Courtney Cartee of Girl Scout Troop 20036 in Gaston County has earned the Girl Scout Gold Award for a community leadership and service project that revitalizes local interest in music programs.
Aiming to address the decline in band participation following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Girl Scout Ambassador focused on community building for her project, “Alumni Band – East Gaston”, to reconnect former musicians and inspire current students.
“I identified an issue in my community where there weren’t enough opportunities for people to share their love of music,” said Cartee, a Girl Scout of 10 years. “East Gaston High School didn’t have an alumni band, so I decided to create one to bring the community together and build more support for the program. My goal was to provide a fun and meaningful way for people who love band to reconnect and make music again.”
Courtney organized the first-ever Alumni Band event at East Gaston High School, inviting former members from various graduating classes to perform during the homecoming football game. Despite rainy weather, approximately 25 alumni performed alongside current students. To ensure the project’s sustainability, Courtney coordinated with the school’s band director and committee to make the Alumni Band an annual tradition, with information shared via social media to keep members updated.
Girls in high school can earn the Girl Scout Gold Award by creating sustainable change on a community or world issue. They address the root cause of a problem, plan and implement innovative solutions to drive change and lead a team of people to success. Each Girl Scout must dedicate a minimum of 80 hours to planning and carrying out their project that benefits the community and has a long-lasting impact.
Gold Award Girl Scouts gain tangible skills and prove they are the leaders our community and world need, and those from the Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont (GSCP2P) council have created community gardens, addressed issues in foster care, combated bullying in schools and so much more.
“Leading the project gave me confidence in speaking to groups, managing tasks, and making sure every detail came together for a successful outcome,” said the Gold Award Girl Scout. “This experience has helped me grow as a leader and as a person. I’ve learned how to stay positive under pressure, communicate effectively, and keep pushing forward even when things get tough.”
Thousands of Girl Scouts across the country earn the Girl Scout Gold Award each year, which first began in 1916 as the Golden Eaglet. Earning the Gold Award opens doors to scholarships, preferred admission tracks for college and amazing career opportunities. In 2025, 30 GSCP2P Girl Scouts earned their Gold Award.
To learn more about earning a Girl Scout Gold Award, visit https://www.girlscoutsp2p.org/en/members/for-girl-scouts/badges-journeys-awards/highest-awards/gold-award.html.
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