Girl Scouts of Nassau County recently recognized Diani Williams, a recent graduate of Westbury High School and incoming student at Nassau Community College, for earning the Gold Award, the highest and most prestigious award within the Girl Scouts Movement. In order to be eligible for a Gold Award, a Girl Scout must have completed two Girl Scout Senior or Ambassador Journeys or have already received the Silver Award and completed one additional Journey. The Gold Award also requires the completion of 80-hours or more of an individual leadership Take Action project that makes a sustainable and measurable impact on an important issue or need in the community and that serves to educate and inspire others.
Williams’ Girl Scout Gold Award Take Action Project, “Obesity vs. Healthy Food,” addressed the issue of obesity, which has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the last 30 years. Williams created a healthy eating marketing campaign that included a DVD, website and brochure that was distributed to staff, parents and students at multiple locations, including her school, the Town of Hempstead Black History Program, West Hills Baptist Church, and the “Yes We Can” Community Center. The materials she provided were also posted online to promote the program and encourage healthy choices among children outside her community as well. Williams also created appealing, healthy recipes and conducted several workshops in both Nassau and Suffolk County.
“Earning the Gold Award is an incredible achievement that only five percent of all Girl Scouts nationwide obtain,” said Donna Ceravolo, executive director and CEO of the Girl Scouts of Nassau County. “We are all so proud of the Gold Award recipients. Their hard work and dedication is truly admirable.”
This award recognizes the Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts for their leadership skills and excellence and must be completed before or during the Girl Scout’s senior year in high school. To the majority of the girls receiving the Gold Award, it serves as the peak of their Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
