Not All Heroes Wear Capes. Some Wear Badges.

Receiving the Girl Scout Gold Award is a big accomplishment for seniors Anne Marie Licata and Kalani Briggs. This award is the most prestigious awards a Girl Scout can obtain. To achieve the Gold Award, a young woman in high school must identify an issue and take action in finding a solution in her own unique way.

Delivering heating pads to nursing mothers at Ochsner Hospital, senior Annemarie Licata completes her Girl Scout Gold Award project. By sewing 100 heating pads to help alleviate the pain of breast-feeding, Licata addressed a meaningful issue and earned the Girl Scouts’ most prestigious award. “I enjoy giving back to my community, and Girl Scouts gives me many opportunities to do so,” said Licata.

To earn the Gold Award, Girl Scouts identify and find a solution to an issue important to her. The seven-step process begins in the planning process and ends with carrying out the solution. As her final project, Licata sewed 100 heating pads for breast-feeding mothers at Ochsner Hospital to help alleviate their pain.

Being a Girl Scout for twelve years has taught Licata the importance of giving to others.  She has also learned the value of being a leader in her community. “It has taught me how to speak out in my community and address what needs to be changed,” said Licata.

To accomplish her Gold Award goal, Briggs is collecting prom dresses to distribute to high schoolers who cannot afford to buy such a garment. She will receive her award this spring

From a young age, many think that they are unable to make changes in their community but being a Girl Scout has helped Briggs think differently. “No matter how small we think something is, it can mean the world to someone else,” said Briggs. “So, don’t get discouraged and stop because you aren’t making an impact because even if it is only to one person you are making a difference.”

  • Jennifer Yrle