Girl Scouts of Western New York is proud to announce Monica Weber of Avon, NY, as a 2019 Gold Award Girl Scout. Weber’s project was titled “Words of Encouragement App.”

Weber explained, “I collaborated with my computer teacher, school psychologist, health teacher, other students, and my Gold Award Advisor, Ms. Jolene. The purpose of this project was to help high school students learn safe and healthy ways to prevent and cope with the stresses and anxieties of high school. In my app, I supplied quotes, music suggestions, time management techniques, exercises, calming techniques, and phone numbers in case extra help was needed. I had to do research to learn coping techniques, such as the best way to calm people down in a panic attack. I also had to design and code my app by using MIT app inventor and collaborating with my computer teacher. Lastly, I had to publish my app to the Google Play Store and advertise it around my school and Instagram page.”

Weber added, “I never knew 12 years ago, how much Girl Scouts was going to make a difference in my life, instilling a love for service. Ever since I was a little girl, all I wanted to do was to make a difference in the world. I was able to see how easy it is to give up just a little bit of my time to make others smile and that has carried over into my college career already. Girl Scouts showed me how important it is to be an effective communicator. This skill has already helped me in job interviews and college networking. I am now able to respectfully state my opinion in a group of people and am not afraid to step up to the plate and become a leader. Because of Girl Scouts, I have been given the ability to believe that girls and women can make a difference. I’ve met highly successful women who are happy in their careers. Seeing these women has shown that I am not limited by my gender. Girl Scouts has given me the ability to call all of the girls in my troop my sisters. Our bond has grown so strong and I know that if any of us ever needed anything, there would be 11 girls rushing to our side, plus my two troop leaders.”

Weber will receive her Gold Award at the Gold Award Ceremony on June 1, 2019. The Girl Scout Gold Award is the most prestigious award in the world for girls.

The Gold Award project is the culmination of all the work a girl puts into “going for the Gold.” A Girl Scout’s project should be something that a girl can be passionate about—in thought, deed, and action that encompasses organizational, leadership, and networking skills. The project should also fulfill a need within a girl’s community (whether local or global) and create change that has the potential to be on-going or sustainable. Approximately 80 hours of community service are involved in the project. Completion of the Gold Award also qualifies the Girl Scout for special scholarship opportunities and to enter the military a full rank higher than her peers.

The Girl Scout Gold Award, the most prestigious award in the world for girls, acknowledges the power behind each recipient’s dedication to not only empowering and bettering herself, but also to making the world a better place for others. These young women are courageous leaders and visionary change makers.

The Gold Award requires a Girl Scout to identify an issue and investigate it to understand what can be done to address the problem. The girl then forms a team to act as a support system, including a project advisor close to the issue who is not a troop leader or family member, while she leads the project. The Girl Scout creates a plan to ensure they know what steps they must tackle while working on the project. The Girl Scout submits a proposal for her project to her local Girl Scout council. After acceptance, the girl begins to work through the steps of their plan utilizing the assistance of her support team where necessary. Lastly, the project is used to educate and inspire others about the cause they are addressing.

To learn more, visit gswny.org.