Girl Scouts in California honored for tackling pressing issues

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CBS, KYMA/KECY) - On Saturday, over 170 local Girl Scouts were honored for tackling pressing issues impacting their communities.

Not only that, over 50 were awarded the Gold Award, the highest award in the Girl Scouts.

A prestigious award that takes determination and dedication.

“Only about 5% of our Girl Scout population even achieve their Gold award because it’s a difficult award to achieve," said Linda Farley, CEO of Girl Scouts Heart of Central California.

"Extra push"

Graduates spent thousands of hours tackling pressing issues in their communities. It’s a requirement to earn the honor.

“That extra push of earning the gold award helps you go out and take that action," said Galle Anderson, a Gold Award recipient.

Anderson received a scholarship for her project, combining her passion for tennis with mental health advocacy. Anderson created a tennis clinic for youth struggling with homelessness.

"It was super rewarding to get it for something I worked so hard on," Anderson explained.

Lessons

As these grads head to college, their Girl Scout uniforms might stay at home, but the lessons will come with them.

“You have these skills prepared for you to take to on bigger tasks in college, work and whatnot," said Georgia Bennett, another Gold Award recipient.

“When you have dreams...not just letting them stay dreams...like actually doing things to make them happen.”

As they begin their next chapter, they're remembering to keep going for the gold.