LIMA — Megan Ball, Megan Brookhart and Chloe Schwartz, of New Bremen, and Sara Bertke, of Minster, were among eight Girl Scouts who received their Gold Awards, March 5, during a ceremony at the Ponitz Center at Sinclair community College in Dayton.

They joined more than a century of Girl Scout alumnae who have positively impacted their communities and the world with their creative, impactful, and sustainable take-action projects.

“These young women are courageous leaders and visionary change makers,” said Roni Luckenbill, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Western Ohio. “It’s truly amazing what these girls are able to accomplish at such a young age. They are our future, and it looks bright!”

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest and most prestigious award that Girl Scouts in grades 9 to 12 can earn. Girls use their vision for change to complete service projects that reach beyond the Girl Scout organization and provide lasting benefit to the larger community. To achieve the award, girls commit a minimum of 80 hours to a specific project over the span of one to two years. The project must include community involvement; an innovative approach; project sustainability; and educating and inspiring others.

According to “The Power of the Girl Scout Gold Award: Excellence in Leadership and Life,” a report by the Girl Scout Research Institute girls who earn the Gold Award display more positive life outcomes than nonGirl Scout alumnae with regard to positive sense of self, life satisfaction, leadership, life success, community service and civic engagement.

It’s not only Girl Scouts who understand the value of the Gold Award. Some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to award recipients, and girls who enlist in the U.S. armed forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements.