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City Council honors first Girl Scout Gold Award recipient

The City Council has recognized about 125 boys who have attained the rank of Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of America, but up to May 10, no girl scout had received council recognition for earning a Gold Award.

"It was really exciting," said City Clerk Joan Jones, who helps arrange recognitions at City Council meetings. "There have only been a few meetings where we haven't had an Eagle Scout, but Alex Grapenthin is the first Gold Award recipient we've recognized. A Gold Award is such an accomplishment."

Cindy Eade, Grapenthin's troop advisor, said the recognition was important, not just for Grapethin but for the program.

"I think the importance of being recognized in the public arena is that people aren't as aware of the Gold Award as they as are of the Eagle Scout," Eade said. "This meant a lot to Alex because not many people knew about it. It made her realize what she had accomplished."

Grapenthin, a 17-year-old senior at Centennial High School, earned the award by developing an arts and crafts curriculum for foster children visiting the Foster Care Support Foundation in Roswell.

Grapenthin, a member of Troop 6232, solicited donations of crafts materials for 25 possible projects the children could do during visits to the foundation center, which provides clothes and other necessities. She organized the materials, and created files with examples of each project that included a list of the materials needed and instructions so an adult volunteer could help.

"It's a huge hit," said Rachel Ewald, director of the foundation. "They get to do a crafts class instead of sitting in a playroom, and it's a fun thing."

Grapenthin is a member of the Centennial Anchor Club, the Cross Country team, the Soccer team, and the Track and Field team, which voted her Most Dependable. She also tutors at Hillside Elementary School.

Grapenthin plans to attend Clemson University next year to major in psychology.

"For the City Council to take the time to recognize her was very meaningful and powerful," said her mother, Cindy Grapethin.

Those interested in being recognized for Gold Awards and Eagle Scout rank should call Corrine Lindo at 678-512-3162.