Projects focused on eating disorder awareness, foster care and wildlife
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Cora -
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Olivia
Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma has named its 2024 Gold Award recipients. Olivia Ehnert, Cora Fasching and Kaitlyn Patton of Edmond are three of 13 Girl Scouts recognized for their outstanding leadership and community impact achieved through a hands-on project.
Ehnert’s project, NourishHer: Empowering Minds and Bodies, aimed to empower girls by raising awareness about eating disorders and providing support resources. Through workshops and discussions led by professionals, she created a safe space for girls to learn about eating disorders and how to help those affected. Ehnert’s initiative emphasized the importance of mental and physical health in empowering individuals to lead fulfilling lives.
Fasching’s project, Beyond the Trash Bag, aimed to provide essential resources for children entering foster care by assembling bags of necessities. Through educational outreach and advocacy efforts, she raised awareness about the challenges foster children face and the impact of community support. Fasching emphasized the importance of compassion and solidarity in addressing the needs of vulnerable populations.
Patton’s project, Birds Lookout, aimed to educate students about local wildlife and inspire a love for nature. Through the installation of a bird wall at Arcadia Lake, she provided an interactive learning experience that showcased the sounds and behaviors of birds in the area. Patton’s goal was to instill a sense of environmental stewardship and encourage children to connect with their natural surroundings.
Each year, hundreds of Girl Scouts across the country earn Gold Awards—the highest honor a Girl Scout can receive—through commitment to a service project.
“The Girl Scout Gold Award is the culmination of years of hard work and unwavering commitment to shaping a better future,” said GSWESTOK CEO Janienne Bella. “Gold Award Girl Scouts identify a problem and do whatever it takes to create positive change. By completing their service projects, Girls not only leave behind a lasting impact on their communities but also enter the next stage of their lives equipped with the confidence, experience and skills they need to make a difference.”
According to the Girl Scout Research Institute, Gold Award recipients are more likely than non-Girl Scouts to graduate from college, take on leadership roles and engage in community service activities.
Gold Award Girl Scouts are eligible for three unique scholarship opportunities: a $1,000 Sonic scholarship, a $3,000 GSWESTOK scholarship and a national $5,000 Girl Scouts of the USA scholarship.
Gold Award recipients, along with Bronze and Silver Award recipients, will be recognized at Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma’s Highest Awards Ceremony at 10 a.m. on May 4, 2024, at Church of the Servant in Oklahoma City.