Spring Girl Scout earns Gold Award

Girl Scout Megan Townsend led a clinic for fourth-grade band, choir and orchestra students to earn the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Gold Award.    Townsend managed a group of volunteer instructors that taught 16 students about a variety of instruments, including the flute, trombone, viola and double bass. Students also made their own musical instruments, like tambourines and maracas, to take home after class.    "I chose this project because of my love for music and wanting to share it with kids who want to pursue it as a career," Townsend said in a press release. "I wanted to show kids that you don't have to be a doctor or a lawyer. You could be a performer."   The Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Gold Award is the organization's highest honor. Candidates for the award must go through a series of requirements, including two to three years of award achievements and more than 100 community service hours. The Gold Award project is one of the last hurdles, requiring candidates to plan and carry out their own significant community service project. Less than 5 percent of all Girl Scouts make it to Gold Award status.    A graduate of College Park High School in Spring, Townsend earned several music awards for solo and ensemble work as a member of the region choir and president of the orchestra. After 12 years as a San Jacinto Council Girl Scouts member, she will go on to Sam Houston State University in the fall to study vocal music education.    For more information on the San Jacinto Council and the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., call 1-800-392-4340 or visit www.gssjc.org.