Aleena Pickett, the daughter of Sgt. Maj. Christopher and Diane Pickett of Suffolk, has earned her Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouts.

Aleena is a Girl Scout Ambassador in Troop 5292 and was a senior at Nansemond River High School this past school year. Aleena dedicated more than 65 community service hours toward her project, titled “Nansemond River High School Beautification Project.”

Aleena wanted to beautify the agricultural area behind her high school. To do this she power-washed and painted the courtyard, including the existing planters in the courtyard located behind the school. Two new planters were built using 80 retaining-wall bricks. In addition, she planted a cherry blossom tree, 54 lilies and 28 Mondo grass plants.

“This experience has taught me patience and determination, which I believe are two important keys needed to deal with any circumstance in life,” she said.

Aleena has been a Girl Scout for 12 years and will attend Mary Baldwin College in Staunton this fall, where she plans to study pre-med biology.

“My project has provided a more beautiful learning environment and a place for seniors to take pictures with their families on graduation day,” she said.

Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast, a United Way Agency, serves more than 16,500 girls in grades kindergarten through 12th grade.

For more information, visit www.gsccc.org or call 1-800-77SCOUT.