2 Guilford Residents Receive Prestigious Connecticut Girl Scouts Gold Award

By WENDY ANN MITCHELL (Patch Staff)

Two Guilford residents recently took home gold for their community focused projects that helped them earn their Gold Award. A total of 86 Connecticut Girl Scouts received the recognition.

"The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest and most prestigious award that Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors can earn. Each Gold Award Project addresses a community issue and improves lives. The Gold Award process builds girls’ personal leadership skills. A Gold Award Project inspires others to take action within their communities," according to the Girl Scouts website.

Here is some information concerning each of the Guilford award winners via the Connecticut Girl Scouts:

Micayla O’Connor
Guilford
Micayla’s project aimed to train high school students how to be a mentor for middle school band students, while giving middle school students the opportunity to improve their music skills and enjoy music outside of the classroom. The high school students were taught how to teach students about music and provide the students with additional resources as they grow as musicians. Middle school students learned more about music and got extra enrichment. The Guilford Music Department at Micayla’s high school will choose a new student leader each year that will use her training curriculum and mentoring sheets to continue with the program and continue to train mentors and coordinate scheduling.

Evelyn Ferrall
Guilford
Evelyn’s helped address issues individuals with addiction and mental health problems may face, such as lack of responsibility or self-worth. At a local foundation, Evelyn introduced them to the therapeutic nature of plants. Evelyn, a clinician, and the patients worked together and planted a variety of hanging and crawling greens and vines in five wooden units at the foundation. Evelyn gave a presentation at her school in order to address the stigma around mental health and educated her community to help take away that negative stigma. Because of its success, Evelyn’s program will continue to be implemented at the foundation for years to come. Evelyn plans to pursue a career in social work and psychology and horticulture and botany.

Click here to see the full list of Gold Award recipients.

Image via Girl Scouts of Connecticut