Girl Scouts from Davie, Cooper City, and Southwest Ranches Earn Prestigious Gold Award for Community Projects

Five young women from Davie, Cooper City, and Southwest Ranches have achieved the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting, for their exceptional projects that address critical issues in their communities. Claire-Anya Likhachyov of Davie founded the STEM MENTORS CLUB to encourage younger students in STEM fields, while Mia Medrano, also from Davie, launched MangroLife to educate on mangrove conservation. Ellen Huang of Cooper City tackled food waste through her Eco Crafts Campaign, and Lauren Rinella, also from Cooper City, focused on women's health education with her project BeYOUtifully Aware. Kylin Reynolds of Southwest Ranches promoted physical activity among youth with her book and audiobook project. These projects not only address immediate community needs but also aim for long-term impact, demonstrating the Girl Scouts' dedication to leadership and service.

The Gold Award recognizes Girl Scouts in grades nine through 12 who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership through sustainable and measurable projects. The achievements of these young women highlight the importance of youth involvement in solving real-world problems and the potential for lasting change when young leaders are empowered to take action. Their projects have already shown significant impact, from increasing awareness and knowledge in their respective focus areas to inspiring others to get involved in their communities.

Lisa Johnson, CEO of Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida, praised the awardees for their insightful, impactful, and relevant projects. The Gold Award ceremony, supported by sponsors such as Amazon and Publix Super Market Charities, celebrated these young women among 27 regional recipients, underscoring the organization's commitment to fostering leadership and community service among girls. The Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida serves thousands of girls across several counties, providing them with opportunities to develop leadership skills and make a positive difference in the world.