Special to the Enquirer

Amanda Woods, a graduate of Hartselle High School, has earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouting, for her project, “Service Standards of Flag Etiquette.”

Woods said she realized many troops in the area were not partaking in flag ceremonies simply because they were unsure how to properly execute one. Flag ceremonies are performed at various Girl Scout events, so Woods thought teaching other troops the proper flag etiquette would result in more troops being able to perform at these events.

Her project focused on providing information and resources for fellow Girl Scouts to know and better understand flag etiquette and the proper steps in a flag ceremony.

Woods led demonstrations at the meetings of troops in her area as well as provided written steps and games to help girls better understand flag ceremonies and flag etiquette. She then put all necessary resources in a box that is now located at the Girl Scout Little House in Decatur for future troops to use to learn how to properly handle the flag.

“Most of the troops I went to have let me know that me teaching them has helped them very much,” Woods said.

Woods said she hopes the girls she worked with have learned to show more respect to the flag and will perform flag ceremonies with confidence in the future. She also said she hopes future troops will benefit from her box of resources and learn about flag etiquette and ceremonies for years to come.

“By earning the Girl Scout Gold Award,” said Karen Peterlin, chief executive officer of the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama, “Amanda has become a community leader. Her accomplishments reflect leadership and citizenship skills that set her apart.”

Woods is now a freshman at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. She said earning her Gold Award has taught her confidence.

“I believe I can do things now that I used to feel like I couldn’t do,” Woods said. “I feel like I could even start my own troop one day.”

According to the Girl Scout organization, the girl who “goes for the Gold” embraces challenges, achieves excellence and works diligently to make the world a better place, in her own unique way. “Her leadership, vision and boundless energy are an inspiration to all Girl Scouts. Each girl earning her Gold Award demonstrates excellence through a leadership project totaling more than 80 hours.”

Girls who earn their Gold Award are also recognized by the president of the United States, the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Armed Services, state legislatures, colleges and

universities for admission and scholarship opportunities, as well as the American Legion.

Some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award recipients, and Gold Award Girl Scouts are entitled to enlist at a higher pay grade when they join the military.

To learn more about the Girl Scout Gold Award, visit girlscoutsnca.org.