Published on June 2, 2025
Congratulations to Claire Diffenbach and Mallory Dodson, both 12th-grade students at Warwick High School, for earning the distinguished Girl Scout Gold Award as part of the 2025 Gold Award Class!
The Gold Award is the highest honor a Girl Scout can achieve. This award recognizes high school girls who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through impactful, sustainable projects addressing real-world issues.
For her project, Claire Diffenbach designed and implemented a 15-stop interactive nature trail at a local park. Her project educates visitors about native trees, rock formations, and the dangers of invasive species. With durable trail markers and scannable QR codes, her work will continue to educate and engage the community for years to come.
Mallory Dodson tackled the issue of period poverty. She launched an awareness campaign through a website and Instagram account, and hosted a product drive to collect supplies for a local shelter. Her website also includes a tutorial to help others organize similar drives in their own communities, ensuring her efforts have a far-reaching, lasting impact.
Each student committed a minimum of 80 hours to identifying a need, planning a solution, and bringing their vision to life. Their dedication, creativity, and leadership serve as powerful examples of what young women can achieve when they lead with purpose.
Why the Gold Award Matters:
Gold Award Girl Scouts don’t just change the world, they also gain lifelong skills. Girls who “Go Gold” build professional networks, qualify for scholarships, and can even enlist in the military at a higher pay grade.
About Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania:
Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. With the support of volunteers, mentors, and millions of alumnae, Girl Scouts grow into resilient leaders, passionate changemakers, and empowered young women ready to make a difference.