Pembroke Pines Girl Scouts’ Project Earns Prestigious Silver Award - Girl Scouts Of Southeast Florida Honors Young Changemakers Creating Lasting Community Impact

Motivated by the Girl Scouts shared passion for ocean conservation, Garcia and Pestana from Troop 14005 created “Saving Corals is the Moral” and partnered with Miami Waterkeeper and Adeline Nagle, Former Science Engagement Coordinator, to learn about the alarming rate of Coral decline caused by Global Warming and Pollution. The Girl Scouts launched a YouTube channel dedicated to educating others about Coral Reef health, producing informative videos and presentations explaining the causes of Coral bleaching and simple ways for individuals to help prevent this.

To expand their initiative beyond digital education, Garcia and Pestana hosted an in-person event for Girl Scouts and their families, featuring presentations, demonstrations and discussions about the vital role Coral Reefs play in the Marine Ecosystem and what steps can be taken to preserve them. Their event attracted more than 30 attendees while their educational videos collectively garnered over 300 views, sparking awareness and inspiring younger generations to protect Marine Life.

“The Silver Award challenges Girl Scouts to identify an issue, develop a solution and take meaningful action to drive change,” said Lisa Johnson, CEO of Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida. “These two young ladies demonstrated the creativity and leadership that exemplify what it means to be a Girl Scout, using knowledge and teamwork to make the world a better place.”

Garcia and Pestana were among 74 young female leaders in the region to earn the Silver Award during the recent 7th Annual Silver Award Showcase presented by the Gina Rose Montalto Foundation with additional sponsorship support from Amazon and HCA Florida Healthcare. Collectively, the 2025 Silver Award Class contributed more than 4,100 service hours through 35 projects that addressed issues including care for aging populations, Mental Health Awareness, Food Insecurity, Environmental Sustainability and Honoring Veterans.

“Our Silver Award recipients remind us that meaningful change begins with those who care enough to take action,” said Johnson. “These remarkable young leaders are honoring the past while shaping a brighter future. We couldn’t be prouder of their compassion, creativity and commitment to making a difference.

In 2024, in an unprecedented effort to amplify the voices of Florida girls, Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida unveiled the State of the Florida Girl Report, commissioned by the Girl Scouts of Florida Association, which was a groundbreaking assessment of the unique challenges facing girls across the state. The Florida Girl Report brings to light some startling realities about the circumstances impacting the daily wellbeing of girls in Florida. Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida provides programs tailored to the needs of today’s girls, offering a safe and supportive environment for every girl while addressing these specific issues effectively. The programming is designed to support girls at every stage of their journey, equipping them with opportunities and experiences they deserve to grow into successful, healthy, well-adjusted young women ready to lead life with confidence.

About Girl Scouts

We are the preeminent leadership development organization for girls who believe that every girl can be a go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, and leader with the power to change the world. More than any other organization in our community, Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida empowers girls ages 5 to 17 with vision and voice—girls who command their future, engage their communities, and inspire others. We offer every girl a chance to practice a lifetime of leadership, adventure, and success. Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida serves more than 6,900 girls in Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee Counties. To explore opportunities to volunteer or partner with Girl Scouts, call: (561) 427-0177. Or visit: www.gssef.org.