Girl Scout project benefits museum

Shouts of joy and the smell of fresh baked goodies filled the air at the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada on Oct. 15 as crowds of kids flocked to the museum for the unveiling of the newly decorated Party Room. The event was to showcase the new artwork on the museum's birthday room walls that Ambassador Girl Scout Melissa James, 17, coordinated for her Girl Scout Gold Award project.

"I was so glad to see the shining faces of the children when they saw the different characters on the wall of the room. Their laughter echoed through the museum when they put their faces through the photo boards that changed them into the Children's Museum Jester, the Wise Wizard, or the Owl," said James after the event.

The Gold Award project is the highest award in Girl Scouts, equivalent to the Eagle Award of Boy Scouts. It symbolizes outstanding accomplishment in the areas of leadership, community service, career development and personal growth. To receive the award, a Girl Scout must fulfill the following five requirements: earn four interest patches, earn the Career Exploration pin, earn the Girl Scout Leadership award, earn the Girl Scout Challenge, and design and implement a Girl Scout Gold Award project. A plan for completing the requirements of the award is created by the Girl Scout and is carried out through close cooperation between the girl and an adult Girl Scout volunteer. Only 5 percent of girls who become Girl Scouts actually complete this project and receive the award.

"Melissa put an awful lot of work into this project," said Sandie Hartman, James' Gold Award mentor. "She designed, orchestrated and created a wonderful project for the community."

"This project is the crowning glory of 12 years of Girl Scouting. I'm very proud of Melissa and all the girls who are able to achieve this challenging accomplishment. They have learned to lead by planning, organizing and motivating others to work together to do what none of them could do by themselves," offered Christie James, mother and leader of Troop 409.

Thanks to everyone who helped with the Gold Award project and throughout James' Girl Scouting career, her hard work has paid off. She hosted a very successful showcase gala and has forever left her mark on the children's museum.