Girl Scouts celebrate High Award Winners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Girl Scouts of West Central Florida Celebrates 2026 Gold Award Honorees Making Lasting Community Impact

TAMPA, Fla. — The Girl Scouts of West Central Florida (GSWCF) will honor its 2026 Girl Scout Gold Award recipients on June 6, recognizing an exceptional group of young women whose leadership, innovation and service are creating meaningful change throughout the region.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest achievement in Girl Scouting and is earned by fewer than six percent of eligible Girl Scouts nationwide. Comparable in prestige to the Eagle Scout rank in Scouting America, the Gold Award recognizes girls who identify community needs, develop sustainable solutions and lead projects that create measurable, lasting impact.

This year’s honorees addressed issues ranging from environmental conservation and STEM education to literacy, civic engagement, nutrition, mental health awareness and support for vulnerable populations. Through their projects, these young leaders have expanded opportunities, strengthened communities and improved lives across West Central Florida.

Event Details
Date: June 6, 2026
Time: 9:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
Location: HCC Brandon Campus, 10451 Nancy Watkins Drive, Tampa, FL 33619

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover this inspiring celebration of leadership in action.

Among the Gold Award recipients are Andrea of Riverview, who created a responsible pet ownership initiative to help reduce animal shelter overcrowding; Charlotte of Tampa, who developed inclusive coding opportunities for students with special needs; Gabriella of Riverview, who partnered with the Florida Holocaust Museum to educate communities about antisemitism and the Holocaust; and Olivia of Wesley Chapel, who worked to preserve Girl Scout traditions through educational resources and leadership training.

Pinellas County honorees also made a significant impact. Janelle of Dunedin created “No Cat Left Behind,” providing disaster preparedness resources to help cat owners safely evacuate during emergencies. Heidi of Clearwater led oyster restoration and environmental education efforts at Philippe Park, helping improve water quality and coastal ecosystems while raising awareness about conservation.

Collectively, these young women demonstrate that leadership is not defined by age but by action. Their projects reflect the courage, confidence and character at the heart of Girl Scouting and showcase the power of youth to create lasting change.

For more information, contact Girl Scouts of West Central Florida. gswcf.org