From staff reports
Audrianna Van Tassel of Knox received the Gold Award in Girl Scouting during a ceremony at Grace Evangelical Congregational Church in Ninevah.
She is the daughter of Dwayne and Julie Van Tassel of Knox.
State Sen. Scott Hutchinson (R-21) and state Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-63) both attended the ceremony and presented Van Tassel with citations for her accomplishments.
Her project was a clinic for self-defense. She contacted several different groups to help her instruct how to defend oneself against an attacker: starting with talking down an aggressor, what to do in different scenarios, basic defensive skills and basic First Aid skills.
She organized the entire event to include date, place, time and objectives. She stayed in contact with her project advisor, Capt. John A. Hurd of the United States Army, and her instructors through the entirety of the project.
She hosted two sessions, one for homeowners and senior citizens and the other for college and high school aged students.
Van Tassel graduated from Keystone High School in May and served in a leadership position as captain of the girls varsity track and field team.
She was supported in her Gold Award effort by Hurd as her project advisor; Clay Kennemuth, an EMT for Clarion Hospital; Kim Titley; Vicki Miller, troop leader; Chris Richardson of Clarion County Career Center; and her family.
Van Tassel plans to attend Clarion University for a bachelor’s degree in psychology after completing basic combat training and advanced individual training through the U.S. Army this fall.
The Gold Award presented by Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania recognizes girls in grades 9 through 12 who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through sustainable and measurable Take Action projects that address important community needs.