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Kathryn Anderson of Mocksville has earned her Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting.

Anderson, daughter of Brad and Christy Anderson and a member of Girl Scout Troop 2151, grew her Gold Award project out of her love for racing mountain bikes.

Throughout high school, she raced with the National Interscholastic Cycling Association and wanted to give new girls in the program reassurance to not be intimidated by participating in a primarily boy dominated sport. She created a mentor/trainee program that is exclusive to girls and pairs new riders with more experienced riders to practice with, gain confidence and teach them the techniques of mountain biking.

The Gold Award represents the highest achievement in Girl Scouting, recognizing girls in grades 9-12 who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through sustainable and measurable Take Action projects. Each girl must dedicate a minimum of 80 hours to planning and carrying out her project, which must benefit the community and have long lasting impact.

“Earning the Girl Scout Gold Award designation is truly a remarkable achievement. It is the culmination of so many things- from a girl’s self-discipline and leadership abilities to time management and the creativity, initiative and mastery of skills it takes to complete these kind of projects,” said Lane Cook, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont. “Every girl who earns this prestigious award is making a difference not only in her community, but her own life as well. The skills gained through the Gold Award process are ones that will be used often in her future endeavors.”