After hundreds of phone calls, stressful planning and sleepless nights, 17-year-old Bailey Coyle finally did it.
Twelve years ago, Bailey walked into her first meeting of the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas. She was excited, and a tad nervous. Despite her apprehension, she eventually found her purpose within the organization. She recently received the Girl Scouts Gold Award given to only 4 percent of Girl Scouts in the United States.
To earn the honor, individuals must devote a minimum of 100 hours to their community in one year through donations or service projects. In addition, projects must be sustainable and touch on a global issue.
At 16, the Frisco, Texas, resident founded the S.M.A.R.T. Program or Stress Management and Release Tools. Through this nonprofit organization, students who attend Centennial High School have the opportunity to participate in monthly stress management classes. Bailey developed this organization to inform and help her peers minimize their stress. Roughly 15 to 20 people attended her meetings throughout the last school year. Based on her success, Bailey has decided to bring the program back to her school next year.
Bailey not only has been awarded the Gold Award, but also the Bronze and Silver awards. To obtain the Bronze Award, Bailey and her troop volunteered at a retirement home. She played bingo, sang and read books aloud to residents. For the Silver Award, she worked with a children’s hospital and created 30 to 40 blankets for patients there.
“It was satisfying to know I was able to bring joy in a child’s life who doesn’t have a lot of exposure to happiness,” she said.
Of all the leadership skills Girl Scouts has taught Bailey, she believes understanding how to be a role model to others is the most important.
“I am capable,” she said, “of doing so much more than people expect me to do.”
