Girl Scouts of Western New York is proud to announce Alexandra Snow of Buffalo, NY, as a 2021 Gold Award Girl Scout. Alexandra is from Troop 30028 and has been a member of Girl Scouts for 12 years.

What Alexandra said about Girl Scouts

Girl Scouting has allowed me to make lifelong friendships in times when I really needed them. It created an outlet away from school to be creative and share my successes with others. I learned about different cultures, traveled to different countries, and cultivated my love of food. I was able to try all different types of activities without the fear of judgement.

Project: Bentley/Starr Cemetery History and Restoration

I worked on the Bentley/Starr cemetery in Goshen, CT which is where my grandparents live. The cemetery is a small family plot but has a deep rooted history in the town. I spent time cleaning up the cemetery and scrubbing the gravestones and then took pictures of the result.

I then completed an in-depth research project in which I enlisted the help of various town employees. I spoke to everyone from the mayor to the cemetery sexton. The cemetery was completely overgrown with weeds and the headstones were in total disrepair. It was vital to create an appreciation for this small family burial ground.

The biggest skill I put into practice was communication. It was vital for me to communicate with those helping me. I enjoy researching about history and when you dive into the topic, it is captivating. I also learned that I have to be able to motivate myself to work diligently and effectively.

My project helped educate my audience learn about the local history of the Starr family, laws related to moving headstones, how to clean and maintain headstones, and to contribute to the historical preservation of a neglected cemetery. My research paper will be stored in the Goshen Historical Society and the Goshen Public Library.

About the Gold Award

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 she can enlist in the military at a higher starting pay grade.

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.

For more information on the Gold Award, click here.