Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania is honored to announce Brylea Starr, from Lycoming County, has earned the Girl Scout Gold Award and is now part of the 2025 Gold Award class.

The Gold Award is the greatest achievement a Girl Scout can earn. It is available to high school Girl Scouts who tackle pressing issues and create sustainable changes within their communities, ultimately making the world a better place.

Starr’s project focused on addressing the available amenities at a local homeless shelter, dedicated to serving women and children. She updated two rooms at the YWCA Northcentral PA’s Liberty House, creating a safe and welcoming playroom for children and a peaceful relaxation room for women. Over eighty hours were devoted to planning, problem-solving, fundraising (including selling over 6000 boxes of cookies) and implementing her ideas for these much-need renovations. Her project’s mission will continue as residents have been tasked with keeping the rooms organized and shelter staff will handle larger maintenance needs.

The Gold Award process not only encourages girls to help their communities, but also provides them with long-term, tangible benefits as they grow as individuals. By going Gold, and striving to secure this coveted award, girls build professional skills, build their network, and have the opportunity to earn scholarships towards their futures. For those interested in serving their country, they have greater likelihood of enlisting at a higher pay grade when they join the military.

The impact of Starr’s Gold Award project will be felt long into the future, not only by fellow members of the community, but by the next generation of Girl Scouts, who are able to see what they are capable of.