2021

GOLD AWARD
YEARBOOK
 LETTER FROM
GSGLA LEADERSHIP

THE GIRL SCOUTS

Dear Gold Award Girl Scouts and Families,

GOLD AWARD
We are incredibly proud to celebrate your accomplishments in earning your Gold Award. The highest
achievement in Girl Scouting, the Gold Award represents your many months of work addressing areas of
pressing need throughout Greater Los Angeles. Never an easy feat in any year, you faced an unprecedented
YEARBOOK
obstacle—the COVID-19 pandemic. Each of you rose to the challenge with courage, confidence, and
character, collectively logging more than 18,000 hours in community service. Many of you adjusted your
original project ideas in response to social distancing orders and limited access to resources. We applaud The Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest From 1940-63, the Curved Bar Award was
your commitment and determination. honor in Girl Scouting, is a national award the highest honor in Girl Scouting. From
with significant standards that elevate a 1963-80, the highest award was called First
This year’s 230 Gold Award projects inspired and empowered our communities—from tackling the issue of girl’s leadership skills, creativity, values, and Class. And since 1980, the Gold Award has
plastic polluting our oceans, to documenting the history and stories of Japanese Americans, to creating a efforts to make the world a better place. inspired girls to find the greatness inside
bilingual children’s resource book on radiation therapy in the pediatric cancer community. You have made a
themselves and share their ideas and
lasting and positive impact by highlighting challenges in our communities and beyond. The 2021 Gold Award Earning the Gold Award requires spending at passions with their communities.
class has fully embraced the Girl Scouts mission to make the world a better place. least 80 hours planning and implementing
a challenging, large-scale project that is Nationwide, only 6 percent of all eligible
On behalf of Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles members, volunteers, board members, and staff, we are innovative, engages others, and has a Girl Scouts achieve the Gold Award. And
honored to celebrate the culmination of your Girl Scout journey. Thank you for a job remarkably well done, lasting impact on its targeted community. out of 112 Girl Scout councils, Girl Scouts of
and congratulations on earning the highest honor in Girl Scouting.
Greater Los Angeles (GSGLA) continuously
The prestigious award recognizes Senior boasts the highest number of girls reaching
and Ambassador Girl Scouts—girls in grades Gold each year.
Yours in Girl Scouting, 9-12—for outstanding accomplishments
in leadership, community service, career Girls who earn their Girl Scout Gold Award
planning, and personal development. automatically enter the military one rank
higher, qualify for college scholarships, and
Starting in 1916, the best and brightest are eligible for additional national service
undertook projects that improved their awards.
Theresa Edy Kiene Ellen E. Swarts communities—and the world. The Golden
Chief Executive Officer Board Chair Eaglet, the highest award in Girl Scouting
from 1916-39, sparked the beginning
of a long tradition of recognizing the
extraordinary efforts of extraordinary girls.
 2021 GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARDEES
SIERRA ACOLENTAVA
Rosary Garden
Sierra’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community by
providing a place for members and
ministries of the church. She also
made a garden to teach people how
to pray the rosary. The garden was
made to benefit those who wish to
have a place of sanctuary.
JADE ANASTASI
Got ASL?
For Jade’s Gold Award project, she
taught 90 students ASL to bridge
the gap between hearing and deaf
communities. She taught online
zoom classes three days a week
for four weeks. Her students can
now have a conversation in ASL
and have more knowledge of the
deaf community. much-needed outdoor seating
RACHEL-ANN ARIAS
Connecting With Wildlife of the
Foothills
Rachel-Ann’s Gold Award project
helped facilitate positive connections
between community members and
local wildlife. She hosted multiple
online workshops for kids, teaching
them about local animals and
conservation. She also designed a
website with photos of local wildlife
and created an instructional video of
how to use remote cameras.
CAMERON ARMENDARIZ
Revive & Restore: A National Parks
Project
Cameron’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community by
creating an environmental curriculum
revealing how anthropogenic pollution
has taken over countless amenities
granted by America’s National Parks.
Revive & Restore aids in the solution
by encouraging people to “Go Green,”
starting with educating our youngest
generations.
3 4
STEPHANIE ALEXANDER
Save Our Oceans Project
Stephanie’s Gold Award project
made an impact on her community
by organizing beach cleanups. She
created brochures to educate visitors
about the harmful effects of plastic
pollution and its effect on the ocean.
She worked with Cabrillo Marine
Aquarium to accomplish her Gold
Award.
MORGAN APOLONIO
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Innovate
and Create
Morgan’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community by
encouraging others to learn about
the environment and make changes
to protect the planet. She created an
environmental curriculum, working
with the Metropolitan Water District,
and led multiple workshops for kids
across South Los Angeles. the wonderful resources that the
AVA ARMBRUSTER
Life Skiils For Young Women of the
Future Workshop
Ava’s Gold Award project addressed
lack of public school funding for life
skills curriculum. She provided a free
virtual workshop for young women,
ages 9-13, to learn skills, such as
sewing a button, different ways to set
a table, and cooking tips and tricks.
After each lesson, each girl could
print out a step-by-step instruction
guide to refer back to.
PARKER ARMSTRONG
Art for All
Parker’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community by
providing families at Richstone
Family Center the opportunity
to create art. This project gave
participants the chance to interact
with and learn about influential
female artists, create art, and
share the experience with their
families.
MAYA ARZOLA ELIZABETH ASTIN
Green Wave One Hundred Years of Memories
Maya’s Gold Award project made Gold Award Recipient
an impact on her community by
introducing a younger generation
to recycling and teaching children
the importance of conservative
plastic use. She influenced children
to do their part by recycling and
living a sustainable lifestyle.
CASSANDRA NICOLE AUGUSTA
ATKINSON The SCV Literacy Project
Planting Seeds of Hope
Nicole’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community by
Cassandra’s Gold Award project
stressing the importance of early
made a difference in her community
childhood literacy. She created
by planting a beautiful garden to
materials and videos to spread
create a more inviting and peaceful
her message throughout the local
space at the entrance to Best
community and beyond. Fun and
Friends Animal Society. She added
engaging events enabled children
and their families to experience all
to accommodate visitors and
volunteers, and collected supplies
library has to offer.
for animals.
KIANI BAETSLE CANDACE BAIK
A Greener STEP Healthy Body, Healthy Mind
Kiani’s Gold Award project Gold Award Recipient
addressed her school’s lack
of recycling and sustainability
initiatives. She founded La Canada
High School’s latest Green Club,
through which she established
indoor recycling bins and a social
media account, where infographics
regarding environmental news were
used to spread awareness to the
community.
CHRISTINE BALIAN RACHEL BEDOYAN
Patient Amenities Kit & Social Don’t Trash The Future
Media Plan For Shriners
Gold Award Recipient
Gold Award Recipient
 2021 GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARDEES
JEANETTE BENEDICT
Healthy Habits and Good Gardening
Jeanette’s Gold Award project
addressed unhealthy lifestyles in
underserved communities. She
planted a community garden at
the Boys and Girls Club of Harbor
City and taught classes to fourth
and fifth graders on healthy eating,
exercise, and growing fruits and
vegetables.
RILEY BLAUGRUND
Inspiring Foster Children’s
Creativity
Riley’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community by
helping to ensure the needs of
foster children were not neglected.
She designed a mural that spreads
hope and positivity to kids, parents,
lawyers, and staff at court. She
updated a media room, to provide a
creative, educational experience for
kids who frequent the building.
ASHLEY BOLTER
P.O.W. (Power of Words)
Ashley’s Gold Award project
inspired and encouraged people in
her community to appreciate the
importance of literacy. By writing
a children’s book and comic, she
illustrated the importance of
reading and encouraged people to
explore writing through a creative
writing workshop and contest.
IDALINA BONHAM
B&G Club of America Teen Library
Idalina’s Gold Award project made
a difference in the community by
providing a calm and comfortable
environment for teens to study,
do homework, research, and to
prepare for college. The library
provides easy access to a great
variety of books, from fiction to
AP textbooks and college prep
materials. general voting information for all
5 6
KATHERINE BESCH
Sanitary Sanity: Restoring Girls’
Access to Education and Athletics in
Uganda
Katherine’s Gold Award project
addressed the lack of menstrual
products and sexual and reproductive
health education in Northern Uganda.
She worked with Ray United FC (RUFC)
and raised funds to put on a Sexual
and Reproductive Health and Hygiene
Camp for 21 Ugandan youth.
LORI BODNAR
Letters of Hope
Lori’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community
by sending 200 letters and care
packages with coloring books,
coloring pencils, paints, activity
books, newspapers, wooden
holiday ornaments, and Valentine’s
Day roses to seniors in assisted
living facilities. Lori also hosted a
Zoom music concert and dance
performance to entertain residents.
LAUREN BOLTON
Virtual Warrior Welcome
Lauren’s Gold Award project helped
incoming freshmen, who have just
finished eighth grade, transition
into a new environment. She
filmed a series of informational
videos on various crucial topics,
hosted lunchtime Zoom meetings
with engaging presentations, and
created an all-day orientation for
the incoming class.
LAURENCIA BOTTS
Coding Games to Teach Kids About
Environmental Issues
Laurencia’s Gold Award project
addressed environmental awareness.
She created an educational resource,
“EnviroGames,” with purpose of
educating youth about environmental
issues. Her games aim to support
teachers and educators with online
resources, to aid in distanced learning.
LORENA BOUCHER
Cancer Technology 101
Gold Award Recipient
AVA BOURDEAU
Type Everyone
Ava’s Gold Award project helped
spread awareness of Type-1
Diabetes. She educated people
about the condition, by providing
insight on the science, technology,
and history through a virtual
presentation of stories of those
impacted by the disease. Ava was
able to reach a broad range of
people, previously uneducated
about Type-1 Diabetes.
ANNIE BRUNDIGE
Hometown Heroes: Girl Scouts of
the Crescenta Valley
Annie’s Gold Award project made
an impact on the community by
creating an archival and storage
process for memorabilia at local
universities. Annie accepted a
$30,000 grant to work with USC and
Cal State Northridge to learn how
to execute metadata and digitize
scrapbooks left to the universities
dating back to 1929.
BAILEY CANHAM
Voting 101
Bailey’s Gold Award project
addressed the issue of voter apathy
among young adults. She designed
a curriculum for high school and
college students explaining how to
vote, understand ballot initiatives,
and what impact their ballot can
have. She also designed a website
to share projects as well as provide
young voters to take advantage of.
SAREEN
BOULGOURJIAN
Care for Cats
Sareen’s Gold Award project made
a difference by educating her
community about the importance of
animal care and adoption. Her goal
was to spread awareness that not
all animals are treated properly. She
made 100 care packages filled with
animal care products, blankets, and
a pamphlet with educational tips.
AMANDA BRADY
Exploring Art and Individuality
Amanda’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community by
enriching the art curriculum and
space of the Boys & Girls Club.
Amanda taught art classes to kids,
covering technique and personal
expression. She refurbished the art
room by painting three murals and
refurnishing and repainting the art
tables. She also donated art supplies
to the Boys & Girls Club.
LORIELLE CAMPOS-
MARTEL
Sew It Together
Lorielle’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community
by teaching others about the
importance of wearing fabric face
mask. She created a YouTube
channel explaining how to stay safe
during the COVID-19 pandemic, and
she taught younger Girl Scouts how
to sew their own face masks.
CADIE CARLSON
Go Away Germs
Cadie’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community by
helping a local daycare stay healthy
during COVID-19. She made UV
sanitizing boxes for each classroom,
so teachers could easily clean
toys and books. She also taught
preschoolers how to properly
wash their hands and other healthy
lifestyle practices.
 2021 GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARDEES
LANEY CASTILLO
ASL on the Go
Gold Award Recipient Melody’s Gold Award project made
CASEY CHAN
The Art of Safety
Casey’s Gold Award project
addressed the issue of the
importance of safety by hosting
virtual safety seminars for a local
elementary school and scouting
troops. Casey’s project also
involved illustrating educational
comic strips and creating a website
that documented all research.
KATHLEEN CHEN
Relievate
Gold Award Recipient Gold Award Recipient
KAYLEE CHEUNG
Healthy and Clean Habits
Kaylee’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community by
purchasing hand sanitizer stations
for her local high school and
educating students about
cleanliness through infographics.
She also directed workshops
teaching younger scouts and
community how to sew masks.
7 8
MELODY CAUDILL
Voiceover
a difference in her community
by creating a safe space, where
creative young people from all
over the world were able to share
their art, ideas, and voice. The idea
for this project hatched before
COVID-19 hit, but it had a greater
impact during quarantine because it
connected a group of people during
a time when they needed it most.
ALLISON CHANG
A Preemium on Preemies
Allison’s Gold Award project addressed
the issue of premature birth. She
created a website to provides support
resources for families. She taught a
Zoom workshop on how to crochet
preemie hats for donation, and donated
25 kits, with crayons, books, blankets,
onesies, and rattles, to the Loma Linda
Hospital NICU to families waiting to take
their preemie home.
ALEXIS CHERNIN
Healthy Meals for RW Marching
Alliance Students During Competitions
When Alexis discovered that fellow
band students were hungry at
competitions because of a lack of
access to adequate nutrition, she was
inspired to create a Gold Award project
to provide food before and during off-
campus events. She ensured that each
student received two meals during off-
campus events.
KAITLIN CHHENG
Teen Suicide Awareness
Kaitlin’s Gold Award project made an
impact in her community by raising
awareness of suicide prevention. In a
highly competitive high school, with
students facing academic pressures
and mental health issues, major risk
factors of teen suicide were being
ignored. It inspired her to take the
crucial step towards prevention by
raising awareness among the staff
and student body.
SRISAI SAAVARNI GENEVIEVE CHIN
CHILUKURI Art, Technology, and Business
Purple Hydrangea Project Walnut Education
Chapter
Genevieve’s Gold Award project
made a difference in her community
Srisai Saavarni’s Gold Award project
by introducing youth in L.A. County
addressed the lack of awareness
to interdisciplinary education and
surrounding mental health. She
resources. Partnering with the Los
brought a mental health nonprofit
Angeles Public Library, Genevieve
to her school to help break down
hosted virtual workshops with
the misconceptions surrounding
professionals covering coding, design,
mental health. Together, they started
and business, reaching students
a much needed discussion in the
across the County.
community about the issue.
BRIANNA CORNETT TEVA CORWIN
Cards for the Courageous Los Angeles Teens Get Out the Vote
Gold Award Recipient Gold Award Recipient
EMMA CRAWFORD ALLISON CRUDELE
Encouraging Young Students to Stay Your First Step
with Music
Emma’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community
by helping students and parents
recognize the benefits of music while
providing resources for a successful
music career. Her project included a
website, a published book, student
meetings and seminars, newspaper
articles, videos, and a high school
club.
SHINJINI DAS EMMA DE LA TORRE
Operation Smile Mother Luisita: “Adelante! Onward!
God will provide!”
Shinjini’s Gold Award project
addressed the issue of situational Emma’s Gold Award project
homelessness in the San Gabriel provided an educational tool for
Valley by partnering with “A Family immigrant students of color. She
Promise and the Church of the wrote a children’s book, in which the
Good Shepherd,” in Arcadia. To protagonist immigrates to the U.S. and
help families staying at the church, is bullied for being an immigrant, but
she made fleece blankets with a continues to pursue her education
signature heart to remind them and becomes a very successful
they’re loved and created a mural immigration lawyer.
where the families stay.
 2021 GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARDEES
KOA DE LEON
Filipino Americans Rising
Koa’s Gold Award project
addressed the lack of ethnic
studies in high school curricula.
She organized a series of five
virtual workshops that taught
Filipino American high school
students about their history and
how to become leaders. She
gathered speakers to discuss
leadership, Filipino American
history, and leadership skills. interesting to kids.
ELISE DEGROOT
Purling Girls
Elise’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community by
helping Knots of Love create and
mail baby blankets to babies in the
NICU. She did this by safely teaching
her friends how to knit. Once the
blankets were done, she took them
to the Knots of Love headquarters,
where she packaged and labeled
other knit goods.
KATRYNA ISABELLE
DIONISIO
Music Wall
Katryna’s Gold Award project
addressed inclusion of children
with special needs. She created
a sensory-friendly way for kids
to interact with one another and
provided a creative space for them.
Katryna is passionate about making
schools a more inclusive place
for everyone, regardless of their
needs.
MINA FAIRALL
Pure Imagination: Unlocking Your
Inner Creative Genius
Mina’s Gold Award project
addressed the lack of variety of
art forms taught in schools. She
created and implemented a six-
week online comic/cartooning
summer art course through her
local library for 9- 12-year-old
students in her community.
9 10
ADRIENNE DE FARIA
Masks for LA LGBT Center
Adrienne’s Gold Award project
addressed the lack of PPE for
underserved communities. She
supplied the Los Angeles LGBT
Center with cloth and medical grade
masks, supplies to sew masks,
and video tutorials in Spanish and
English.
ARIANNA DIAZ
Project Sweet Tooth
Gold Award Recipient
EVELYN DOWD
Reading is Fun(damental)!
Evelyn’s Gold Award project addressed
literacy rates in underserved
communities. She worked with Families
Forward Learning Center, to make the
library more accessible and inviting,
creating resources with information on
local libraries and educational websites.
She also created a program pairing
a high school volunteer with a Pre-K
student to read a book once a week.
ASHLEY FARRELL
A Rookies Guide to FIRST Lego League
Ashley’s Gold Award project made a
difference in her community by creating
a 16-part video series teaching students
about robotics and engineering, through
the FIRST Lego League program. The
series provided simple instructions
allowing mentors and family members
to provide quality guidance to students
interested in the field.
MING-AN FASQUELLE
Anecdote Boat: Uncovering the
Past Podcast
Ming-An’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community by
amplifying the voices of senior
citizens. She created a podcast
where every 20-min episode
highlighted a different senior’s
beautiful and complex life.
JULIA FINCH
Care About Rare
Julia’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community by
increasing awareness and support
for people living with rare diseases.
MOLLY FLEISCHER
Mask Making Video
Molly’s Gold Award project
addressed the shortage of masks
in underserved communities. Her
project focused on encouraging
people to donate masks. She
learned how to sew masks and
created an instructional video
teaching others how to make them.
She was able to donate more than
50 masks to Ronald McDonald
House in Pasadena.
LILY FONTES
Garbage to Gold
Gold Award Recipient
RILEY FASS
History and Founding of Pomona
Activities for Children
Riley’s Gold Award project
addressed the accessibility of
fun and educational local history
activities for children. She made a
workbook of activities with history
on three historical sites from the
Historical Society of Pomona.
Her project made local history
in Pomona more accessible and
LILLYANNE FISHER
Artistic Expression Against Digital
Addiction
Lillyanne’s Gold Award project
utilized an artistic approach to
address electronics overuse. Through
interactive art workshops, she taught
children and their families about
the harms of digital addiction. She
introduced creative expression as a
means of developing the reflective
skills that are subdued by extensive
smartphone use.
EILSE FONG
Amp It Up
Elise’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community
by building recording studios out
of recycled crates and hosting
workshop exercises for confidence-
boosting. Elementary school
students in her community will use
her recording studios to record
assignments using the Flipgrid and
Seesaw apps.
KATHARINE FRANKLIN
Raising Awareness; Raising Noodle
Katharine’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community by
socializing and training her puppy,
Noodle, as a puppy raiser for Guide
Dogs of America. She educated her
community about how guide dog
teams should be respected, and she
raised awareness about how guide
dogs provide more independence for
the visually impaired.
 2021 GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARDEES
ELIZABETH MARIE
FREEMAN
Sketching 101 How to Blast off as
an Artist
Gold Award Recipient and opportunities to educate her
ELIZABETH FUIRE
Buidling Confidence and Self
Esteem Through Theater
Gold Award Recipient
ANI GABRELIAN
The Golden Brush
Ani’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community
by bringing together youth and
elder communities through art.
Together, Girl Scout Troop 1202
and Boy Scout Troop 440 held art
workshops and created beautiful
paintings to deliver to Ararat Home
as gifts for the elderly, bringing
them joy during difficult times.
SAMANTHA GENTILLE
Training an Equine Therapy Horse
for Dream Catcher of Los Angeles
Samantha’s Gold Award project
made a difference in her community
by providing Dream Catcher with
a therapeutic riding horse for their
lesson program. She raised funds to
purchase the horse and trained him
for therapeutic riding lessons. She
also made an instructional video for
future volunteers.
11
LUCY FRIEDMAN
Abolition Through Awareness
Lucy’s Gold Award project
addressed the threat of nuclear
warfare by hosting several events
community about this issue. She
partnered with Physicians for Social
Responsibility-Los Angeles to create a
documentary, website, pamphlets and
t-shirts for the organization’s office
and held presentations for more than
200 community members.
KATIE FURLONG
Beneficial Bug Hotels
Katie’s Gold Award project addressed
the issue of deforestation by teaching
the next generation how to help. She
wrote a book to spread the word.
ALYSSA GARCIA
Ebell Memorial Garden
Alyssa’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community by
beautifying an empty space for the
community to enjoy. Beautifying
the Ewell brought life back into
the property. This area is now
sustainable and everyone is able to
enjoy it, whether touring the property
or viewing it from afar.
ESTHER GOLDBERG
Taking on Gluten
Esther’s Gold Award project made an
impact on her community by raising
awareness about celiac disease. She
created a website for gluten-free
recipes, food lists, information, and
presentations. She also hosted Zoom
meetings with family, friends, and
community organizations, teaching
people about the disease and her
experiences living with it.
ALESSANDRA
GONZALEZ
Gardens of the World - Lesson Plans
Gold Award Recipient
ALYSSA GORE
Growing Goodness
Alyssa Gore’s Gold Award Project
titled “Growing Goodness” made
an impact on her community by
adding a vegetable garden to her
local retirement home. This garden
catered to different disabilities of
the elderly residents by having multi-
level gardening beds. Alyssa’s project
ignited passion in many residents, as
well as gave them a fresh alternative
to be used in the facility’s kitchen.
MADAILEIN GREGG
2nd Day Denim
Madailein’s Gold Award project
addressed the issue of denim waste
in landfills. She collected used denim
from residents in her community,
then gave it to an organization
that turns denim into eco-friendly
insulation. biomed science students and made
KARINA GUNN
Food Waste and Composting in
Santa Monica
Karina’s Gold Award project
addressed the issue of food waste.
She hosted seminars for local
students, Boy Scouts, and Girl
Scouts, educating them on the
origin of food waste, how they can
reduce their own food waste, and
how to repurpose their food waste
into compost.
CLAUDIA GOORE
Project Angel Food Masks
Gold Award Recipient
SOPHIA GRAMMER
Safe Community Theatre in the Time
of COVID
Sophia’s Gold Award project made a
difference in the community by bringing
performance to the virtual stage.
Sophia wrote a play and worked with
young actors to create a 60-minute
Zoom production. Sophia shared the
play with the community through
YouTube and wrote a manual on
virtual productions for local theater
companies.
MOIRA GULDEN
Education on Cleft Lip Genetics
Moira’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community by
spreading awareness about Van
derWoudes Syndrome. She created
a curriculum on the genetics of
the condition for local high school
pamphlets for UCLA and St. John’s
Hospital craniofacial clinics. She also
created a Youtube video and social
media accounts.
MADELINE GRACE
GUTIERREZ
PC Building
Madeline’s Gold Award project
made an impact on her community
by teaching different generations
how to build their own personal
computer.
12
 2021 GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARDEES

PAIGE GUTZKE ADRIANA GYEPES SKYLAR HIGGINS LINDSEY HIRANO

Solar Boat Garden Seeing Myanmar Dare to Prepare Girl Code

Paige’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community by
educating it about San Dimas High
School’s strong STEM club.
Adriana’s Gold Award project
addressed the lack of glasses for
children in Myanmar. She collected
used glasses in her community by
setting up donation boxes, holding
presentations in schools, creating
a website, and working with stores.
She then took the glasses she had
collected to Myanmar.
Skylar’s Gold Award project made Gold Award Recipient
a difference in her community by
teaching students and Girl Scouts
how to create wildfire preparedness
plans. She led presentations for
over 200 people, teaching them the
basics of fire safety and leading
them through making and sharing
an emergency plan. She also
designed a website full of resources
so anyone can “”dare to prepare.”

KAITLYN HAMMER CHRISTINA HANNA ALYSSA HO JANELLE HO

A Journey Through Time
Kaitlyn’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community
by interviewing senior citizens
encouraging them to share their life
experiences which she made into
a book. She trained volunteers to
host a Brownie workshop to teach
girls about family stories. She also
crafted a manual with instructions
to replicate her project. and she replenished them as needed.
Emergency Supply Kits
Christina’s Gold Award project
addressed emergency preparedness.
Christina discovered her school had
only small first-aid kits that were
lacking. She decided to expand her
school’s emergency supplies. With
the help of donors and volunteers,
she provided 50 emergency supply
buckets for classrooms in her school,
Full STEAM Ahead Career and Future With the Army
National Guard
Alyssa’s Gold Award project
addressed the lack of diversity Gold Award Recipient
in STEM. She hosted an online,
all-female app competition.
Participants from 11+ countries
learned about paper prototyping,
Figma, and Thunkable to design
a mental health app. Participants
were also given resources to other
app competitions, where they
could continue their app ideas.

ANNELIESE HANSON SAMANTHA HAYASHI KAITLYN HO CLARE HOUSTON

Avian Avengers
Anneliese’s Gold Award project
made a difference in her community
by teaching others how birds impact
the environment. She instructed
people to make simple changes in
their day-to-day life to help maintain
bird populations.
Happy Spaces
Samantha’s Gold Award project
addressed the stigma of mental health
in the Asian American community.
She updated the waiting room at the
Asian Pacific Counseling and Treatment
Center by painting a carnival-themed
mural and providing fun activities for
children. She also worked with younger
Scouts to make frames to display
children’s artwork.
Spreading Their Stories: Viet
Biographies
Gold Award Recipient
Pregnancy Help Center Stories
Clare’s Gold Award project addressed
the issue of spreading awareness
about the Pregnancy Help Center and
the pro-life message. She created
a booklet of stories from women
who had positive experiences at the
center, service info, and volunteer
opportunities. She gave presentations
about the center to youth groups at St.
James’ Parish and Bishop Montgomery
High School.

ANNIKA HERNANDEZ ELISE HERNANDEZ LAINEE IRRIBARREN ARABELLA ISHKHANIAN

From A to Zen; Healthy Food
Options and Lifestyle Choices
Annika’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community
by raising awareness about the
importance of personal health, from
physical activity to self-care.
Picture the Progress
Elise’s Gold Award project provided
students of under-resourced
communities with professional
photography equipment and a
virtual photography class. She gave
presentations on the basic mechanics
and history of photography, and
brought in a Pulitzer Prize-winning
photographer to discuss photography
as a career choice.
Book-Ease
Lainee’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community
by replacing the library service
eliminated from an elementary
school due to pandemic-related
budget cuts. She made videos of
herself reading books, while also
including reading comprehension
questions. She made monthly kits
with specific topics such as sensory
and focus to help with learning.
Women in S.T.E.M
Arabella’s Gold Award project made an
impact on her community by creating
a club at John Burroughs High School
called Women In S.T.E.M. Arabella
successfully reached her goals:
empowering young women, bringing
awareness to STEM fields,
and encouraging endless possibilities.

13 14
 2021 GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARDEES
BROOKLYN JACKSON
Brooklyn’s Bridge
Brooklyn’s Gold Award project
made a difference in her
community by uplifting children
awaiting placement in foster care.
Her project, Brooklyn’s Bridge,
brings “light” to children going
through times of uncertainty in
their lives. With the help of the
Brooklyn’s project, the children can
now see that they are truly loved.
HONEY JAMES
Stop Teen Vaping
Honey’s Gold Award project
addressed the issue of the teen
vaping. Her objective was to
enlighten teens about the dangers
of vaping. She created flyers and
bumper stickers with hotline
numbers, which were distributed
throughout her community. She also
created a short video for the Walnut
High School website as a resource
for teens and their families.
BRIANNE JUNG
Sensory Pathways
Brianne’s Gold Award project
made an impact by establishing
sensory pathways in the hallways
of her local elementary school.
These pathways provided a “brain
break” to help children regain their
concentration by engaging them in
mindful movement. From hopping
on starfish to counting ladybugs,
they benefit childrens’ cognitive and
motor skills development.
CASSIE KAO
Music Wellness Program
Cassie’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community by
connecting the youth at her church
with those in the special education
classes through music and building
relationships. Her project strives
to bring joy to these kids through
music and improve their emotional
and mental health by offering an
outlet for them to express their
emotions.
15
ZOE JACOBS
Saugus Strong Mental Health Garden
Gold Award Recipient
HAILEY JOHNSON
Senior Center Technology Workshop
Hailey’s Gold Award project addressed
the issue of seniors lacking technology
knowledge by holding Zoom
workshops. The workshops contained
powerpoint presentation with visual
instruction, games, and Q&A of the
information. A 40-page IT manual was
made for the seniors to access on
their own when in need of help. items. schools, the local courthouse, and a few
ASHLEY KANESHIRO
The History of the Japanese American
Basketball League
Ashley’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community by
spreading awareness of the 90-year
history of the Japanese American
Optimist (JAO) Youth Basketball
League, the internment of Japanese-
Americans, and the importance of
good sportsmanship on the court.
SAMARA KAPLAN
“If You Fall Down You Get Back Up
Again” - Inclusion Music Video
Samara’s Gold Award project
addressed the issues of inclusion,
friendship, and anti-stereotyping
by creating an original song and a
music video. The video is available on
YouTube and is intended to be used
to “spark” meaningful conversations.
Bullying is not okay, and stereotyping is
not okay.
ISABELLA KASH
Special Needs Activity Cart
Gold Award Recipient
JULIA KELLER
Helping House of Yahweh
Julia’s Gold Award project addressed
the issue of community engagement.
Her project helped a local outreach
organization called House of Yahweh,
by listing dozens of clothing items
to their online store. The project
also implemented a sustainable
organizational system for storing
GRACIN KERRY
Medical Staff and Family- Cabin 25
Gracin’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community by
providing a place for medical staff
and their family to stay at Camp
Ronald McDonald for Good Times,
allowing for more childhood cancer
survivors and their families to
participate in camp activities.
JULIA KEZELE
Garden Patio Upgrade for Seniors
Julia’s Gold Award project addressed
the issue of the impact of COVID-19
on the senior community by
renovating the Pasadena Senior
Center’s Garden. Julia added new
plants, new river rocks around the
base of six trees, solar lights for
trees, solar pathway lights, and
market lights for their patio.
EUNICE KAY
Adulting 101
Gold Award Recipient
ABIGAIL KELLY
Fostering Equity Through Literacy
Abigail’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community by
accomplishing her original project of
building a library for a domestic violence
shelter and changing and expanding the
plan when faced with challenges. Abigail
collected over 11,000 books and provided
them to the shelter library, multiple
different organizations.
SOPHIE KESHISHIAN
Campus Sustainable Beautification
Sophie’s Gold Award project
addressed the issue of climate
change and drought by beautifying
the entrance of Taft High School using
California Native, drought-resistant
plants. Sophie held a Zoom meeting
with fellow Cubs and Brownies, to
instill the importance of saving water
at home. She created and sent Water
Conservation Tip Cards to every troop
family.
ANGELA KHADOUR
Healthy Living During Quarantine
Angela’s Gold Award project addressed
the issue of unhealthy living during
quarantine by doing workshops
with high school students. During
the workshops, Angela addressed
important topics about living healthy.
She made a brochure that she sent to
friends, family, high school students,
and her troop. Angela also created a
website.
16
 2021 GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARDEES
MIKAYLIE KIYOMURA
Storybook Garden
Gold Award Recipient
NOA KROP
Patching Together a Safe Return to
Soccer
Noa’s Gold Award project addressed
the issue of safely returning to youth
sports during the pandemic by
designing and distributing patches
to young girls’ to wear on their
masks. The coaches gave them out
to recognize leadership or mastering
a new skill to inspire girls to want to
participate, wear their masks, and
build skills while having fun. schools when they reopen.
HAILEY LAM
Reading for the Future
Hailey’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community by
starting a reading incentive program
and renovating the library at
Longfellow Elementary School. She
read virtually with students every
Friday in order to give the students
more one-on-one help. In addition,
she collected and bought new
books to expand and update the
library’s collection.
ERIN LANGNESS
The Gold Award Garden
Erin’s Gold Award project made a
difference in the community by
partnering with a local community
garden to provide them with access
to compost bins to promote a
sustainable lifestyle. Erin developed
a website for the community with
examples of ways to change habits
to live more sustainably. Erin also
led Junior troops to earn their
Gardener Badge.
17
EMILY KLAPMUST
Safety Signs for Schools
Emily’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community by
creating kid-friendly COVID-19
signage for three local elementary
schools, helping facilitate the safe
return of K–6 students to on-campus
learning during the pandemic.
SIMONE KUO
Project W.A.S.H.
Simone’s Gold Award project
addressed the issue of younger
generations lack of complying with
COVID-19 protocols by providing
health resources to local schools.
Simone designed health educational
materials, produced safety videos,
and created informative brochures
and flyers. The flyers and brochures
will be provided to partnered
HANNAH LANDSWICK
Shelter Animal Adoption Education
Hannah’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community
by creating a video with training
information and tips and a pamphlet
with important information when
adopting your canine companion.
She also hosted pet care workshops
with adopters to help them as a part
of the adoption process.
MAYA LARA
Healing Hearts Through Art
Maya’s Gold Award project made
a difference in the community by
allowing pediatric patients to be kids
and not be patients by doing arts
and crafts and having fun.
ALLISON LARRIMORE
Mental Illness: Don’t Believe the
Hype
Allison’s Gold Award project
addressed the issue of mental
illness by creating a website with
resources and support targeted
towards teens. She presented
the website at leader and troop
meetings to spread the message.
The project was important to her as
someone who personally struggles
with mental illness.
KATHERINE LEE
Health and Fitness Videos for
Elementary School Students
Katherine’s Gold Award project
made an impact on her community
by sharing her love and knowledge
of healthy living. She created a
9-video program with fun and easy
ways to exercise, stretch, and make
healthy recipes. Katherine gave
young students from 3 schools
time to grow, rest, reflect, and learn
healthy daily routines.
OLIVIA LEE
Creating Apps and Videos to Teach
Kids About Environmental Issues
Gold Award Recipient
MIKAELA LIPPON
Treadmill Desk for Working and
Learning From Home
Mikaela’s Gold Award project made
an impact on the community
by providing a way to exercise
while overcoming the challenges
of COVID-19. Mikaela taught
people how to build a treadmill
desk through holding in-person
workshops and DIY videos and has
inspired others to stay active and be
creative through exercise.
JACQUELINE MEI YEE LEE
Empowering Tri-Valley Girls in STEM
Jacqueline’s Gold Award project
addressed the issue of females in the
STEM field. Collaborating with her school
district, she planned and hosted a virtual
panel featuring women in animal science
where panelists shared about their
careers and their pathways in school. It
was shared with students and volunteers
at the Oakland Zoo.
NATALIE LEE
Live Stream for Church
Natalie’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community by
providing a live stream for her
church so elderly members could
watch services from home. She
made a booklet that explained the
live stream process and trained
church staff. She also helped elderly
church members learn how to use
the technology to access the live
streaming services.
ZOE LIN
Cleaner Oceans Project
Zoe’s Gold Award project addressed
the issue of ocean pollution by
creating a children’s book and video
educating elementary students
about the harmful effects plastic
waste has on marine life.
AMANDA LIZARRAGA
Distance Dancing
Amanda’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community by
reformating her dance community’s
practices to an online format.
Her work with the Dixon Dance
Troupe aided the community in
understanding dance is important
not only physically, but also on a
neurological level, as discussed in
her research paper.
18
 2021 GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARDEES
CHARLOTTE LOCICERO
Road to Becoming a Better
Photographer
For her Gold Award project, Charlotte
created Road to Becoming a Better
Photographer to help teens with
limited access to affordable classes,
build social skills, creativity, and
cultural awareness. Private art
classes are often expensive or not
available until high school.
ELIZABETH MANSOUR
At Home Gardening Kit
Elizabeth’s Gold Award project made
an impact on the community by
giving the homebound clients of
Foothill Unity Center something to do
and make, providing them with some
extra healthy foods, and teaching
them gardening skills.
MARY MARSH
Comfort Room
For her Gold Award project, Mary
created a separate space for the
patient’s families to grieve for
their loved one in peace, called
the Comfort Room. The room
contained a prayer box for notes,
chairs and table, magazines,
books, and brochures on hospice
and funeral services in the
surrounding counties.
THALIA MASON
Sensory Fort
Thalia’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community by
providing a safe space for special
needs students to use sensory
objects to engage with the world
around them while at school. She
made weighted stuffed animals
for the teacher to use during class
and constructed the fort in a way
that was simple to take apart and
reassemble for easy cleaning.
19
NATALIA LOGG
Project Love Yourself
Natalia’s Gold Award made an impact
on the community by informing
middle and high school students
about the importance of body
positivity and self-confidence. She
created an informational pamphlet,
a YouTube video with testimonials,
and podcasts from experts in the
field in health and fitness. Natalia
also presented to Girl Scouts and
youth groups in her community.
AUDREY MARCUS
Peace of Mind Masks
Audrey’s Gold Award project
addressed the issue of COVID-19 by
providing masks to foster families
as a way to keep them safe and
healthy during the pandemic.
Since the masks are washable,
families can use them for years to
come. technology at a young age, they are
MAYA MASAOKA
A Lifetime of Music
Maya’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community by
helping kids in her community
learn about the value of music and
how to appreciate it, and helped
them start a lifelong skill of playing
an instrument.
ELLIE MASSIMINO
Bookcases for Ascencia
Ellie’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community by
providing the children at Ascencia,
books and art supplies. She painted
and designed shelves, made coloring
books, hosted book and art supply
drives, and made lesson plans for the
children at Ascencia. Ellie hopes that
the children staying there can use
and enjoy her project.
NORA ANN MCGINITY
Improving the Food Service Area at
Saint Lawrence of Brindisi Catholic
Church
Nora’s Gold Award project made a
difference by refurbishing the area
the church uses to serve food to
those experiencing homelessness.
Nora spruced up the garden with
all-new plants, grasses and flowers.
The changes brought smiles to the
visitors and volunteers.
BROOKE MCMURREY
Makerspace Recording Studio
Brooke’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community by
empowering kids to use technology
in a fun exciting way. She helped
create and implement an audio-visual
program at the Makerspace-STEM
classroom. By exposing kids to
more likely to pursue STEM fields in
the future.
SYLVIE MEKJIAN
Happy Totes for the Tough
Sylvie’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community by
providing 60 cancer patients at
the Roy and Patricia Disney Family
Cancer Center at Providence Saint
Joseph Medical Center, with hand-
sewn tote bags. The bags were
filled with essential items that
helped ease their discomfort, and
give them a little happiness during
their chemotherapy treatments.
LINDSAY MICHELS
Paving a Brand New Path
Lindsay’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community by
giving people a space to enjoy nature
during social isolation. Lindsey
worked to maintain local neglected
trails, where her community can
now spend time outside safely and
improve their mental health during
the pandemic. She also beautified
areas of Los Angeles to promote
outdoor recreation in the city.
MACHAELA MCLAIN
Girl Power
Machaela’s Gold Award project
addressed the issue of the lack of
women in male-dominated fields
by directing a documentary that
featured women in different careers.
She interviewed 13 women from
different backgrounds and asked
them about their experiences,
journeys, and any advice they might
have to girls.
SIMRAN MEHTA
Coding for All
Simran’s Gold Award project
addressed the lack of female
involvement in STEM. She taught
young girls the basics of coding.
Her goal was to encourage girls to
consider coding as a possible career
and not be discouraged by gender
stereotypes. For 10 consecutive
weeks, Simran successfully taught
middle school girls how to use and
interpret the Unity program.
NINA MELENDREZ
Project Sponsor a Home
Gold Award Recipient
MALINA MIURA
Pen Pal Program
Malina’s Gold Award project made an
impact on her community by creating
a sustainable pen pal program
through the Culver City Sister City
Committee and Culver City High
School. The program gives students
learning Japanese and Spanish
an opportunity to meet and write
letters to students learning English in
Kaizuka, Japan and Uruapan, Mexico.
20
 2021 GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARDEES
SAYLA MIYOSHI
Keeping Our Students Safe
Sayla’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community by
educating her fellow students about
injury prevention and care. She
held online workshops, created
educational videos, and shared
resources through a webpage on
her school’s Sports Medicine Team
website. Her project reached over
300 individuals and counting.
ELLIE MOGA
Senior Citizen Socialization
Gold Award Recipient
EMIKO NAEPFLIN
Better Learning Through Improved
Nourishment
For Emiko’s Gold Award project,
she helped underserved families
facing food scarcity worsened
by the pandemic. By teaming up
with Helpline Youth Counseling,
Emiko reached out to families in
need and provided them meal kits
with ingredients and instructions.
The meal kits were designed to be
easily-recreated in the future.
ANNIE NGIAM
Word Play
Annie’s Gold Award project created
a safe place for writers online. From
aspiring writers, to those who have
experience putting pen to paper,
the Word Play website is a place
to foster writing and creativity.
Featured articles, writing prompts,
and a spotlight on community
writing, the website provides a
home for writing and writers across
the nation.
21
KARENA MO
Awareness of Pets of the Homeless
Karena’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community by
bringing awareness to the struggles
for the pets of homeless persons.
She created a website to address the
issue and held a virtual food drive to
collect pet food, beds, and supplies
for their pets. She also created
pamphlets that were displayed at pet
stores in her community about the
issue.
SELA MURPHY
Girl Sense
Sela’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community by
hosting a series of free one-hour
workshops on self-defense for
young women throughout January
2021. She invited teen girls to join
her on Zoom to learn self-defense
techniques, gain awareness, set
boundaries, and learn information
they must know in the event of an
assault.
LANA NEULANDER
Ice Age in the Computer Age
Lana’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community
by giving kids access to science
programming through the La Brea
Tar Pits during the pandemic. Lana
helped the La Brea Tar Pits Museum
develop a digital curriculum
with hands-on activities and
demonstrations.
HERA OHANNESSIAN
Toddler Outdoor Learning
Hera’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community by
creating a fun learning environment
for toddlers at AGBU Artemis
Nazarian preschool. She created
different stations with learning
activities and playsets to play and
enjoy. Children gained an education
through activity, while socializing
with their peers and being outdoors.
KEIRA OKADA
Music Theory Education for Young
Musicians
Keira’s Gold Award project made an
impact on her community by making
music theory education more
accessible for young musicians
by reaching out to students who
were a part of a nonprofit music
organization. She was able to make
an impact in their lives by providing
them with the foundations of music
theory education.
SYDNEY ORRISON
Giving History an Update
Sydney’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community
by developing a website for the
Historical Society of Pomona Valley.
The Historical Society has many
valuable resources for students and
researchers but needed a better way
to share them. Sydney created a new
website that makes the Historical
Society’s information and resources
more accessible and user-friendly.
RHIANNON PAILET
ElderLearning Music
Rhiannon’s Gold Award project
made an impact on her community
by promoting productivity, social
interaction, and happiness in
the lives of the elderly through
music therapy. She enlisted a
group of volunteers and taught
ukulele lessons. She also hosted
a Christmas ukulele show to
showcase the progress they made
during her project.
NICOLE PARKER
Building US and Japan Relations
Nicole’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community
by educating students about the
Great East Japan Earthquake and
the discrimination that Fukushima
residents faced in the aftermath.
Her project goal was to help others
understand the challenges different
populations and groups go through
and to cultivate relationships with
people of different backgrounds.
JENNA OKOHIRA
Healthy Start to a Healthy Heart
Jenna’s Gold Award project
addressed health education. She
created video workshops about
the importance of living a healthy
lifestyle and presented them to an
elementary class. She hopes the
content, which included topics such
as the Plate Method, exercise, and
common health misconceptions, will
instill a willingness to be more health
conscious.
ALEXANDRIA ORTIZ
The Golden Race
Alexandria’s Gold Award project
made a difference in her community
by giving people an outlet to stay
active and motivated while at home
during the pandemic. By posting
weekly workout videos, information
on athletics, and interviewing
volunteers about their experience in
sports. Participants could challenge
themselves by running a cumulative
eight-mile virtual race.
KARINA PARIKH
Pennekamp Online Tutoring Platform
Gold Award Recipient
MIA PAVON
Just Keep Swimming
Mia’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community
by reminding the young ladies
of the Boys and Girls Club that
they are worthy of a comfortable
safe space. Mia remodeled the
girls locker room, livening up the
place with handmade cubbies,
benches, murals, clothing hooks,
and installing small motivational
handmade paintings.
22
 2021 GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARDEES
JASMIN PETERMAN
Teach Effective Travel English and
History/Culture of Los Angeles to
Japanese Students
Gold Award Recipient
AVANTHI PILLAN
Training for the Future
Gold Award Recipient
KATELYN POOL
Closing the Technology Gap
Katie’s Gold Award project
addressed gender and age gaps in
computer science and technology.
She hosted a virtual workshop for
Junior Girl Scouts to learn basic
coding skills and met female role
models in computer science. She
hosted a virtual class teaching
social media to seniors seeking
ways to connect with their families
and friends during the pandemic.
SOFIA PRESTINE
Saving the Environment One Pet
Bed at a Time
Sofia’s Gold Award project
addressed the issue of pollution and
overconsumption by promoting the
repurposing of materials instead
of purchasing. Sofia created pet
beds made out of used textiles and
project volunteers learned about
fast fashion and pollution while
making pet beds to donate to the
Chesterfield Square Animal Shelter.
23
HANNAH PHAN
Simple Actions Create Simple Smiles
Hannah’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community by
creating an inclusiveness club at her
school. This club met daily to reduce
the gap between Special Education
students and students at her school.
They broke the ice by playing fun
icebreaker games and doing cool
crafts.
ISABELLA PIZANA
Lend a Hand
Isabella’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community
by helping women and children
survivors of domestic violence and
bringing awareness of the issue to
her community.
NAOMI PORTER
EntrepreYOUership
Naomi’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community by
providing free entrepreneurial
education to youth. Her project has
served over 600 youth through 30+
workshops equipping young people
with an entrepreneurial mindset.
Her advocacy and Gold Award work
has been featured in Forbes, Girl
Talk HQ, and Voyage LA Magazine.
FRANCESCA PUCCINELLI
Navigating Social Media
Francesca’s Gold Award project
addressed the issue of the dangers of
social media by creating a workshop
that teaches young girls how to safely
navigate the internet. In addition, she
also created a website that contains
resources that guide girls through
specific issues involving social media.
GIOVANNA QUEVEDO
A Kid’s Guide to Radiation Therapy
Giovanna’s Gold Award project
made an impact on her community
by adressing the need for age-
appropriate, resources on radiation
therapy in the pediatric cancer
community. After researching,
writing and publishing her book,
she partnered with 12 hospitals
and organizations to provide her
resources to over 45,000 patients
and families.
ELANAH RAE
Kali’s Journey
Elanah’s Gold Award project raised
awareness about inhumane living
conditions for dogs. She raised
money to fly a dog from Korea and
fostered the dog for two months
while educating members of her
community about the issue.
SAVANNAH RANGEL
You Mean Something
Savannah’s Gold Award project
addressed the issue of mental
health in middle school students
by writing positive messages on
the bathroom stalls. She did this
by first painting the stalls bright,
beautiful colors and painting fun
designs on them. She then wrote
different hotlines for students to
call or text if they need help.
MIA RISIGLIONE
Comfort Is Happiness
Mia’s Gold Award project made an
impact on her community by giving
hope to those children with cancer
and their families going through a
difficult time. She was dedicated
and determined in reassuring these
children that they were not battling
this journey alone. Seeing the
smile on those kids faces as they
received their care packages made
her project worthwhile.
MICHELLE RACHMAT
Comfortably Waiting
Michelle’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community by
providing recliners, charging station,
and Google Chromecast for families
in the surgical waiting area of a local
medical facility. She also made 132
activity bags for siblings the patients
getting out of surgery. The activity
bags were in three categories: art,
school supplies, and toys.
ALEXA RAHARDJO
Educate626
Alexa’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community by
unifying various generations and
ethnic communities by spreading
awareness about current political
and social topics in native
languages.
ALLISON RAYER
Virtual Summer Camp
Allison’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community by
providing kids with a COVID-safe
summer camp. Allison worked with
La Canada Presbyterian Church to
convert their annual Vacation Bible
School into an online experience
with daily small group Zoom calls
and a Shaved Ice truck event. She
planned curriculum, and created
videos with craft and STEM projects.
JOELY RODGRIGUEZ
Bonding Dolls
Joely’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community by
bringing moms closer to their
premature babies. She partnered
with others to create dolls in the
mom’s shirt for 12 hours to pick up
the mom’s scent. The dolls were
placed next to the premature baby
in the incubator simulating the
mom being able to hold the baby.
24
 2021 GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARDEES
REBEKAH RUDDER
Softball… Always Let It Fly, Never
Let It Die
Rebekah’s Gold Award Project
titled Softball… Always Let It Fly,
Never Let It Die addresses the
issue of lack of support for softball
players, especially the ones who
start late in the sport. Rebekah
created a website for all softball
players to use as a resource to find
educational videos, inspirational
stories, and skill-building exercises.
AMANDA RUSH BOVA
Elizabeth House Art Mural and
Vegetable Garden
Amanda’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community by
planting a sustainable garden for
residents at Elizabeth House and
painting a mural in the therapy
room. The mural reads, “It is Well
with my Soul, Be Still and know that
I am God,” to uplift the pregnant
women receiving counseling.
CARLY SABOURIN
How to Love Yourself
Gold Award Recipient
TALEEN SAMPLE
There With Care Teen Ambassador
Program
Taleen’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community by
connecting There with Care, an
organization providing support to
families of children facing critical
illness, with students and volunteers.
Through lunch and learns, events
and collection drives, Taleen inspired
youth to advocate and contiribute to
the families growing support system.
25
ALEXANDRA RUNNELS
Musical Mentors
Alexandra’s Gold Award project made
a difference in the community by
giving elementary band students
free music lessons from high school
students. Not only did the elementary
students notice improvement in their
musicianship, but it strengthened the
bond between the younger and older
band students. It also encouraged
students to continue with band.
MAGGIE RYAN
Be Mindful and Meditate
Maggie’s Gold Award project made an
impact on her community by creating
mental health resources through a
website. Her website included guided
meditations, ways to relieve stress,
and information about mindfulness.
Her school guidance counselor used
her resources to help students gain
access to important mental well-being
methods.
SAMANTHA SALAZ
Strongertogether.com
Gold Award Recipient
OLIVIA SANCHEZ
Visual Dictionaries in American Sign
Language and Spanish
Olivia’s Gold Award project made an
impact on her community by providing
assistance to families of Deaf and Hard
of Hearing students at Pennekamp
Elementary School. She made a 70-page
dictionary in English and Spanish with
American Sign Language signs providing
both print and digital copies for at home
and classroom use.
KAILEE JANE SAWAI
Cultural Roots and Eats
Kailee’s Gold Award project
addressed the issue of loss of
cultural identity by hosting cooking
workshops to target a part of their
cultural heritage--the food.
BROOKE SCHWABE
One Kick at a Time
Brooke’s Gold Award project
addressed the issue of a loss in
physical fitness in children by
providing a free, online class that all
kids could attend from home.
MAYA SHEKLOW
A Look Into Down Syndrome
Gold Award Recipient
ASHLEY SIBBREL
Reintroducing STEAM to Students
Ashley’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community by
introducing kids to the world of
STEAM. Ashley created a modified,
COVID-friendly curriculum, allowing
elementary school students to
perform STEAM experiments at
home. Ashley hopes to expand the
curriculum she developed into new
school districts for other students to
use across the nation.
MARY SAYER
Give Blue Go Green
Mary’s Gold Award project addressed
textile waste and the clothing needs
of the homeless. She educated
others on the environmental impact
of fast fashion. She also held a denim
drive to provide a local homeless
service center, Friends in Deed,
with durable jeans, and to donate
denim to be used for insulation in
low-income housing through Cotton’s
Blue Jeans Go Green organization.
AMANDA SCOVILLE
A Creative Space for the Arts at La
Canada High School
Amanda’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community by
refurbishing her school’s photography/
graphic arts room. She painted the
classroom, supplied new tables,
chairs, shelves, cabinets, monitors
and organized supplies. The updated
workplace allows for more collaboration
and creativity between teacher and
students.
DREW SHINOZAKI
Spiraling Sonder
Drew’s Gold Award project made an
impact on her community by introducing
Title I middle school children to the
joys of creative writing and importance
of self-expression. Drew organized a
creative writing workshop, online literary
magazine, and writing competitions to
emphasize the importance of written
communication skills.
AUDREY SIOENG
Creative Expression Community Youth
Project
Audrey’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community by
introducing students to creative writing.
She organized workshops in partnership
with Arcadia Library to teach middle
and high school students the basics of
journaling, songwriting, short stories,
and poetry. Audrey also created a
blog to provide young writers further
resources and advice.
26
 2021 GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARDEES
ISABELLA SOLORZA
Mindfulness Center
Isabella’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community by
at the counseling center at Euclid
Elementary School in Boyle Heights.
Isabella made colorful wrap-around
benches to give the area some life.
She attached bamboo chimes to
surrounding trees creating a more
relaxing outdoor space perfect for
students to reconnect and seek
emotional support.
DANA SORENSEN
Hands-on Educational Gardens for
Kindergartners
Dana’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community by
designing and constructing four
hardy planter boxes, fundraising
for planting materials such as the
seeds, soil, and drainage rocks and
matching watering cans. She also
created an original lesson plan, stop
motion video, and coloring sheet.
ERIN STUTENROTH
Supporting Literacy in Juvenile
Detention Centers
Gold Award Recipient
MAHEILIA THOMAS
Walk This Way- A Story Adventure
Maheilia’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community by
promoting children’s literacy. Her
project provided a fun, new way
for children and families to enjoy
reading. The Story Adventure also
allowed families to enjoy time
outside together while in the midst
of the pandemic.
27
ALEXANDRIA SORENSEN
Awareness to the First Aid Needs of the
Homeless
Gold Award Recipient
SUMMER SPENCER
MHF Injury Prevention for
Communities
Summer’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community by
providing local schools direction
on ways to survive an accidental
release of toxic chemicals from the
Torrance Refinery. Working with
a local engineer and scientist to
author protocols, she encouraged
science teachers to incorporate the
guidance into their curriculum.
MICHELLE TAN
Bilingual Program for Preschools
Michelle’s Gold Award project
made an impact on the community
by empowering preschoolers to
connect with both American and
Chinese aspects of their identity.
Michelle wrote and illustrated short
bilingual stories to teach kids in
an entertaining way and created
interactive card games and manual
to help educators continue to use
the method.
SHELBI THOMAS
Soccer Skills
Shelbi’s Gold Award project made an
impact on her community by helping
kids learn how to play soccer. Shelbi
is passionate about providing equal
access to children so that they have
the opportunity to experience new
and exciting things.
KAITLIN TOM
Crafting Literacy
Kaitlin’s Gold Award project
addressed the issue of low literacy
rates in Africa by creating a library
in Malawi. Kaitlin collected and
donated 1,188 books including
reading comprehension questions
and crafts. Through Kaitlin’s project,
Pre-K through fourth grade Malawian
students will have the resources and
opportunity to learn how to read.
SARA TORRES
Disease and Virus Awareness Bins
Gold Award Recipient
KATELYN TRUONG
Disaster Defense
Katelyn’s Gold Award project
addressed the issue of natural
disaster preparation by helping a
local school, Saint Euphrasia, raise
money and purchase supplies to
create disaster kits for the faculty
and classrooms. She also helped
educate the community by posting
informative videos online about
procedures during earthquakes,
fires, and lockdown scenarios.
JENEE TURNER
Sorting Through Stress
Jenee’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community by
giving women in a local group home
a clean and organized place to
get clothes and personal hygiene
items. She has also aided them in
de-stressing though their recovery
by providing videos on how to relax
through yoga.
ELIZABETH TON
Reading Empowerment
Elizabeth’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community by
providing a library to the Hope of
the Valley Homeless Shelters. She
worked to make the common room
a brighter, more welcoming place to
read, established a reading incentive
program, and hosted reading
sessions on Zoom.
ANDIE TOTH
Butterfly Community Garden
Gold Award Recipient
SARA TRUONG
Once a Chef Always a Chef
Gold Award Recipient
ZOE TURNER
GirlCode: Expanding Coding for
Minority Girls
Zoe’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community by
recognizing and celebrating women
in STEM fields, and by creating her
own STEM club for coding.
28
 2021 GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARDEES
MAEGAN UNG
Let’s Recycle Together!
Maegan’s Gold Award project
addressed the issue of climate
change by creating educational
materials for kids at Hugo Reid
Elementary school. Maegan donated
decorative recycling bins to promote
recycling and created vinyl banners
illustrating how to combat climate
change by changing 7 habits to
encouraging more responsible
student habits.
SAVANNA VANDER
HEUL
Happiness on Four Hooves
Savanna’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community
by working with a non-profit that
provides emotional support for the
mentally impaired with miniature
horses. She helped the organization
raise the funds needed to supply
merchandise like t-shirts, so that the
organization can raise more funds to
help those in need.
KAYLEE VILLALOBOS
Donate Today and Make Her Day
Kaylee’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community by
taking steps to stop the “pink tax.”
She created over 100 healthcare
packages for women who were
in need of menstrual products.
Through her project, Kaylee
reached over 200 people.
CAITLIN WANG
The Power of Leadership
Caitlin’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community
by educating elementary-aged
kids about the importance of
discovering the leader within them.
She designed digital banners for an
elementary school and held story
time and workshop programs at a
local library, teaching kids how to
empower themselves and approach
situations with confidence.
29
LINA URQUIZA
Mural at College View
Lina’s Gold Award project made an
impact on her community by creating
an “Aloha” themed mural on the
playground of a school for children with
unique abilities as well as donating art
supplies to the art program at College
View. Lina enjoyed interacting with
the students one-on-one as well as
educating others about this incredible
school and all that it does.
JENNA VANDEVENTER
Practice for Percussion
Jenna’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community by
implementing an area for students
to further their music education.
With the help of her team, she
built and remodeled an old storage
classroom into a place for her peers
to practice and learn.
KRISTEN VITOLO
Plastic Free Schools!
Kristen’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community by
installing a water bottle filling
station at her high school, leading
an environmental club on campus,
and creating a website to educate
young people about plastic pollution
and provide resources on how to get
involved.
ASHLEY WARD
Tying Generations Together With Love
Ashley’s Gold Award project made
an impact on her community by
providing the elderly with crafting
classes that helped improve their
mental health, fine motor skills, and
cognitive ability. Belmont residents
made baby blankets donated to
newborns at the Harbor UCLA NICU,
and paper flowers used to decorate
the Torrance Memorial Hospital
Transitional Care Center, at the class.
LEILANI WIDJAJA
Preschool Building Improvement
Leilani’s Gold Award project made
a difference in the community by
inspiring young children to pursue
their curiosity about art, teach
them about different areas of the
world, broaden their knowledge, and
improve the school’s interior.
OLIVIA WILSON
The Build to More Building
Olivia’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community by
helping preschoolers get in touch
with working with their hands and
plant life. The plant wall will be
used to increase environmental
learning hands-on experiences in
preschool.
JOLIE WITKOWSKI
Literacy Book Boxes
Jolie’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community by
constructing, painting, and installing
fun book boxes located in front
of two local elementary schools
and filling them with books. By the
system of “Take a Book, Leave a
Book” the sustainability of the book
boxes can persist for many years to
come.
REBECCA WONG
Electricity and Circuits for Young
Students
Rebecca’s Gold Award project
addressed the lack of STEAM
programs for young students by
founding an 8-week after-school
program at her local elementary
school. Using her own cirriculum,
she taught students engineering
principles and to build their own
breadboard circuits with the goal of
fostering excitement for STEAM.
GRACE WILLIAMSON
Hospital Heroes With Capes and
Crowns
Gold Award Recipient
ALLISON
WITHERSPOON
Healthy Eating and Long Term
Happiness (H.E.A.L.T.H)
Gold Award Recipient
KATELYN WONG
Beyond Books
Katelyn’s Gold Award project made
a difference in her community by
giving parents & caregivers the tools
to encourage their children to read.
She wrote a book and developed a
curriculum, holding workshops with
parents and teachers of Monterey Park,
Christian School on understanding the
components of children’s literature
and how to connect with their children
through books.
EMILY WOO
Japanese Americans: The Untold
Story
Emily’s Gold Award project made an
impact on her community by writing
a book capturing the history of the
founders of the San Fernando Valley
Japanese American Community
Center. Together with interview
footage of members of the SFVJACC,
future genertions and leaders can
understand SFVJACC , and what it has
represented through history.
30
 2021 GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARDEES
CONGRATULATIONS
CHRISTINA XU IRIS XU
Mental Wellness Center Fight Against COVID-19

Christina’s Gold Award project
made an impact on her community
by bringing awareness to mental
health issues in students and
designing a space in First Avenue
Middle School for students to use
during times of need.
ELLA YEE
A Healthier You
Iris’ Gold Award project made an impact
on her community by creating 100 self-
care packages for healthcare workers
at USC Keck Medicine. She also donated
TO THE 2021
200 N95 masks and alcohol wipes. She
also taught 3 workshops to younger Girl GOLD AWARD GIRL SCOUTS
Scouts about staying safe and how to
create earsavers to donate to Foothills
Unity Center. Thank you for inspiring us with your creativity, tenacity,
and passion for making the world a better place.
PRU YONTRARAK
Cyber Defenders

Ella’s Gold Award project impacted Pru’s Gold Award project made an impact
WE’RE SO PROUD OF YOU.
her community by teaching on her community by encouraging more
children about the benefits of a girls to take STEM classes, and eventually
healthy lifestyle. Ella hosted virtual to enter the STEM field. She trained girls
workshops for fourth grade students through one-on-one mentorships and
at Holly Avenue, and posted daily training, allowing young girls to gain
recipes and activities on her website, confidence and realize their potential and
where she encouraged kids to capabilities in STEM, which boys normally BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMUNITY MEMBERS
embrace a healthier lifestyle. She dominate.
also presented to the Arcadia School
Board to promote her website.
Mia Britel Patrick Amos
CHLOE YOUNG VALERIE YUEH Juanita Dawson Anna Armstrong
Staying Connected A Healthy Journey
Erin Dawkins, Secretary Dean Catalano
Chloe’s Gold Award project made Valerie’s Gold Award project made a
an impact on her community by Elisabeth Dick Jane Chamberlin
difference in her community by spreading
providing a platform for Soroptimist, awareness on the importance of physical Monique Earl Patricia A. Crider
a women’s empowerment and mental health. She addressed
organization, to spread their goal of numerous topics including healthy eating Renee White Fraser Lynn Forese
improving the lives of women and basics, health-related diseases, exercise,
girls by empowering them and giving sickness prevention, and mental health. Denise Gutches, Vice Chair Linda Griffey
them the resources they need to She used social media to engage and
fulfill their dreams. collaborate with her audience. Dr. Judy Ho Sandra R. Klein
Sue Callaway Kelly Kathryn E. Nielsen
Bill Nelson Kathy Richards
Jim Niemiec Karin Berger Stellar
Erin Oremland Shelley B. Thompson
Andy Park Mieke Velghe
Ellen E. Swarts, Chair Arlene Falk Withers
Anna Tom
Tania Van Herle, Vice Chair
Michelle C. Wroan, Treasurer

31 32
GIRLSCOUTSLA.ORG

33