Scouts Ciara Bennese, Kelsey Pecenka, Jennifer Sillars and Kaley Wright received recognition for their Gold Awards in Punta Gorda on May 18.(Photo: Special to The News-Press)



Six Southwest Florida teen girls earned the highest award a Girl Scout can earn, and all because they decided to give back to their community.


The Girl Scout Gold Award recognizes high school girls who show leadership through community service projects.


"Earning the Girl Scout Gold Award designation is truly a remarkable achievement, and these young women exemplify leadership in all its forms," said Sue Stewart, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, in a statement.


Jennifer Sillars, 18, from Cape Coral, has been a Girl Scout for 13 years. She decided to earn her award because she wanted to make a difference.


"I really wanted to make a lasting impression on my community," Sillars said. "If I impact even one person positively, then I've achieved my goal."


For her project, Sillars, who has been a figure skater for nine years, created a skating day for children from the RMCA Charter School in Immokalee.


"I wanted to share the new experience," Sillars said. "A lot of the kids there haven't had the opportunity to try new things."


Ciara Bennese, an 18-year-old from Cape Coral, used technology to reach her community. Bennese created a social networking site called "The Stronger Project."


The site fights against bullying in high schools as well as provides a support system for victims, teachers, friends and family.


"I realized the affect my Gold Award could have would be greater than anything I could achieve on my own," said Bennese.


Kaley Wright of Fort Myers, Kelsey Pecenka of Cape Coral, Shelby Sorrell of Naples, and Avnee Mistry of Naples also earned the Gold Award for projects they completed in their communities.


The Gold Award recipients were recognized at the Young Women of Distinction Ceremony in Punta Gorda on May 18.


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