Two Girl Scouts from Middlebury Earn Highest National Girl Scout Honor

Above: Jillian Buckley, Margaret Anne Moore

Jillian Buckley and Margaret Anne Moore of Middlebury 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.

Jillian’s project created an easier way for organizations across the state to collect non-perishable food donations for her local food bank. Jillian and her team built wooden boxes and placed them around town to make donating easier and raise awareness about the importance of giving. Jillian’s wooden donation boxes will be used to college food in the future. After her project, Jillian learned that even the smallest contributions can make a difference.

Margaret’s project helped inspired individuals to chase their dreams regardless of any obstacles. Her movement started as a presentation at her local high school and a conference hosted by Salve Regina University. Her presentation highlighted examples of famous figures and local individuals who overcame obstacles and have changed the world. Margaret will attend Fairfield University in the fall to pursue a career in creative writing. She hopes to become a successful author.

““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.