There's something to be said for delaying gratification, for working toward a goal, for positively reinforcing desirable behavior. They can lead to the development of a work ethic, problem-solving skills and even self-confidence.

For Lizzy Matthews, those are big parts of what being a Girl Scout and the Gold Award are really all about.

"(Being a Girl Scout) has certainly helped to shape the person I am today," said Lizzy, a rising junior at Warwick High School.

"It might be hard to earn a Gold Award," said Lizzy's mom, Carrie Jo Matthews, "but it's totally worth it to help others. I think that's a good practice. Sometimes you have to balance things. Time management is a huge life skill. That's one of the good things that's come from it."

A member of Troop 70539 of the Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania, which meets at Lititz United Methodist Church, 201 Market St., Lititz, Lizzy was recently presented with a Gold Award, the highest honor granted by the organization. The equivalent of the Boy Scouts' Eagle Scout rank, the Gold Award can be viewed as the culmination of a long-term commitment to Girl Scout activities and duties.

"I was either in the first or second grade when I saw this girl who had a Bronze Award, a Silver Award and a Gold Award," said Lizzy. "I asked my mom what they were, and that's when I decided I wanted to get them."

Lizzy formally received her Gold Award at a special ceremony at Bucknell University on June 9. She was one of 70 members of the Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennyslvania chapter to be honored that day.

"I was really excited to be there," said Lizzy. "It was really cool to see the other projects and hear about them. It's the highest award in Girl Scouts. It's something I've been looking to do since joining Scouts."

One of the final steps in Lizzy's journey to her Gold Award was the completion of an 80-hour project designed to make the world and her community a better place. With the help of her dad, Doug Matthews, Lizzy built a Little Free Library and placed it in front of Ferris Wheel Clothing Bank, 213 Swarthmore Drive, Lititz.

"My dad and I came up with the design, and we built it from scratch," said Lizzy. "One of the hardest parts was getting the Plexiglass into the frame and getting it to hold. The Gold Award project has to be something sustainable in your community and something that fills a need you see. (Little Free Libraries) are important because they're great ways to share with the community. If someone has a book, they have the ability to share it with their community."

During her 10 years in Girl Scouts, Lizzy has earned nearly 50 merit patches. Among her favorite patches were ones for entrepreneurial skills, first aid and global cuisine.

"My mom was a Girl Scout," said Lizzy, "and she just kind of encouraged me and I ended up liking it."

"I think Girl Scouts has encouraged her to work with others and to be a leader," said Carrie Jo. "She helped run our whole day camp last year. She just kind of took her ideas and ran with them. She enjoyed working with the younger girls, and she's learned how to deal with people who don't have the same views as her."

For additional information on the Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania, go to http://www.gshpa.org.