Beaver Area Middle/High School girls went for GOLD in the annual TLC-sponsored event.

Girls from both Beaver Area Middle School and Beaver Area High School recently participated in the GOLD event, held at Beaver Area High School March 1 to discuss and explore good life choices.

Allyson Scuilli, senior, participated in GOLD this year. She was on the blue team.

“We did team bonding and worked together to create a skit to perform. We then did rotations together, and had free time to get to know each other and then did a scavenger hunt,” explained Scuilli.

This was Scuilli’s first time participating in GOLD.

“I regret not joining sooner. I would encourage others to participate; it was such a fun and rewarding experience, and I wish I could do it again,” said Scuilli.

TLC sponsor Mrs. Sarah Sams has hosted GOLD for the last decade.

“This year we did team building exercises, a scavenger hunt, yoga sessions, had presentations on topics such as self esteem and abusive relationships, and took a tour of the high school,” explained Mrs. Sams.

Senior Mackenzie Longo also participated in GOLD this year as a blue team leader.

“I absolutely loved participating this year. I was a group leader, so I also was in charge of putting together gift bags for all of the girls in my group, which was super fun as well,” explained Longo.

This is Longo’s second year participating in GOLD. However, it’s her first time as a leader.

This year there were a total of 46 girls who participated in the event: 21 eighth graders and 25 TLC members from senior high

The event began at 4:45 p.m. and ran until 11 p.m.

Senior Lindsay Malloy was a leader of the yellow team.

“Even if it was only one night, it was so much fun to be a mentor to the younger girls,” shared Malloy.

This also is Malloy’s second year participating in GOLD. Besides this year, she participated when in eighth grade.

“I would encourage others to participate. It’s such an awesome night, and you get to have fun with so many other girls,” explained Malloy.

This year, guest presenters Sam Gimigliano, Crystal White, and Alaina Gilah attended the event.

Mrs. Gimigliano spoke about self esteem, Ms. White spoke about abusive relationships, and Ms. Gilah helped with yoga.

“We see a need for girls to feel welcome and to talk about important things to them and sort of get out of their comfort zone and hang out with others,” explained Mrs. Sams.

“It depends on what the interest rate is around the time of the event, but it’s likely that I will host GOLD again next year,” said Mrs. Sams.