Southfield

Southfield Girl Scout goes for the Gold

By Jessica Strachan
C & G Staff Writer

SOUTHFIELD — Briana Ratchford, a 17-year-old Girl Scout from Southfield, was among 23 girls from the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan to receive the organization’s most prestigious award — The Gold Award.

The Gold Award is presented to Senior and Ambassador-level Girl Scouts who display exemplary service to their communities and beyond, seeing through a successful yearlong project.

Ratchford’s project, “On the Right Track: Preparing for College in High School,” prepared other youth for their journey to college through a three-hour workshop.

She based her workshop on her experience getting ready for college as a senior at The Roeper School in Bloomfield Hills, she said.

“I found I was very knowledgeable on the topic of college preparation, and I received compliments on my presentation,” said Ratchford, member of Troop 43950. “I was able to overcome my shyness and transform into a strong public speaker.”

Participants in the workshop were able to ask Ratchford and her college counselor questions, in addition to learning about college and being successful through a multi-media presentation.

Denise Dalrymple, GSSEM chief executive officer, issued the statement that she was proud of Briana and the other local girls who worked hard for the honor.

“This year’s recipients join the ranks of an elite group of outstanding young women,” she said. “Nationwide, less than 5 percent of Girl Scouts achieve this prestigious award. Their hard work and dedication reflect leadership and citizenship skills that set them apart and will prove invaluable throughout life.”

For more information about GSSEM, visit gssem.org.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Jessica Strachan at jstrachan@candgnews.com or at (586)279-1108.