Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) is pleased to announce that Elaina Marie Johnson from Breese has earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can receive.
For her Girl Scout Gold Award project, called Fine Arts Camp, Elaina held a fine arts camp at her local high school for the youth of her community. She has always been involved with the arts and wanted to showcase the positive effects of participating in the fine arts. Elaina’s camp consisted of five days, each day focusing on a different art: music drama, dance and art. On the last day of her camp, everyone showcased what they had been working on throughout the week.
This Girl Scout Gold Award project was a rewarding experience for Elaina. “My project taught me that the passion for the arts isn’t being put out, but it does need help being kindled. The kids involved were excited to let out their creativity and excitement when given the opportunity,” said Elaina.
Elaina is the daughter of Robin and Donna Johnson. She is currently a sophomore at Central Community High School. Elaina has been a Girl Scout for 11 years.
The Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can earn, recognizes a Girl Scout's commitment to excellence as she develops skills and values to meet present and future challenges in her life. To earn the Girl Scout Gold Award, a Girl Scout Senior or Girl Scout Ambassador must design and carry out a project that fulfills a need within a girl’s community, creates change, and is sustainable. The project must be completed with a suggested minimum of 80 hours of work. Only about 5 percent of eligible girls earn the prestigious Gold Award.