Twenty-five isle Girl Scouts earned Gold Awards and were recognized in April, putting them in the top 5 percent of Girl Scouts across the nation.

The award is the highest achievement Girl Scouts in grades 9 through 12 can earn, requiring completion of at least 80 hours in a proj­ect that creates measurable and sustainable change for the local, regional or global communities.

The First Hawaiian Bank Foundation again supported the program with a $5,000 grant.

"The projects show that girls and young women today can accomplish anything they set their mind to," said Joanne Ari­zumi, senior vice president of First Hawaiian Bank. "It is truly a privilege to take part in the opportunities that the Girl Scouts provide."

Some of the Gold Award proj­ects honored included decreasing the feral cat population by organizing affordable spay and neuter clinics, re-landscaping the gardens at the Veterans Administration rehabilitation center to enhance recovery, and organizing a school supplies drive to send to students in impoverished Dakar.

Those recognized were:

» Bethany Anderson, Hilo, "Preventing Inhumane Treatment of Cats and Dogs."

» Caitlyn Anderson, Hilo, "Limiting the Impact of Invasive Mammals on Hawai‘i’s Fragile Ecosystem."

» Dori Lei-Chee, Hono­lulu, "Saving a Life Can Make a Difference."

» Bethany Cole, Kurtistown, "From the Garden to the Table."

» Catherine Coleman, Hono­lulu, "Native Stories."

» Carley Coppin, Kula, "Horses Fostering Youth."

» Heather Arielle Dupire-Nelson, Hono­lulu, "Diagnosing Early Reading Challenges."

» Kaylie Eko, Hono­lulu, "Giving Aloha to Our Furry Friends."

» Amra Evers, Hono­lulu, "The Key to Volunteering."

» Emma Green, Kane­ohe, "Healing Garden."

» Briana Grenert, Kai­lua, "Rocket Readers."

» Jessie Haylor, Maka­wao, "Health & Wellness Fair for Foster Children."

» Hannah Henderson, Hono­lulu, "Island Sustainability."

» Kelsey Kozuma, Kane­ohe, "Self Defense for Teens: Anti-Bullying."

» Kelly Lam, Hono­lulu, "Star Spangled Citizenship for Schools."

» Rafael Lee, Hono­lulu, "Bullying Beware."

» Jocelyn Louie, Kapo­lei, "Eat Local, Live Healthy."

» Diane Low, Hono­lulu, "Healthy Snacks."

» Marissa Lum, Kane­ohe, "Lei of Aloha."

» Emma McLeod, Hono­lulu, "The Other Forgotten Heroes of Pearl Harbor."

» Diana Sellner, Hono­lulu, "Bring Your Own Bag Hawai‘i."

» Ariel Todoki, Hono­lulu, "Shooting for the Stars."

» Erin Todoki, Hono­lulu, "Heart To Heart: Medical Play."

» Nicole Wheatman, Hono­lulu, "Repurpose for Learning: Proj­ect Senegal."

» Charlynn Yeung, Hono­lulu, "A Voice for Change: Raising Awareness for the Darfur Conflict."