Girl Scouts of the USA Honors Nearly 3,000 Gold Award Recipients
Girl Scouts of the USA has celebrated its 2026 Gold Award Girl Scout Class. Nearly 3,000 young women were recognized for their significant community service projects.
New York – Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) has honored nearly 3,000 young women with its 2026 Gold Award, the organization's highest recognition. These achievements represent thousands of hours dedicated to community service and problem-solving.
The honored recipients, who are high school students, collectively dedicated over 307,000 hours to projects addressing issues such as mental wellness, sustainability, and accessibility. One recipient, Ella Kate Vinson, organized a free community clothing event for families, an initiative she described as a powerful lesson in service and leadership.
GSUSA CEO Bonnie Barczykowski highlighted that these projects demonstrate how young people's passions and actions can drive tangible change. In addition to the award, 110 of these accomplished Girl Scouts will receive post-secondary education scholarships, supported by entities including DHL Supply Chain and the Kappa Delta Foundation.
The pursuit of the Gold Award is designed to equip young women with essential life skills, including project management, collaboration, and leadership. The award can also offer benefits such as advanced enlistment in the military or higher starting pay.