Spotlight on Scouting: Zadravecz’s Gold Award project features Hope Gardens
Each year, local Scouts complete projects in the community to earn the highest ranking in their various groups. The Glendale News-Press wants to share the Scouts’ good deeds with readers as they answer questions about their service projects.
Allison Zadravecz
How many years have you been in Scouting and where do you go to school?
I have been in Girl Scouts for 12 years, and I attend Crescenta Valley High School.
What was your Gold Award project?
My Gold Award project was titled “Growing Friendships at Hope Gardens.” I donated over 160 hours of my time to lead a summer camp for the children at Hope Gardens Family Center. Hope Gardens is a transitional living shelter for homeless women and their children. Over the course of five themed weeks of camp, I worked with children ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade, teaching them fun and educational crafts, activities and games. Some of the activities included decorating T-shirts, playing water-balloon tosses, planting flowers, creating Fourth of July cards and sewing tooth-fairy pillows. The crafts and games focused on helping the children develop important life skills and inspiring them with memories that they will never forget. I donated a book explaining all of the activities I completed along with supplies and toys to Hope Gardens so that my project could be sustained.
Why did you pick your Gold Award project?
One reason I chose my project is because I love working with children and it is rewarding for me to watch them learn new skills, have fun and create special friendships with them. Also, I chose my Gold Award project to provide children who are less privileged than me an opportunity to be exposed to creative crafts and fun games, since these activities were a memorable part of my years in Girl Scouting.
What is your favorite memory of your project?
My favorite memory of my Gold Award project was the friendships and special memories that I created with the children at Hope Gardens.
What is your other community involvement?
I have been an active Girl Scout, earning my Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards, as well as being involved in community service, such as packing shoeboxes for underprivileged children at the Operation Christmas Child Distribution Center and decorating Rose Parade floats. I have tutored children for four years in English, math and science. I am also involved in clubs at school, including being vice president and section leader of string orchestra, secretary/publicist of Autism Speaks Club, French Club and the California Scholarship Federation. I look forward to serving in more leadership positions next year at CV [High]. As a result of my Gold Award, I have earned the Violet Richardson Award from the Soroptimist Club of Glendale for my community service to women and children.
What are your future plans?
I plan to attend a private, four-year university and pursue a [career] that involves math, computer science or engineering.
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To let the News-Press know about more Scouting projects that helped local young people achieve their highest ranking, email mark.kellam@latimes.com or call (818) 637-3238.