Alexia Apablaza
Abigail Blazer
Sidney Kiner
Girl Scouts of the Southern Appalachians has announced its 2024 Gold Award recipients, presenting the honor to 24 girls across the region, three of whom are from Chattanooga.
The Gold Award is the most prestigious award in Girl Scouting, presented to girls in grades 9-12 who have planned and implemented significant projects that address an issue in their communities. The honor is awarded to fewer than 6 percent of Girl Scouts across the country annually. Most Gold Award Girl Scouts spend between one to two years on a project.
“The Gold Award is the highest honor a Girl Scout can receive,” said Lynne Fugate, CEO of the Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians. “These young women have worked hard and demonstrated extraordinary leadership. They have shown empathy and problem-solving skills to enact positive change in our community. We’re so proud of their dedication.”
The following Gold Award winners are from Chattanooga:
Alexia Apablaza of Signal Mountain realized many students face financial barriers to learning to play an instrument. She partnered with Thrasher Elementary School to create a free string instrument music program. Alexia taught students lessons and created YouTube videos and additional resources to supplement the program. After a year of free music classes, her students participated in a successful final recital. Her videos and string program resources also are available for other students who want to learn.
Abigail Blazer of Charleston addressed the needs of homeless adults and children in emergency situations in her community. In partnership with First Presbyterian Church of Cleveland,
Abigail created hygiene bags with basic items and comfort bags for children in emergency situations. She connected with 20 organizations to distribute the bags to people who need them. Abigail donated nearly 600 hygiene and comfort bags and plans to continue the effort with support from the church.
Sidney Kiner of Chattanooga created the Doodle Project to give teens an outlet to express their emotions through art. She collected the doodles and displayed them, first at her school, and then at a local art gallery. Sidney also designed and painted a mural at her school. Using Instagram and online tutorials, she shared the Doodle Project and encouraged others to use art to boost their mental health.
Gold Award recipients were recognized for their achievements at a gala dinner and awards ceremony.