Bellaire Girl Scout earns Gold Award

Bellaire High School junior Kirkland Schuessler was awarded the Girl Scouts Gold Award, the highest honor awarded within the youth organization.

The requirements for the community service award include more than 100 service hours and two to three years of work, including the planning, oversight and completion of the chosen project. Schuessler earned her award by planting and maintaining a garden at the WOMAN Inc., Destiny Village housing project in Pasadena.

According to a press release, Schuessler wanted to change the grounds of Destiny Village by "creating an easy-to-maintain garden that residents could be proud of."

"I learned that I have strong leadership skills," Schuessler said in the press release. "This was shown in my ability to motivate my volunteers and keep them on task."

Schuessler has been a scout for 12 years. She participates in the Mariners sailing program and is a member of the Bellaire High School golf and volleyball teams, National Honor Society, Bellaire International Student Association, Quidditch Club and Photography Club.

The Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council serves more than 70,000 members in 26 counties across southeast Texas. For more information, call 800-392-4340 or visit www.gssjc.org.