Victoria Carrell, 13, a Tamaqua Cadette in Girl Scout Troop 31211, recently completed all the requirements to receive the Girl Scout Silver Award, the second highest award possible. The award represents a girl's ability to identify and respond to community needs.

Her most recent accomplishment to earn this award was the revitalization of Centennial Park in McAdoo on East Sherman Street.Inspired by her parents' presence on the centennial committee in 1996, when the park was first dedicated, Carrell wanted to take on the challenging task of restoring the park, which hadn't been properly maintained, according to neighbors."Instead of keeping it decrepit-looking," Victoria's father Richard said, "it was time to spruce it up."With the help of her sister Kristyn, parents Cathy and Richard Carrell, and her Girl Scout troop, Carrell took on the task of turning the park into an enjoyable place for local residents to relax. Some aspects of the project included pulling weeds, planting flowers, staining wood for the benches and renewing the park's old sign."My favorite part was seeing the changes in the park," Victoria said, "how much I cleaned it up and how much better it looks now."Prior to starting the work, Victoria went in front of the McAdoo Borough council and got permission to do the work to the park.The park also contains a garden of daisies and roses with an engraved steppingstone, done in memory of her friend Halley Wargo.In addition to those efforts, Victoria wrote letters to several companies raising material donations for the project.Once Victoria receives approval for her completed project from the Girl Scouts Award Committee, she will officially be presented the silver award during a ceremony in the fall.Carrell's next step, continue working towards her goal of earning her Gold Award, the highest award a girl scout can earn.