girl scouts of the colonial coast
For her project, Anna addressed the issue of sun exposure and the rising number cases of skin cancer. Anna began her project by doing research about skin cancer and the best ways for people to protect themselves from harmful sun rays. She then made a display board and video that she presented around the community, including four presentations at Kirkwood Presbyterian Church movie nights, five presentations at Ken Matthews Garden Center, four presentations at swim clinics and a presentation for the Grafton cross country team. She also partnered with the Kiln Creek Swim Team, where she made a presentation to the team, and during home meets, she distributed sunscreen samples and made announcements about sun safety.
“I have pale skin, and I have to use sunscreen often,” Anna said. “I wanted to spread awareness to people who do not use sunscreen as much as they should.”
Anna also placed her video online so that people around the world can use it as a sun safety resource.
The Gold Award requires girls to identify an issue in their community and carry out a Take Action project to address the matter through leadership work. Nationwide, less than six percent of eligible Girl Scouts earn the Gold Award, which adds Anna to an elite group of female leaders across the country with the honor.
