The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest achievement a Girl Scout can earn. It challenges me to identify a real-world issue, research it, and take meaningful action that creates lasting change. I chose to focus on ACL tear prevention, especially in young female athletes. Girls are up to 8 times more likely to suffer ACL injuries than boys in some sports. That difference is preventable with the right training, knowledge, and awareness. My goal is to empower athletes to move smarter, not just harder.
Welcome! My name is Sofía Ramos and I'm an Ambassador Girl Scout working towards my Gold Award. As an athlete myself, I’ve seen the physical and emotional toll ACL injuries can take on young athletes, especially girls. I created this website because I want to raise awareness and share tools to help prevent ACL tears. Whether you're an athlete, coach, parent, or physical therapist, I hope this page helps you understand the risks and take smart steps toward safer play. Explore the site to learn more about ACL injuries and how we can prevent them together.
Two of my friends in my soccer club team suffered a serious ACL injury during a game, and it changed their life. They were forced to take a break from the sport they loved and were out for an entire year. It was tough watching them go through surgery, rehab, and all the emotional ups and downs. They were one step away from losing the chance to ever play again, but their strength and determination kept them going through it all and are back on field once again.
As part of my Gold Award project focused on ACL injury prevention, I partnered with my local AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) to raise awareness and promote safer athletic practices. By collaborating with AYSO coaches, players, and parents, I was able to share research-based warm-up routines and injury prevention techniques specifically designed to reduce the risk of ACL injuries in young athletes. I engaged with local healthcare professionals such as athletic trainers, coaches, players, and parents. Central care physical therapy is a local business that helps people in this area. Dr. BP Nguyen wrote an article for the Chino Hills sports magazine on this topic. Through workshops, informational materials, and interactive demonstrations, this partnership ensures that the entire community plays a role in protecting youth athletes and promoting long-term wellness on and off the field.