Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England recently announced that Acadia Ullucci, of Rumford, earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting.

Titled “Social Emotional Crafternoon”, Ullucci’s Gold Award project involved collaborating with the East Providence Public Library to host monthly programs for kids aged 4-7 and their parents who were looking to learn more about social-emotional well-being and skills.

At each meeting they would read a book, teach coping skills, and complete a craft related to the topic they covered that month. Some examples of topics include communication skills, self-esteem, problem solving, gratitude, and active listening.

As the meetings progressed, Acadia saw a lot of progress in the kids who returned each month, saying that they were more creative, engaged, and had improved communication skills. Their parents also reported the progress. This project helped improve awareness and development for mental health resources in the community Ullucci grew up in. It also provided an opportunity for children to learn about important topics in a safe environment. The hope was that the skills they learn during the program would be able to be utilized throughout their lives and into broader society.

“I would not be the person I am today without the experiences I had in Girl Scouts,” Ullucci said. “Being a Girl Scout has taught me numerous core values, including the importance of honesty, collaboration, perseverance, communication, and putting my best foot forward in everything I do. I have learned so many skills and met amazing people that I will cherish and employ in my everyday life. I will carry these values with me as I grow into adulthood and navigate my way through my college and career goals.”

About the Gold Award
The Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting, acknowledges the power behind each Gold Award Girl Scout’s dedication to not only empowering and bettering herself, but also to making the world a better place for others.

Ullucci joins the millions of Girl Scout alumni around the world who have successfully created, developed, and executed “Take Action” projects that have positively impacted their communities and the world, earning Girl Scouts’ highest award.

The 2025 Gold Award Girl Scout class identified issues in their communities, took action, and found or created solutions to earn their Gold Awards, addressing real-life problems such as environmental sustainability, racial justice, mental and physical well-being, and gender inequality in STEM.

According to recent research, Gold Award Girl Scouts are more likely to fill leadership roles at work and in their personal lives and are more civically engaged than their non-Girl Scout peers. Eighty-seven percent (87%) of Gold Award Girl Scouts agree that earning their Gold Award gave them skills that help them succeed professionally. Seventy-two percent (72%) said earning their Gold Award helped them get a scholarship. Changing the world doesn’t end when a Girl Scout earns her Gold Award. Ninety-nine percent (99%) of Gold Award Girl Scout alums take on leadership roles in their everyday lives.

To join Girl Scouts or learn more about volunteering, please visit www.gssne.org/join.