Lake Zurich Girl Scout earns Gold Award

Submitted by Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois

Lake Zurich resident Miranda Flores was among 22 Girl Scouts in northern Illinois who earned the Girl Scout Gold Award in 2012. The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest award a Girl Scout can earn.

For her Girl Scout Gold Award Project, Flores organized the Fields of Faith Family Fun Day. She recruited and educated volunteers to assist in Jubilee Gardens in Lake Zurich, which provides fresh produce for the area food pantry.

“I wanted to tap into the needs of Lake Zurich’s environment by helping the food pantry while tying the community together,” Flores said. “Being part of several organizations, I was exposed to the poverty of Lake Zurich. In researching the project, I discovered the pantry’s need for more fresh vegetables. My project incorporated caring for the environment while helping the less fortunate.”

Flores was honored for her accomplishment on June 10 at a Young Women of Distinction event hosted by the Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois.

When the Girl Scout Gold Award recipients graduate from high school, they join Girl Scout alumnae worldwide. According to a new Girl Scout Research Institute report titled “Girl Scouting Works: The Alumnae Impact Study,” women who were Girl Scouts as children display significantly more positive life outcomes than non-Girl Scout alumnae.

Compared to non-alumnae, Girl Scout alumnae display significantly more positive life outcomes on several indicators of success. These success indicators include:

Ÿ Perceptions of self: Of Girl Scout alumnae, 63 percent consider themselves competent and capable, compared to 55 percent of non-alumnae.

Ÿ Volunteerism and community work: Of Girl Scout alumnae who are mothers, 66 percent have been a mentor/volunteer in their child’s youth organization, compared to 48 percent of non-alumnae mothers.

Ÿ Civic engagement: Of Girl Scout alumnae, 77 percent vote regularly, compared to 63 percent of non-alumnae.

Ÿ Education: Of Girl Scout alumnae, 38 percent have attained college degrees, compared to 28 percent of non-alumnae.

Ÿ Income/socioeconomic status: Girl Scout alumnae report a significantly higher household income ($51,700) than non-alumnae ($42,200).

To learn more about “Girl Scouting Works: The Alumnae Impact Study,” or to obtain a copy, visit www.girlscouts.org/research. To join the Girl Scout Alumnae Association (where you may also obtain a copy of Girl Scouting Works), visit alumnae.girlscouts.org.

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