From STAFF REPORTS

Joy Rosa Jackson, a 10th-grader at Oak Mountain High School, recently earned her Girl Scout Gold Award. Jackson made a difference in the lives of local children attending the A.G. Gaston Boys and Girls club programs. By developing an empowerment program and collaborating with professionals in the community, she was able to educate the children on many options available when choosing a career path and pursing their dreams. She and fellow Girl Scouts, along with volunteers from the Jack and Jill of America organization, held mini-seminars that related to career fields including medicine, writing, history, engineering, math and music.