Girl Scouts Sophia Rogers of Salem and Lauren Adrezin of East Lyme have earned the Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting. They were recognized at the organization’s Gold Award Celebration on June 2 at Cascades in Hamden.

The Girl Scout Gold Award requires Girl Scouts in grades 9-12 to spend at least 80 hours researching issues, assessing community needs and resources, building a team, and making a sustainable impact in the community. A Gold Award Girl Scout’s accomplishments reflect leadership and citizenship skills that set her apart as a community leader.

Nationally, only 6 percent of older Girl Scouts earn the Gold Award.

Sophia’s project, “Bridging the Generation Gap,” engaged teenagers in volunteering their services for senior citizens who are less physically able. Her aim was to help divided generations better understand and help each other, and to address the importance of acts of kindness.

Within her program, sponsored by the Key Club at her school, local students performed such tasks as raking lawns free of charge. Sophia will graduate from East Lyme High School next spring.

Lauren wanted to help physically limited residents of her town safely participate in aquatic activities, so she published an informational booklet and website on accessible outdoor recreation. She currently majors in rehabilitation services at the University of Maine at Farmington and wants to become a rehabilitation counselor or occupational therapist.

For more information about the Gold Award or how to become a Gold Award volunteer or mentor, visit gsofct.org.

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