Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma has named its 2024 Gold Award recipients. Sarah Stahlman of Choctaw is one of 13 Girl Scouts recognized for her outstanding leadership and community impact achieved through a hands-on project. Stahlman’s project, Band Music Organization, aimed to organize the music and equipment in her school band room at Christian Heritage Academy.
Stahlman—a member of Troop 3463—identified a need, created a solution and came up with a plan. By implementing an electronic filing system and creating an inventory of school-owned instruments and equipment, she aimed to streamline access to resources for the school's band program.
Through her efforts, Stahlman sought to improve the overall efficiency of the band program and enhance the learning experience for students. To share her system with other schools, she created a YouTube video with implementation instructions.
Each year, hundreds of Girl Scouts across the country earn Gold Awards—the highest honor a Girl Scout can receive—through commitment to a service project.
“The Girl Scout Gold Award is the culmination of years of hard work and unwavering commitment to shaping a better future,” said GSWESTOK CEO Janienne Bella. “Gold Award Girl Scouts identify a problem and do whatever it takes to create positive change. By completing their service projects, Girls not only leave behind a lasting impact on their communities but also enter the next stage of their lives equipped with the confidence, experience and skills they need to make a difference.”
According to the Girl Scout Research Institute, Gold Award recipients are more likely than non-Girl Scouts to graduate from college, take on leadership roles and engage in community service activities.
Gold Award Girl Scouts are eligible for three unique scholarship opportunities: a $1,000 Sonic scholarship, a $3,000 GSWESTOK scholarship and a national $5,000 Girl Scouts of the USA scholarship.
Gold Award recipients, along with Bronze and Silver Award recipients, will be recognized at Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma’s Highest Awards Ceremony at 10 a.m. on May 4, 2024, at Church of the Servant in Oklahoma City.
