrations. Kate decided to start this project when she realized that children lack an interest in science as they grow older. Members from Kate’s high school will continue to take on the program. She hopes to pursue a career in science after graduating from high school.

Catie’s project was to plant a native garden at her town’s Community Center’s Bird Sanctuary with over 300 perennials, shrubs, ferns, and trees that birds and local wildlife need in order to survive. She also created an “I Spy” game, brochure, and Girl Scout patch program that taught girls about the dangers of invasive plants and the benefits of native plants. Catie plans to study science and veterinary care in the future.

“On a national level, only four to six percent of Girl Scouts earn this prestigious honor, and I am beyond proud of our girls,” said Mary Barneby, CEO of Girl Scouts of Connecticut. “By earning the Gold Award, Girl Scouts set themselves apart as top achievers, and are incredible women of confidence, courage, and character, who make the world a better place. Next year, we are excited to celebrate our 100th year of encouraging girls to Go Gold!”

For more information about the Gold Award or how to become a Gold Award volunteer or mentor, visit http://www.gsofct.org/pages/GoldAward.php.

Photos 1-3: Catie Morgan, Helene Renee Collins, Kate Halabi