Girl Scouts may be 104 years old, but the organization continues to deliver relevant, modern experiences that build leaders right here in our community.

This year was an incredible year for local Girl Scouts. Not only did 48 young women earn the highest award in Girl Scouting (the Gold Award), but one local girl earned the prestigious national Girl Scout Medal of Honor for saving a friend’s life using skills she learned while pursuing her first aid badge.

“I learned the Heimlich maneuver as a Brownie in third grade,” recalls 6th grader Abby Egawa, adding, “I did not think I would ever be faced with an emergency like this, but I do remember thinking to myself that the Heimlich maneuver was important and that I should pay attention.” Abby and her grateful friend Rosie Helft were interviewed on local television stations to talk about the harrowing experience and Abby’s quick thinking.

Just last month, two young leaders from Sacramento were recognized as “National Young Women of Distinction.”  Each year, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) confers special honors on just ten young women who personify the organization’s goal of building girls of courage, confidence and character through their Gold Award projects. They are considered the organization’s best and brightest young leaders, and the fact that two of them are from Northern California is an unprecedented honor.

Ayana Watkins, a senior and student body president at Christian Brothers High School, planned and executed a symposium for 200 underserved Sacramento youth entitled “Education Matters in Black Lives,” to address the issue of the academic Achievement Gap and the need for educational support to ensure the success of African American youth.

Her symposium included a collegiate panel of students of color and a YouTube channel that carried her message on a digital platform. Ayana believes that education is an antidote to poverty and social injustice. Through the successful implementation of her Girl Scout Gold Award project, Ayana has made a difference in her community and changed the world through education. “I learned that my voice matters and that I can make a difference in society,” she said. “I was able to create something that could address an issue, benefit others and make a positive change.”

Leyna Reynolds set her sights on making California roadways safer for new drivers. Noting the high number of accidents involving inexperienced drivers, Leyna developed a program by which new drivers could post “Student Driver” decals to let other drivers know there is a newbie behind the wheel. Leyna created the decals and distributed them through a teen driver advocacy group (Impact Teen Driver) and at local driving schools and insurance companies.  She even developed a partnership with Mothers Against Drunk Driving!

She worked with California Assemblymember Kansen Chu, who introduced Assembly Bill 2322 to make these decals available to all permit holders while they practice their skills. She has been able to testify before the California Legislature in support of the bill. “The Gold Award experience helped me to grow myself as a person,” says Reynolds, who plans to major in international relations after graduating from C.K. McClatchy High School next June. “I learned that, with enough perseverance and hard work, anyone can change the world.” Even though it didn’t pass this year, the author of the bill plans to reintroduce it next year.

Ayana and Leyna were honored at a national celebration in Philadelphia and received national recognition as well as college scholarships. They will now have the opportunity to serve as representatives of Girl Scouts across the nation, inspiring girls to find their passions and work to change the world, just like they did.

Starting as young at 5 years old, girls have “fun with purpose,” gaining valuable life skills, sharing new experiences while having fun and building friendships! In addition to leadership, the organization offers great camps, STEAM opportunities and financial literacy programs.

There is always room for more girls in local troops, year-round. To learn more about Girl Scouting, to join a troop or to volunteer, visit Girl Scouts Heart of Central California at girlscoutshcc.org or 800.322.GIRL.