Colusa, CA (MPG) – The Gold Award is the highest award in Girl Scouts, and those who earn it set themselves apart from their peers through their passion and determination to achieve it.
At just 16, Ariana Avera, of Colusa, completed a project that will bring comfort and smiles to children facing a difficult time in their lives. As a result, the Colusa High School junior will be recognized in June 2024 as a Gold Award recipient, an honor achieved by only 2% percent of girls that participate in Girls Scouts in the U.S.
On Aug. 14, Avera delivered dozens of Teddy Bears, gifts, and toys to UC Davis Hospital.
“The Care Project is based on helping kids in a pediatric ward,” said Avera, the daughter of Christy and David Avera, of Colusa.
Ever since she was five years old, Avera has risen through the ranks of Troop 1764, finding reward in completing troop-based projects for bronze and silver awards.
The Gold Award, however, is the equivalent of earning Eagle Scout in the Boys Scouts organization and is based on individual scouts finding meaningful ways to help others or address pressing issues in the community.
“This is my own project that I have done on my own, “Avera said. “It’s just really rewarding to be able to do this through my experience with Girl Scouts and accomplish this.”
Children in the pediatric ward will receive a bag with a snuggly stuffed bear, age-appropriate books, and other items.
For older youth, Avera picked out books she likes and placed a journal and pen in each so patients can put down their thoughts in writing.
“The hospital can be a scary place,” she said.
In each gift, Avera placed a card with a handwritten message.
Her primary sponsor for the project was Cody Pine, of Colusa Sticky Trees. Younger Colusa scouts helped Avera by hosting a fundraiser to purchase toys for the waiting rooms or play areas on the pediatric ward.
Avera also made Care Projects gifts available to the Colusa Fire Department, where her father is a firefighter, so they can offer a gift of comfort to children they encounter during emergency calls.
Although Avera has achieved her Gold Award, she still has two years as a Girls Scout Ambassador to dedicate to the organization and will serve as a unit representative to the Board of Directors of the Heart of Central California Girls Scouts.
“I’m looking forward to growing with the Girl Scout Troop and still helping out in the community,” Avera said. Girl Scout Ambassador Ariana Avera, at just 16, completed Project Care on Aug. 14, 2023, which will earn her the Gold Award, the highest honor that can be achieved in Girl Scouts.