Olivia Valk, a Senior Girl Scout in Greeneville Troop No. 299, has been honored for earning the Gold Award, Girl Scouting's highest honor.

A press release said, "The Gold Award represents a girl's commitment to herself and to her community, as she focuses on leadership, career exploration, personal challenges, and completing a project that will benefit her community.

"It takes many hours of preparation, planning and work to accomplish the goals she has set. The process is comprised of pre-project requirements including earning at least four interest project awards related to the Girl Scout Gold Award Project: the Career Exploration Pin, the Girl Scout Senior Leadership Award, and the Girl Scout Challenge, before planning and implementing the Gold Award Project."

Valk's project was "Art's Five Senses." She held an art camp for disadvantaged children this past fall.

Valk planned the course, solicited local churches and individuals for supplies, implemented the course and held an art show to celebrate their accomplishments.

This project benefited approximately 30 children.

Troop 299 is led by Kim Abelson and Linda Henry.

Valk is a senior at Greeneville High School and is active in the marching and symphony bands, science club and an active member of Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

She has worked as a lifeguard at the YMCA for two years.

She plans to continue in scouting this summer as a lifeguard and counselor at Girl Scout Camp Sky-Wa-Mo.

She will attend Berry College in the fall. Valk has been a scout for 11 years.

She is the daughter of Tony Valk and Katie Taylor-Valk. The entire family is involved in scouting. Katie has been an active scout for 17 years. Olivia's sisters, Anneke and Jillian have earned their Girl Scout Gold and Silver awards respectively, and brother Reese, is active in Boy Scout Troop 94.