South Elgin Girl Scout wins trip to Europe
South Elgin's own Kelly Fitzgerald, 16, has won a trip to Europe for her Global Citizens Essay about how Girl Scouts are taking action on some of the most compelling issues of our time. Fitzgerald's winning essay about her experience combating world hunger earned her the opportunity to join five other Girl Scouts from around the country for a tour of London, Paris and Switzerland this summer.
"We are so proud of Kelly for expressing how Girl Scouts are addressing the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals. As part of a movement of 10 million girls worldwide, Girl Scouts are stepping up to the most significant agenda of the moment and one that addresses the most pressing concerns of girls and young women - our most vulnerable members of society," said Susan Kendall, Girl Scouts-Fox Valley Council CEO.
"The essay itself addressed the topic of what Girl Scouts are doing to help end world hunger. I chose that prompt because that is what my Girl Scout Troop has been most active in helping with", said Fitzgerald.
Girls were asked to choose one of the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals and describe how Girl Scouts are helping to address the goal. The writing contest was separated into two age groups. Twelve of the 12- to 14-year-olds won a four-day all-expense paid trip to New York City and six 15- to 17-year-old winners were awarded with an 11-day adventure to Paris, London and Switzerland. Nearly 150 girls entered and the18 winners are set to travel this summer.
Kelly was excited to be recognized for her efforts, but being unable to participate this summer, she selflessly passed the opportunity on by contacting EF Educational Tours, partner in the Global Essay Contest. EF Tours was able to award the free trip to Europe - with visits to Pax Lodge and Our Chalet, Girl Scout World Centers in London and Switzerland - to the runner-up. Girl Scouts of the USA was proud to partner with EF Educational Tours, the world's largest private educational organization, to offer the third annual Girl Scout Global Citizens Essay Contest.
The contest has two goals: to challenge girls 12-17 to consider their roles in the world through writing and to allow them to put their words into practice. For the winners, the educational tour is not simply a reward for a job well done - it is a vehicle for developing ambassadors of global thinking and provides them with an opportunity to have an impact on their troop members and community at large.
Girl Scouts is the preeminent organization for and leading authority on girls with 3.7 million girl and adult members. Now in its 97th year, Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. In partnership with trained adults, girls develop qualities that will serve them all their lives - like strong values, social conscience and conviction about their own potential and self-worth.