Bailee Woodall, a graduate of Hartselle High School, has earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouting.  

Woodall earned her Gold Award for her project, Path of Individuality.  

Her project focused on elementary-aged students. Woodall said she believes conformity is an issue, and children should be taught to be themselves. 

To tackle this issue, she wrote a children’s book on diversity, read it to the fourth–graders at F.E. Burleson Elementary School and created a “path of individuality” in the courtyard of the school with rocks painted by the fourth graders. 

“Society puts limits on what is OK to think, say and do,” Woodall said. “I think kids should be exposed to the idea of having their own individual thoughts from a young age so that when they get older, they are less likely to conform to what everyone else is doing.” 

Woodall is now a freshman at the University of North Alabama majoring in secondary education. She said earning her Gold Award helped her become more confident and prepared. 

“This project was a good first step in overcoming the fear of public speaking,” she said. “My decision-making skills improved as well.” 

Woodall will be honored for her achievement at the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama Highest Awards Ceremony April 4, 2020. 

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

The girl who goes for the Gold, Peterlin said, 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 the 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 and the American Legion.