Newtown Girl Scout Awarded Highest Honor

NEWTOWN, CT -- The Girl Scouts USA has announced that Newtown resident Jennifer Browne has been awarded the prestigious Gold Award, their highest honor.

Comparable to the Eagle Scout Award honor offered by the Scouts of America (formerly the Boy Scouts of America), the Gold Award is the culmination of a scout's career. Each Gold Award project solves a community issue and improves lives while girls build their personal leadership skills and inspire others to community action. Some universities offer scholarships unique to Gold Award recipients, and women who enlist in the U.S. armed forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievement.

Jennifer focused on mental health issues in teenagers, specifically the term, “eunoia.” Eunoia means “well minded” or a healthy state of mind. Jennifer created fourteen informational pamphlets and presented her research at health fairs and suicide prevention walks across the state.

She also presented a PowerPoint to a middle school health class. Jennifer’s aim was to endorse and promote a healthy mindset by offering information on the most common mental illnesses, treatment options, and coping mechanisms.

Jennifer’s information pamphlets will be distributed among the middle school health classes and her PowerPoint will continue to be presented. Jennifer plans to study anthropology and pursue a career in archaeology when she graduates.

Photo of Jennifer Browne courtesy of GSUSA.