May 17, 2025

Eighteen Girls Recognized with Gold Award in Chattanooga

News Summary

The Girl Scouts of Southern Appalachians has announced its 2025 Gold Award recipients, honoring eighteen girls for their exceptional community contributions, including seven from the Tennessee Valley region. This prestigious award is granted to Girl Scouts in grades 9-12 who complete significant projects benefiting their communities. Each project reflects leadership, creativity, and commitment, and the awardees were celebrated at a gala dinner recognizing their inspiring achievements.

Chattanooga, TN – The Girl Scouts of Southern Appalachians has announced its 2025 Gold Award recipients, recognizing eighteen girls from the regional area for their outstanding contributions to the community. Among these, seven remarkable Girl Scouts from the Tennessee Valley region were honored with the prestigious award, the highest accolade a Girl Scout can earn.

The Gold Award is conferred to Girl Scouts in grades 9-12 who undertake significant projects that benefit their communities. Nationally, only 6% of Girl Scouts achieve this level of recognition each year, making it a remarkable accomplishment for these young women. Each recipient dedicates one to two years to the planning and implementation of their projects, showcasing leadership, commitment, and innovative problem-solving.

The award winners from the Chattanooga area include:

Ella Brandon, Ooltewah, TN – Ella created a STEM career resource blog targeting young women interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Her blog features interviews with women in various STEM professions and is shared with local schools and the Chattanooga Public Library.
Anna Catherine Critchfield, Ooltewah, TN – Anna authored and illustrated a children’s book titled “Accepting ADHD.” This work aims to challenge the stigma surrounding disabilities, particularly ADHD, and is designed to normalize these discussions within families. Free digital versions are accessible online, and Anna received a $2,000 Gold Award scholarship for her efforts.
Ash Edwards, Signal Mountain, TN – Ash designed a pollinator garden along with an animal water station at Ivy Academy in Soddy Daisy, promoting biodiversity and enhancing the green space available for pollinators.
Lillie Grant, Lookout Mountain, TN – Lillie constructed a pollinator garden at the Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center. This project is focused on native plant species and includes collaboration with the Tennessee Aquarium to develop educational lesson plans for local elementary school students about the crucial role of pollinators.
Isabella Lucarelli, Ooltewah, TN – Isabella built bee-safe habitats and distributed wildflower seed packets by partnering with Tiger Lily Farm. Her endeavor included presenting to over 100 individuals to raise awareness about bee conservation.
Siri McDonough, Chattanooga, TN – Siri initiated a “Pet Library” in collaboration with the Pet Placement Center to promote pet adoptions through a unique temporary “check-out” system. She also prepared educational materials and contracts for responsible animal handling and earned a $500 Gold Award scholarship for her initiative.
Cassie Wolfe, Harrison, TN – Cassie addressed issues related to childhood poverty and its association with human trafficking by designing new dresses for girls in Cuba and Liberia. She also provided safety booklets and engaged in community awareness events along with online resource sharing.

The Gold Award recipients were celebrated during a gala dinner and awards ceremony, highlighting their exceptional commitment to community service and leadership. Each project reflects not only the personal dedication of these young women but also their impact on community issues affecting their peers and future generations.

The Gold Award has a long history within the Girl Scouts organization, representing a culmination of effort and focus on artistic creativity, education, environmental sustainability, and social concerns. Recipients not only gain valuable skills through their project experiences but also inspire their communities to take part in positive change.

As these awardees embark on their journeys, they embody the principles of leadership and community engagement at the heart of the Girl Scouts mission, setting an inspiring example for their peers and younger generations.

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Chattanooga Honors Seven Girl Scouts with Prestigious Gold Award

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Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER

The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.

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