Heart of Juliette Award Presented to 9-year-old Stella Yurgiones — 

Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta (GSGATL) has congratulated Stella Yurgiones for earning the council’s “Heart of Juliette” award for demonstrating courage and quick-thinking when a fire broke out in her family home last fall.

Upon hearing an explosion and seeing flames outside a window, Stella — then age 8 — realized the garage was on fire. She alerted her sister and they collected the family dogs. Remembering advice from a school presentation on fire safety, Stella checked the door handles for heat before exiting the home and called 911 to report the fire. The two girls worked together to alert neighbors and family while they waited for the fire department. Though the girls were shaken, they were not injured.

“Earning the Girl Scout Council’s ‘Heart of Juliette Award’ is truly a remarkable achievement, and this exemplifies leadership in all its forms,” said Amy Dosik, CEO of GSGATL. “Stella’s resolve and quick thinking helped get her and her sister to safety and ensured a prompt response from the fire department.”

Stella received the award during a ceremony with her Troop 18022 of Peachtree City and thanked Cpl. Paul Smilley, School Resource Officer/DARE Peachtree City Police Department, for teaching her the safety tips which helped her remain calm during the house fire.

The Greater Atlanta Council recognizes Girl Scouts, like Stella, who have embodied Juliette Gordon Low’s famous quote “Girl Scouting is not just knowing … but doing … not just doing, but being.”