A golden idea: Girl Scout earns top honor with courthouse courtyard remodel

Published 8:00 am Saturday, March 9, 2024

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Macey Smith of Mocksville has earned her Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement a Girl Scout can earn, it was announced by Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont.

Smith, a member of Girl Scout Troop 2147, renovated and remodeled a preexisting courtyard at the Davie County Courthouse so that it could be used as a place for photos for special events and weddings that happen there. Smith installed an artificial turf wall, shutters, flower boxes, sitting area and wooden arch to make the space more picturesque and welcoming.

Girls in high school are able to earn their Girl Scout Gold Award by creating sustainable change on a community or world issue. Gold Award Girl Scouts address the root cause of a problem, plan and implement innovative solutions to drive change and lead a team of people to success. Each girl must dedicate a minimum of 80 hours to planning and carrying out her project, which must benefit the community and have long lasting impact.

“Earning the Girl Scout Gold Award designation is truly a remarkable achievement. It is the culmination of so many things- from a girl’s self-discipline and leadership abilities to time management and the creativity, initiative and mastery of skills it takes to complete these kind of projects,” said Jennifer Wilcox, CEO for Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont.

“Every girl who earns this award is making a difference not only in her community, but her own life. The skills gained through the Gold Award process – strategic thinking, communication, collaboration, problem solving- are ones that will be used often in her future endeavors.”

The Gold Award began in 1916 as the Golden Eaglet. Earning the Gold Award opens doors to scholarships, preferred admission tracks for college and amazing career opportunities.

Do you have a girl who wants to earn her Girl Scout Gold Award too? Find out more information about Girl Scouting in local areas at www.girlscoutsp2p.org.