Leadership in Action: Girl Scout Awards Celebration
Norfolk State University opened the doors of the L. Douglas Wilder Performing Arts Center to nearly 400 guests on Saturday, June 6 for Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast’s annual awards celebration. GSCCC was proud to honor Girl Scouts earning the highest Girl Scout awards — Gold, Silver, and Bronze, and Summit — along with the Buck Harris awardee, the top entrepreneurs of this year’s product programs, scholarship recipients and graduating Girl Scouts bridging to adults. The University’s Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Leonard Brown, Jr., who also serves on GSCCC’s Board of Directors as Vice Chair, was on hand to welcome everyone to the venue.
In true Girl Scout tradition, the proceedings began with a flag ceremony conducted by Troop 152, and Girl Scout Cadette Hannah V. sang the national anthem. The opening was followed by the recognition of our top entrepreneurs for the 2025 Fall Product and 2026 Girl Scout Cookie programs.
Up next, the Buck Harris Award was given to Girl Scout Ambassador Kaitlyn S. from Troop 152. Established in honor of Buck Harris, a past executive director of the Virginia Tidewater Council who loved the outdoors, this nominated award includes a certificate towards attending a Council-sponsored summer camp.
Gold Award Girl Scouts pose with GSCCC Board Chair Lu Ann Klevecz and CEO Tracy Keller
Girl Scouts from Troop 152 led the opening flag ceremony
Girl Scout Kaitlyn S. received the Buck Harris Award
Gold Award Girl Scout Julia W. received the She Believes She Can, So She Does Scholarship
Girl Scout Caitlin W. received the She Believes She Can, So She Does Scholarship
Girl Scout Zoe F. received the Girl Scouts of Courage, Confidence, and Character Scholarship
Recognitions from the podium continued for those who earned Summit, Bronze, and Silver Awards, and Girl Scouts were presented with certificates and congratulated by CEO Tracy Keller and Board Chair Lu Ann Klevecz on stage. Among the final awardees to be celebrated were eight Gold Award Girl Scouts. The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest and most prestigious honor in Girl Scouting, available to girls in grades 9–12. It requires Girl Scouts to independently design and execute an 80+ hour “Take Action” project that addresses a community issue with measurable, sustainable, and far-reaching impact.
Along with being pinned by CEO Tracy Keller, several of these Gold Award Girl Scouts also received scholarships. Congratulations to all our scholarship recipients!
She Believes She Can So She Does Scholarship
Presented by Kate Godby, who established the award
Gold Award Girl Scout Julia W.
Girl Scout Caitlin W.
Girl Scouts of Courage, Confidence, and Character Scholarship
Presented by Jennifer Lynch, who established the award
Girl Scout Zoe F.
Maylea Brockington Beasley Love and Laughter Scholarship
Presented by Jennifer Lynch
Gold Award Girl Scout Lana J.
Every Gold Award Girl Scout also received a Lifetime Membership thanks to the Helen Kattwinkel Lifetime Membership Endowment fund, serving as a salute to their excellence.
Gold Award Girl Scout Lana J. received the Love and Laughter Scholarship
Graduating Girl Scouts participated in a Bridging to Adult ceremony
GSCCC Girl Advisory Board members Julianne V. and Abigail S. chat after the ceremony
Gold Award Girl Scout Nomi R. was a finalist for the GSUSA National Gold Award Scholarship
Gold Award Girl Scout Lana J. was a finalist for the GSUSA National Gold Award Scholarship
Gold Award Girl Scout Marley F. received the GSUSA National Gold Award Scholarship
Gold Award Girl Scout Ambassadors Marley F., Lana J., and Nomi R. were recognized as finalists for GSUSA’s 2026 National Gold Award Girl Scout Scholarship. This prestigious $5,000 award is presented to one Girl Scout from each of the 111 Councils across the country. From those finalists, Gold Award Girl Scout Marley F. was selected as GSCCC’s recipient! In addition to this national recognition, thanks to the generosity of passionate Girl Scout alums and former board members in our council, Marley also received an additional $5,000 scholarship, and each of our council’s finalists was awarded a $2,500 scholarship.
Finally, graduating Girl Scouts were invited on stage for a special bridging-to-adult member ceremony, symbolizing their growth over the years and their new path in the Girl Scout Movement.
This year’s inspiring event celebrated young achievers who are acting today, and planning for tomorrow, to make the world a better place. Congratulations to all our Girl Scouts and a huge thank you to those volunteers and families who are their champions. We also extend our gratitude to our sponsors, Sentara and Norfolk State University. Working together, leading together, celebrating together — now that’s success!
View the event program online for more details on these amazing Girl Scouts, and view more photos from the event on our Facebook page.
