GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Five young women at local high schools have earned the Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouts.
The Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore (GSMISTS) says the ladies completed various projects this year, dedicating a minimum of 80 hours of service. They each create a project addressing an issue they are passionate about and ensures its continuation for years to come.
The Gold Award Girls Scouts develop leadership skills through the program. Here is a description of what each scout did, as stated in a GSMISTS news release:
Molly Potts Conklin, MI Troop 3747 In handling animals at the Berlin Fair, Molly noticed the setup left room for improvement concerning the safety of the handlers and the animals. Molly identified that a chute would allow for a more effective way to move large numbers of animals. With a chute available, the animals are less stressed during transport making it safer for the animals and the handlers as well. She worked to raise the funds to purchase a loading chute – a piece of farming equipment that costs over $6,000.00. She provided education and demonstrations to Berlin Fair Board Members, volunteers, and spectators. This addition to the Berlin Fair’s tools will improve safety for community members and animals involved in local farming.
Caydence Pawloski Freeport, MI, Troop 3986 Noticing that very few school playgrounds provide children with disabilities places to go that stimulate their senses or offer a relaxing place to be, Caydence wanted her Gold Award Project to address this gap in resources for her local community. Sensory and musical sensory gardens add to the development and senses of children so she set out to research, plan, and implement a sensory garden for the over 300 students with special education needs at Lowell Public Schools. Caydence worked to educate school staff, parents, and community members on this great addition to the school and identify the positive impact these gardens can provide students.
Emma Wahlberg Walker, MI, Troop 4019 Rain gardens are one way that Emma saw to improve water pollution; a cause she champions to ensure this natural resource in our Michigan communities is protected. She worked hard to identify a leading cause of the water pollution, research resolutions, empower others through education and communication. Emma demonstrated what it takes to create the rain garden, the benefits of the gardens, as well as a how-to guide so others can build their own gardens.
Jocelyn Tolliver Grand Haven, MI, Troop 4295 Observing the importance of inclusion of everyone in her community, Jocelyn noticed that there were opportunities for her to make a positive impact to improve handicap accessibility and education in the Grand Haven area. She coordinated a community event at a local playground, the Imagination Station, to provide education about adults and children that have a disability and how community members can better support them. Additionally. Jocelyn worked to get the Imagination Station added to the barrier free park list to help notify community members and tourist of this great recreation area for ALL to enjoy.
Makayla Socall Lowell, MI, Troop 3986 Identifying the increasing rate of adverse health impact, Makayla worked to incorporate more education and activities around nutrition. She provided an educational component in her education series and got second grade students at her elementary school involved in understanding healthy eating habits as well as planting and growing vegetables. Second graders at the school grew their own lettuce as an exercise to put their knowledge to use.
To learn more about the Gold Award, visit www.gsmists.org/highest-awards. To join us, volunteer, reconnect, or donate, visit www.gsmists.org.
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1 of 5 Molly Potts
2 of 5 Makayla Socall
3 of 5 Jocelyn Tolliver
4 of 5 Caydence Pawloski
5 of 5 Emma Wahlberg