Girl Scouts River Valleys Honors 2023 Highest Awards Recipients
June 09, 2023
Each year, Girl Scouts River Valleys honors our council's newest Silver Award and Gold Award recipients at Highest Awards Celebrations. This year, we hosted two events: One at Minnesota State University, Mankato on Sunday, May 21, and one at Augsburg University on Sunday, June 4. In these events we honored 527 awardees that invested 15,600 hours in their projects. Family, friends, and Girl Scout volunteers were there to celebrate these outstanding Girl Scouts, with more than 300 people at both events.
Each event included a ceremony and short reception. Two 2023 Gold Award Girl Scouts served as the emcee for each event, accompanied by volunteer members of the Highest Award Committee. At the MNSU Mankato ceremony, Girl Scouts River Valleys CEO Marisa C. Williams delivered inspirational and congratulatory remarks to the award recipients. At Augsburg University, this role was filled by Girl Scouts River Valleys Board Chair Jane Canney, who shared this message with the awardees:
“Today isn’t just about the [Silver/Gold] award…It’s about you empowering girls across our region to realize their goals. Girl Scouts teaches us that in life we celebrate the whole journey, not just the final destination. Please know that everyone in the River Valleys community is excited to see you shine! Silver and Gold Award Girl Scouts: The future is brighter because of your work.”
The Projects
At the event, each Girl Scout shared a short summary of their project—project topics included environmental conservation, advocacy, health, mental health & wellness, wildlife protection, community restoration, service to veterans, service to the elderly, literacy expansion, global educational partnerships, and more. The Girl Scouts then received their official award pin and certificate, along with a commemorative miniature succulent plant to take home.
The Awardees
This year our council is honored to celebrate 29 Gold Award recipients, 120 Silver Award recipients and 368 Bronze Awards recipient's for a total of 517 Highest Awards earned in 2022-2023. With their projects, these remarkable Girl Scouts invested over 15,600 hours solving community issues and making the world a better place.
What are the Highest Awards?
The Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards are the highest, most prestigious awards a Girl Scout can earn. To earn a highest award, each Girl Scouts chooses a community issue they feel passionate about, identify its root cause, and address the issue with a creative, sustainable, and measurable solution.
The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest award that a Junior Girl Scout (grades 4-5) can achieve and the third highest award in Girl Scouting. Bronze Award recipients are recognized by their troop, service unit, and/or family and friends. The Bronze Award is often the steppingstone in a Girl Scout’s journey towards their Silver and Gold Award.
The Girl Scout Silver Award is the highest award that a Cadette Girl Scout (grades 6-8) can achieve and the second highest award in Girl Scouting. Out of all the eligible Girl Scout members who can earn this award, approximately 10 percent earn a Silver Award. Cadette Girl Scouts can earn their Silver Award as an individual or in a group of 4 or fewer, and they invest at least 50 hours in their project to create a lasting impact in their community.
The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest honor in Girl Scouting. It has been in existence since 1912 and has been called several different names over the years: the Golden Eaglet, Curved Bar and First Class, but in 1980 it was officially renamed the Gold Award. Less than 6% of eligible Girl Scouts earn this prestigious award. The Gold Award is earned by Senior or Ambassador Girl Scouts who are in 9th through 12th grade. A Gold Award Girl Scout identifies a community issue, explores why the issue is happening, creates an action plan to solve the issue, builds a team and ensures it is sustainable. Girl Scouts invest a minimum of 80 hours in their project.
Learn more about the Highest Awards.
