Jessica Ervey, a Hackettstown High School student, earned her Girl Scout Gold Award by planting a garden of herbs, fruits and vegetables at a local domestic abuse center for women and children.
Jessica Ervey, of Allamuchy Township, earned her Girl Scout Gold Award by planting a garden of herbs, fruits and vegetables at a local domestic abuse center for women and children.
Jessica Ervey (Courtesy photo) The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest award a Girl Scout can earn and requires the completion of a leadership project of at least 80 hours. Each girl must discover an issue in the community, connect with experts and community members, and take action to effect positive change.
"I am a farmer and agriculture is part of my life," Jessica said. "I wanted to bring my love and passion for agriculture to women and children in need. So many of them will be able to raise vegetables to ensure they get nutritious foods for their families."
Jessica has been a Girl Scout in Troop No. 721 since kindergarten and says she was inspired to achieve her Girl Scout Gold Award to follow in her cousin Cassie's footsteps. She says Girl Scouting has given her valuable skills for the future.
"Girl Scouts helped me become a responsible and caring adult," she said. "It transformed me into a well-mannered and outgoing woman. It also taught me that helping younger kids gives me an amazing feeling."
Jessica graduated from Hackettstown High School in 2015 and is currently a first-year student at Centenary College. She plans to become a kindergarten teacher.