Fountain Hills graduating senior and Ambassador Girl Scout Heather Garrett is going gold.

Garrett is in the final phase of earning her Gold Award, Girl Scout’s highest achievement, by completing a “Take Action Project” that identifies a root cause to a community or world issue with a lasting, sustainable solution.

Her Gold Award project addresses the issue of how to handle day-to-day life stresses.

“Our world is so stressful these days. I want to plant a prayer garden and provide a quiet, designated space to go for inspiration, meditation and mental healing,” the FHHS student said.

The Presbyterian Church on Fountain Hills Blvd. is the location for her project.

Pastor Bill Good and Bob Lull, building and grounds manager, will be working with Garrett throughout the project.

She will expand a community service project first launched by Boy Scout Ben Owens in 2007.

He built a ramada and named it “The Quiet Place” for his Eagle Scout project. Phase two, clearing paths and building stairs, was completed by Boy Scout Jacob Eberspacher in 2012 for his Eagle Scout project.

Phase three, beautification of “The Quiet Place,” broke ground this past Saturday, May 4, starting with ground preparation and irrigation lines being installed.

Garrett is in charge of the project with assistance from her Girl Scout Troop No. 1864, Boy Scout Troop Nos. 343 and 444, Gary Garrett, William Terry and Jorge G. Abril, RA, Garrett’s Gold Award project advisor.

There will be a dedication ceremony upon completion of phase three, projected for the end of this summer.

Abril, owner of Abril Architecture LLC in Phoenix, is donating his time and architectural expertise to Garrett’s project.

He said, “I firmly believe that the business community needs to mentor and support our youth whenever we can; helping them expand and grow their leadership skills impacts all of us as they will become our future leaders.”

To go for “Gold,” a girl must be in grades 9-12, a registered Girl Scout and have completed the Gold Award prerequisites consisting of: earn the Girl Scout Silver Award, second highest award in Girl Scouting, and one Girl Scout journey or earn two Girl Scout journeys.

Each “journey” takes numerous steps and several months to complete, each ending with a Take Action project benefiting the community.

“It takes dedication, perseverance and a passion for helping others to complete all the steps needed to go for Gold,” states Nita Blose, Fountain Hills Girl Scout service team member.

“I am very proud that Heather has chosen to earn Girl Scouts’ highest award.

“Earning her Gold Award speaks for the caliber of person Ms. Garrett has already become.

“Earning your Gold Award comes with clout!”

Since 1916, one million girls have earned the Gold Award or equivalent.

A Gold Award recipient on average spends one to two years on her Gold Award, from finishing all prerequisites through the completion of their Gold Award Project.

Gold Award recipients who join the armed services enter one rank higher than other recruits. University research indicates that adding the Gold Award to a college application is a critical element in the admissions decision process.

And finally, there are scholarships available to recipients of the Gold Award.

If you would like to support Garrett and her prayer garden, she is in need of landscape help, plants, pots and potting supplies.

Her wish list includes (3) Chilean mesquite trees, (3) Blue Emu plants, (3) red yucca plants, (4) desert sage plants, (1) black Dalea shrub, (1) Jojoba shrub, (2) Arizona Rosewood plants, (1) tan stone bench, (4) hanging potted succulents, (16) lantana confetti plants, stone planter boxes and potting supplies.

If you would like to be part of Garrett’s Gold Award Project Team or donate plants or supplies or money toward purchasing them, contact Blose at (480) 296-3101.