The Girl Scouts of Western New York held the annual Girl Scout Gold Award Ceremony on June 7, distributing the Girl Scout Gold Award to 88 recipients at Salvatore's Italian Gardens in Depew.
Special guest Mary McLean Wilson, wife of Buffalo Bills Owner Ralph Wilson, Jr., delivered the keynote speech about leadership, community service, and goal setting to nearly 300 guests.
"You have been able to use your leadership skills…to bring people together to impact your community," Wilson said. "Ralph (Wilson) and I congratulate you."
Mrs. Wilson concluded her speech with the announcement that she and husband Ralph would contribute two scholarships annually to the Girl Scouts of Western New York for distribution to girls who earn the Girl Scout Gold Award.
The Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting, represents a culmination of leadership skills, career exploration and community service by Girl Scouts ages 15-18. The Gold Award is earned by less than 6 percent of eligible Girl Scouts nationally.
Projects displayed on Sunday represented more than 5,720 cumulative hours of community service in nine counties of Western New York. Girls were charged to select their own cause, with projects addressing the environment, childhood obesity, homelessness, and education.
In addition to the prestigious Gold Award, the Girl Scouts of Western New York also distributed the Kimberly A. Welsh Scholarship, the Hans & Charlene Schoenenberger "Golden Opportunity" Scholarship, and the Girl Scouts of Western New York Educational Scholarship to nine girls for their achievements.
For more information on how to join, volunteer, donate, or reconnect to Girl Scouts of Western New York, visit http://www.gswny.org.
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