McNeil Student Earns Girl Scout Gold Award

A local junior launched a campus self-defense club to win the highest achievement in Girl Scouts.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Teens

McNeil Student Earns Girl Scout Gold Award

Live Poll

Is it a priority that high schoolers receive formal self-defense training before leaving for college?

Nikita Devasthale, a junior at McNeil High School in Austin, has earned the Girl Scout Gold Award after establishing a self-defense club for her peers. The project aims to equip high school students with essential safety skills before they transition to college.

Why it matters

The initiative seeks to provide students with practical self-defense knowledge, preparing them for increased independence as they move into higher education.

The school self-defense club sees 15 to 20 students attend each monthly meeting, which lasts between 30 and 40 minutes. Participants have shown a high level of satisfaction, with 88% indicating they would return or recommend the club to others.

The players

Nikita Devasthale

A junior at McNeil High School and a second-degree black belt who earned the Girl Scout Gold Award.

McNeil High School

An Austin-based secondary school that serves as the host site for the student-led self-defense club.

Golden Hands Martial Arts

The local training facility where Devasthale developed her skills as a martial artist.

The details

Devasthale, who is a second-degree black belt and trains at Golden Hands Martial Arts, led the community service project to meet the rigorous requirements of the Gold Award. The club provides instruction designed to give students confidence and preparedness during their transition to university life.

The self-defense club was launched at McNeil High School in 2025.
Devasthale earned the Girl Scout Gold Award in October 2026.

Culture Shift

This project aligns with the Girl Scout Gold Award service project requirements, which challenge scouts to identify and address community needs through structured leadership. By focusing on personal safety, the initiative reflects a shift toward equipping students with practical life skills beyond traditional academics.

Austin students at McNeil High School can utilize the club as a resource for monthly self-defense training sessions. The initiative provides a no-cost opportunity for attendees to build safety skills during the 30 to 40 minute after-school meetings.

The takeaway

Empowering students through specialized training programs like self-defense clubs can significantly boost confidence and safety preparedness. Teens can look for similar community-focused opportunities to fulfill service requirements while providing meaningful utility to their classmates.