Press release from Girl Scouts of Western Ohio

(Cincinnati, Oh.) - Thirteen local Girl Scouts are receiving the esteemed Gold Award from Girl Scouts of Western Ohio this year. The Girl Scout Gold Award ceremony kicks off Girl Scout Week and will be held on Sunday, March 10, 2013, at The Phoenix in downtown Cincinnati from 3-5 p.m. The ceremony presentation will begin at 3:30 p.m.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest award that Girl Scouts in grades 9–12 may earn. The efforts put forth to earn this award express a special commitment by the recipient to herself, her community and her future. The required steps for this award are chosen to help Girl Scouts develop 21^st century skills, practice leadership, explore a need in the community and the world, and learn more about themselves. Some criterion for the girls’ project includes community involvement outside of the Girl Scout structure, being innovative, project sustainability and taking action to educate and inspire others. Approximately 6 percent of Girl Scouts nationwide earn this award. At least 80 hours have been dedicated to a project over a time span of one to two years.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is just one trademark of our long history. However, the Gold Award has not always been so-named. The Golden Eagle of Merit (Golden Eaglet), the highest award in Girl Scouting from 1916 to 1919, marked the beginning of a long tradition of using prestigious awards to recognize girls who make a difference in their communities and in their own lives. From 1940 to 1963, the Curved Bar Award was the highest honor in Girl Scouting. From 1963 to 1980, First Class was the highest award. To achieve First Class meant that a girl was an "all-around" person with some skills in many fields and a proficiency in one. Since 1981, the Gold Award has been the highest award. Approximately one million Girl Scouts have earned the Gold Award or it’s equivalent since 1916.

Girl Scout Gold Award recipients from the Cincinnati area include:  Stephanie Allaire (Evendale/45241), Kristen Bisig (Loveland/45140), Lauren Crall (Loveland/45140), Cassidy Duckett (Franklin/45005), Catherine Elsaesser (Wyoming/45215), Jeanette Gourley (Waynesville/45068), Madison Hartshorn (Waynesville/45068), Stacey Marshall (Colerain/45239), Kristy Martini (Sunman, IN/47041), Tyler Poirier (Hyde Park/45208), Meghan Kate Tegtmeier (Loveland/45140), Jessica Ann Wells (Guilford, IN/47022) and Clara Young (Waynesville/45068).

About Girl Scouts of Western Ohio

In partnership with 15,000 adult volunteers, Girl Scouts of Western Ohio serves nearly 50,000 girl members in 32 counties throughout western Ohio and southeastern Indiana, and is chartered by Girl Scouts of the USA, the premier organization for and leading authority on girls. Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.  For more information, to volunteer your time or make a donation, call 513-489-1025 or 1-800-537-6241, or visit our website at: www.girlscoutsofwesternohio.org.