Girl Scouts Heart of Central California honored 167 girls during its annual Highest Awards Ceremony at Hiram Johnson High School Auditorium, recognizing recipients of the Girl Scout Gold Award, Silver Award and the council’s Rose Award. Photo courtesy of Girl Scouts Heart of Central California

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Before they earned medals, scholarships and standing ovations, many of the Girl Scouts recognized Saturday, May 16, at the Girl Scouts Heart of Central California Highest Awards Ceremony started their award-winning community projects with a simple question: How can I help?

By the end the answers had taken shape as STEM programs for children, deaf awareness curriculums, debate workshops and community initiatives designed to last long after the applause faded.

Throughout the ceremony, mentors and family members joined recipients on stage during a pinning ceremony celebrating not only the girls’ achievements, but also the support systems behind them. Photo courtesy of Girl Scouts Heart of Central California

Girl Scouts Heart of Central California honored 167 girls during its annual Highest Awards Ceremony at Hiram Johnson High School Auditorium, recognizing recipients of the Girl Scout Gold Award, Silver Award and the council’s Rose Award for projects tackling issues ranging from STEM accessibility and mental health to environmental sustainability and racial justice.

“This ceremony is a powerful reminder of why Girl Scouts matter,” said Girl Scouts Heart of Central California Chief Executive Officer Linda E. Farley. “These girls didn’t just complete projects, they identified real challenges in their communities and created meaningful, lasting solutions.”

The morning began with a Gold Award Poster Symposium, where attendees explored presentations highlighting projects created by Award recipients. This year’s honorees included 36 Gold Award recipients, 83 Silver Award recipients and 48 Rose Award recipients.

The morning began with a Gold Award Poster Symposium, where attendees explored presentations highlighting projects created by Award recipients. Photo courtesy of Girl Scouts Heart of Central California

The Girl Scout Gold Award, the organization’s highest honor, requires at least 80 hours of research, planning and leadership focused on creating sustainable community change.

Among those recognized was Sofia Contreras, who partnered with St. John’s women’s shelter to create a STEM curriculum for children staying at the facility.

“STEM has always been a really big part of my life,” Contreras said. “I wanted those kids to know that it’s a place for them too.”

Contreras designed hands-on lessons and experiments intended to continue long after her involvement ended, leaving behind supplies and curriculum materials for future use.

Created by local Girl Scouts three decades ago, the Girl Scouts Heart of Central California Rose Award is earned by girls who demonstrate improvement and awareness of themselves, their community, and the world around them. Photo courtesy of Girl Scouts Heart of Central California

She said the experience taught her confidence and leadership skills she plans to carry into college and a future career in STEM.

Another Gold Award recipient developed a deaf awareness curriculum for the El Dorado Union High School District focused on communication, culture and respect for the deaf community.

“I think raising awareness is important because many students don’t know about deaf culture,” the Girl Scout said. “This gives them the opportunity to learn how to respect deaf individuals.”

Sofia Yee created a debate awareness program for elementary and middle school students in the Sacramento area after realizing many younger students viewed debate as intimidating.

“It’s really a great way to practice your public speaking,” Yee said. “I wanted to break people’s stereotypes of what debate looks like.”

Working with local educators, libraries and the Sacramento Urban Debate League, Yee developed curriculum materials and hosted a summer debate program that will continue beyond her involvement.

Nora Latif smiles alongside her family at the Girl Scouts Heart of Central California Highest Awards Ceremony. Photo courtesy of Girl Scouts Heart of Central California

Nora Latif focused her project on increasing representation in STEM by creating a library program highlighting women of color working in science, technology, engineering and math fields.

“For me and a lot of my friends, we didn’t always see people like ourselves represented when people talked about women in STEM,” Latif said.

Throughout the ceremony, mentors and family members joined recipients on stage during a pinning ceremony celebrating not only the girls’ achievements, but also the support systems behind them.

Madison Kosh said the projects reflect the organization’s mission of helping girls discover their voice and leadership potential.

“They’re learning how to build relationships within their communities, solve problems and create lasting change,” Kosh said. “Those are life skills they’ll carry with them forever.”

In addition to the awards, Girl Scouts Heart of Central California also recognized scholarship recipients for continued leadership and academic achievement, including Contreras, Yee and Isabella Passerini.