The ABCs of Lowell History is back for another round. This popular series explores a wide variety of topics in Lowell area history in weekly online articles and is written by volunteers and staff from the Lowell Area Historical Museum.
G is for Gold Award
Article guest written by Museum Intern, Mackenzie Wyant
The Gold Award was first created in 1916. If you’ve never heard of the Gold Award it is the highest award in Girl Scouts, similar to the Boy Scouts’ Eagle Award.
The Gold Award has undergone many changes and names over the years including Golden Eaglet of Merit, Golden Eaglet, First Class, Curved Bar (which would be added to the first class award), and as we know it today the Gold Award.
Why was the name changed so much?
When first created, the award was named the Golden Eaglet of Merit. The name was changed in 1919 after several newspapers continued to get the name wrong. There was a Girl Scout movie at the time with the name “Golden Eaglet.” The Girls Scout council decided there would be less confusion if the name was changed to Golden Eaglet.
In 1938 the name changed again from the Golden Eaglet to “First Class.” The requirements to achieve the award were changed in 1940. Cadette scouts and higher were required to earn four challenges and six badges.
Then in 1980 everything changed completely. The name was changed to the “Gold Award.” The requirements became that girls had to complete 2 Senior or Ambassador Journeys along with their Silver Award. They must plan and implement a take-action project that goes above and beyond Girl Scouts that must be sustainable. They must also have a minimum of 80 hours into their Gold Award.
Local Awardees
Annette Lalley Ritzema is an Ionia High School 1969 graduate who earned her First Class in the fall of 1968. She completed her four challenges and six badges in social dependability, emergency preparedness, active citizenship, and Girl Scout promise. Her troop leader Mrs. Christopher helped her earn her badges. She received her award at Davenport College. She went to Colorado State University and got her bachelor’s in education. She taught all over the country from age 21 to her retirement, returning to Michigan State University to earn three master’s degrees. Annette now lives in Lowell and volunteers at the Lowell Area Historical Museum.
Makayla Socall is a Lowell High School 2023 graduate who earned her Gold Award in March 2023. She had the obstacle of trying to achieve her award in the middle of covid, but she persevered. She saw a problem in her community that not all kids had access to fruits and vegetables. She brought healthy eating to Cherry Creek Elementary when she set up a hydroponic garden in a second-grade classroom. Students could grow their own lettuce plants learn how to garden, and bring those skills into their own yards. Makayla had her mom/troop leader and Loranine Phillips help her along the way with her proposal and encouragement. She received her award at the Camp Anna Berens end-of-year recognition ceremony. She is going to Western Michigan for chemical engineering.
The Gold Award challenges Girl Scouts to use “everything they’ve learned as a Girl Scout to help fix a problem in their community or make a lasting change in their world.”
* Note, guest writer intern Mackenzie Wyant is currently working toward her Gold Award.
What a charming story. I was a former Girl Scout and have never heard of this award. My grand daughter is in scouts now and I will share this article with her. Thank you for sharing!