The Gold Award is the highest achievement a Girl Scout can accomplish in her scouting career.

On Thursday, the Carbon County Commissioners and state Rep. Doyle Heffley presented Heather Moore of Girl Scout Troop 34229 of Jim Thorpe with a resolution and a House citation honoring her for achieving her Gold Award.Moore, 19, of Albrightsville, organized and completed a literacy awareness project book swap at summer camps in the Jim Thorpe schools last July."I collected books in June and July and separated them by grade levels," she said.To collect the books, she held book drives at various locations in Jim Thorpe."I then brought the books to the camps and all the kids also brought a book to swap. When they left every child went home with a new book," Moore said.She said she decided on this project because "I think reading is a really important thing in life."The project took several months to organize and complete.Moore said she started the extensive paperwork for the project in October 2013 and was approved to begin in May 2014.From there she dedicated over 50 hours of prep work to gather volunteers, collect books and do all necessary steps to guarantee a successful project.During this time, Moore also gradated from Jim Thorpe Area High School and began preparing for her future.She is currently attending Widener University, where she is working toward a career in special education with a concentration on elementary students.Heather's mother, Kerre, said she is very proud of her daughter for what she accomplished. Moore is also the daughter of the late Timothy Moore.The commissioners echoed Moore's mother's thoughts, commending her on a job well done."It's an honor for us to be able to do this," Commissioners' Chairman Wayne Nothstein said."It's very seldom we get to present Girl Scouts with this highest honor. Thank you for everything you did. We wish you well."Commissioner William O'Gurek said he had the opportunity to speak with Moore this past March about her program."To see a young gal want to help young kids to read and to get 50 to 75 people involved. There is no doubt in my mind that you will be a successful teacher as you are aspiring to be based on what you are showing us already," he said."Congratulations. You are an inspiration to everyone out there.""Today, with TV and cellphones, reading is extremely important," Commissioner Thomas J. Gerhard said. "I want to thank you for encouraging the young children to read."Heffley, who has a daughter in Girl Scouts, also echoed the county commissioners, saying that Moore is an inspiration to scouting."We don't do a whole lot of Gold Awards," he pointed out."I think it is great to see that dedication and commitment. Girl Scouting is a wonderful organization and I commend you for your achievement."