The Gold Award is the highest honor a Girl Scout can achieve, representing extraordinary leadership, service, and initiative. Earning the award requires a minimum of 80 hours dedicated to planning and leading a sustainable service project that addresses a community issue. This year, we proudly celebrate seven remarkable young women from our area who went above and beyond to turn their passions into impactful change. Each of their projects exemplifies the courage, confidence, and character that define the Girl Scout mission.
Anneliese Hsiao – South Florida Pet Safety
Troop 10088 | Class of 2026 | 170+ hours
Anneliese Hsiao, an aspiring veterinarian, launched South Florida Pet Safety to educate pet owners about local threats not typically addressed in mainstream pet safety guides, like bufo toads, alligators, heatstroke, and hurricane-related dangers. Partnering with the Humane Society of Broward County, she wrote and published a safety book, now distributed with each pet adoption. She also established a pre-vet club, led workshops, and developed a social media campaign via @PetSafety.SouthFL. Anneliese’s work has already reached more than 4,000 individuals, with 99% reporting they feel more equipped to protect their pets. Her project continues to grow, earning her state-level recognition in Girl Scouts and HOSA. She invites all pet parents to follow her campaign and help spread awareness.
Julia Saff – Memory Lane Music Project!
Troop 10383 | Class of 2024 | 125+ hours
Music has the power to heal, and Julia Saff harnessed that power to bring joy to seniors in care facilities. Through Memory Lane Music Project!, Julia organized four live music concerts performed by student volunteers, providing emotional enrichment and reducing loneliness among residents. She captured reactions through videos and caregiver feedback, noting increased engagement and reduced agitation. Her clarinet performances—and those of her peers—sparked eye contact, smiles, and conversations. Julia also developed an online resource board to help others replicate her program, ensuring music continues to be a source of connection and comfort.
Kylin Reynolds – Let’s Get Physical! Promoting Healthy Lives and Well-Being
Troop 10088 | Class of 2026 | 105 hours
Kylin Reynolds tackled the growing problem of youth inactivity with Let’s Get Physical!, a children’s book that promotes the physical and mental benefits of exercise. The story follows kids discovering how movement helps their bodies and minds. She collected feedback from students, teachers, and parents to fine-tune the book’s message and distributed it to school libraries and online platforms. Through presentations and social media, Kylin hopes to inspire a lifelong love of healthy habits in children, helping them build strong bodies and confident minds.
Mimi Prodhomme – Girls On the Go
Troop 10088 | Class of 2025 | 87 hours
After witnessing the impact of car trouble on her sister, Mimi Prodhomme created Girls On the Go to empower teen girls with essential car maintenance knowledge. Her project included hands-on workshops, instructional videos, and a comprehensive booklet available both in print and digitally. By demystifying topics like checking oil, changing tires, and understanding warning lights, Mimi has equipped her peers with skills for independence and safety. The car that inspired the project now serves as her daily reminder of responsibility and resilience.
Sophia I. Diaz – Shark-In-A-Box
Troop 10811 | Class of 2025 | 94 hours
With Shark-In-A-Box, Sophia Diaz turned her passion for marine biology into an educational toolkit that combats misconceptions about sharks and promotes ocean conservation. She created interactive curriculum boxes for grades K-5, each filled with hands-on activities and lesson plans. Her program was implemented in five Weston-area schools and shared with local Girl Scout troops. Surveys showed that 100% of students learned something new, and nearly half felt less afraid of sharks afterward. Sophia’s innovative approach inspires young learners to become stewards of the sea. Learn more at SharkInABox.com.
Victoria Valdivieso – A Day at the Hospital
Troop 10811 | Class of 2025 | 160+ hours
Victoria Valdivieso’s personal experience with hospitalization led her to write A Day at the Hospital, a bilingual children’s book designed to ease the fears of young patients. With animated characters and engaging dialogue, the book explains common medical procedures in a comforting, child-friendly way. Distributed to hospitals locally, nationally, and internationally—including in Peru—the book has reached over 1,000 children. Victoria collaborated with child-life specialists to ensure the content met real needs, making a lasting difference in pediatric care.
Valerie Niksa – Looking Forward, Looking Back
Troop 10393 | Class of 2026 | 111 hours
Valerie Niksa explored the topic of self-esteem in girls through a creative blend of media in Looking Forward, Looking Back. She produced a short film comparing the confidence of younger and older girls by asking them the same questions, revealing how self-perception changes with age. Valerie also authored a children’s book using photos from group activities to highlight intergenerational friendships. Her project promotes mental health awareness and the power of connection. Her film and book are accessible on her YouTube channel and in the library at Indian Trace Elementary.
Each of these exceptional young women identified a need in their community and took initiative to address it with empathy, creativity, and leadership. Their Gold Award projects not only showcase their individual talents but also leave a lasting legacy. We salute their achievements and look forward to the continued impact they will have on the world.