After her Girl Scout leader died suddenly in 2024, Tynsley Smith knew she wanted to earn her Gold Award, the organization’s highest honor.
“I was doing it for me. I was doing it for Ms. April,” said Smith, a Lakeside High School senior who achieved that honor and was recognized at a Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia Highest Awards ceremony May 2 at the Elks Club.
Smith’s leader was April Weldon. The former Senior Fund Development Manager for Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia and volunteer with Girl Scout Troop 27268 died on Sept. 13, 2024.
Smith said Weldon made Girl Scouts fun. Smith was introduced to the organization in elementary school through a club Weldon sponsored called Girlocity.
“Girls of color got together, and Girl Scouts was implemented in it,” she said.
Events were planned out seamlessly, and they were meeting Girl Scout requirements without realizing it. Smith stepped back for a couple of years but returned during the summer of 2023 and was fueled to meet her goal because she knew there were people looking up to her.
One of the main requirements in achieving the Gold Award is a service project which requires 80 hours of commitment.
For her project called “Inspiring Melanated Movement”, Smith wanted to expose girls to the classical forms of dance such as ballet and tap. Black dancers have been historically underrepresented in ballet.
Smith began dancing when she was about 2 years old and has been at her studio, A Creative Symphony about eight years.
She teaches toddlers and preschoolers those ballet and tap in a creative movement class. She’s also choreographed a piece for them to perform at their recital.
Smith plans to continue working with young children after she graduates. She’s committed to Savannah State University where she will major in education. Under a dual enrollment program, she’s already taken several classes toward her degree.
Not only is Smith involved in Girl Scouts and teaching at the dance studio, but she’s active in many groups at school.
She served as captain of the cheer team for varsity basketball, is a member of the National Technical Honor Society, Black Student Union FCA and Buddy Club.
Smith said being part of Girl Scouts has taught her many things including confidence and communication skills.
“If Girl Scouts has showed me one thing, it’s to always have a positive mindset, that there can be a good outcome. Something that’s bad today, by the end of the week, it’s going to be over. It’s going to be ok,” she said.
Other girls and adult volunteers were also recognized at the event.
Bronze Award (the highest honor for Junior Girl Scouts): Lucy Newton, Fields Dinos, Kelsey Risher and Ripley Criggedorn, Troop 20003, Aiken Equine Rescue Fire Rebuild Support; Kaidence McGrotha, Ryley Cushman and Kimberlynn Winston, Troop 20033, Little Library, Big Adventure; Leighton Buschor and Lily Whelan Troop 20036, Helping the bird population after Hurricane Helene; Lauren Valek and Morgan Dean, Troop 20073, Little Free Library and Swap; Emma Hall and Kylie Moore, Troop 20100, Summer snacks and community care supporting the Blythe Food Pantry; Taryn Reynolds, Harlee Dennies, Kaleah Deans, Amari Wilson, Gizelle Parks, Makayla Glover, Paige Jones and Phoenix Jimenez, Troop 20106, Reading with your grandparents; Mercer Lyle, Tori Douse, Alexis Williams, Kaila Jones, Inocencia Etienne and Lydia Butler, Troop 27268, History you can wear; Amelia Hussbaumer, Elizabeth Marinez, Mariah Mathis and Maya Davis, Trop 27315; Camp K.U.D.O.S; Jordyn Cannida, Sani Rogers, Savannah Fair, Amiya Ludwig, Ki’Arae Burton, Troop 27695, Little Library, Big Impact.
Silver Awards (the highest honor for Cadette Girl Scouts) : Emma Tennant, Gretchen Beier and Sophia Lombardo, Troop; 20036, Trail Markers and Map at Camp Tanglewood; Kennedy Green and Karis Mayes, Troop 20106, Little Raders, Big Futures; Charlee Adams, Troop 20156, Roots and Ropes; Madison Lewis and Erin Carpenter, Troop 27215, Month of the Military Child Recognized by the City of Augusta; Kaisa Jones, Troop 27268, Nursing home activity boxes
Gold Award (highest honor for Girl Scouts) : Tynsley Smith, Inspiring Melanated Movement
Adult Awards: Camp Tanglewood Adopt-A-Camp team, President’s Award; Quiana Wizzart, Honor Pin; Stephanie Simpson, Appreciation Pin; Jennifer Pittman, Outdoor Enthusiast Award; Lisa Brown, Outdoor Enthusiast Award, 25-year membership award; Tiffany Brinson, Spirit Award; TJ Fearnow, Courage, Confidence and Character Award.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s won multiple Georgia Press Association awards, is the recipient of the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award and was named Augusta Magazine’s best local writer in 2024 and 2025. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
