Girl Scouts receive highest honor, the Gold Award

Two girls from Huntington Beach Girl Scout Troop 859, Odyssey, have been given the Gold Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout can receive.

Aarani Arulmoli and Chelsea Bill completed six requirements in earning their award, including earning three interest project patches on topics of their choice. They then completed their actual projects, which require at least 65 hours of work and must benefit the outside community.

Aarani worked with the Charlie’s Buddies nonprofit, which helps families of premature infants who are cared for at area intensive care units. She created, had manufactured and distributed more than 500 stuffed animal mascots and logos representing the organization.

Chelsea collected school supplies for a scout troop in Ghana, then set up a pen-pal program between the United States and the Ghana troop. She sent more than 100 pounds of supplies to the troop and later received details about the package’s arrival.

— Candice Baker