Published On: Fri, Jun 7th, 2019

Boca Raton Resident Awarded Girl Scout Gold Award

Katiana Povsic

Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida held their annual Gold Award Ceremony honoring the 2019 class of Gold Award Girl Scouts on May 11, 2019. Among the 18 Girl Scouts presented with their Gold Award this year was Boca Raton resident, Katiana Povsic of Troop 20293.

Boca Raton, FL – Katiana’s Gold Award project titled Florida Native Plants and their use in Creative Gardening addresses the issue of Florida’s native plants versus invasive species and avoiding common commercially grown plants. Florida has a delicate ecosystem. One that is vulnerable to invasive plants and animals, that if left unchecked, will threaten native species and throw off the balance needed to sustain the livable environment that we call home. Katiana was able to bring together the community and its leaders to assist in creating a learning garden for the students at Hammock Pointe Elementary School in Boca Raton. Each year their 4th graders read a book from Harvey Oyer, The Last Egret: The Adventures of Charlie Pierce. This book is set in Florida and deals with the natural plants and animals found in it. With the garden in place, it will help them visualize the book because they will see what they are reading and in turn, score better on topic-related assignments. While the students at Hammock Pointe Elementary School directly benefit from her project and can enjoy the garden in-person, Katiana also incorporated a website to educate those who visit on the importance of native species in our environment. In addition to the educational opportunity for garden visitors, Katiana was able to solve some drainage concerns. The garden is now beautiful and self-sustaining and will continue with the support of the school administration.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest award a Girl Scout in grades 9 – 12 can earn. It is accomplished by completing a service project with a minimum of 80 logged hours. The project must fulfill a need in the community, create change, and be sustainable with long-term possibilities. Gold Award Projects demand the highest level of organizational, leadership, and project management skills.  The level of commitment to complete a Gold Award project is so great that less than 6% of all Girl Scouts earn this most prestigious award in the world for girls.

About Girl Scouts

For more than 100 years, Girl Scouts has built girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. More than any other organization in our community, Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida empowers girls ages 5 to 17 with vision and voice—girls who command their future, engage their communities and inspire others.

Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida is committed to meeting the needs of today’s girls by providing the Girl Scout Leadership Experience that will help her develop skills and create a strong foundation for future success. Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida serves nearly 10,000 girls in Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee Counties. To explore opportunities to volunteer or partner with, or join Girl Scouts, call 561-427-0177 or visit www.gssef.org.

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