2022 GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARDEES Eleanor Nold Cross Country Connections Eleanor’s Gold Award Project addressed the issue of suicide and mental health in young adults through a pen-pal letter campaign from California to Maryland to broaden people’s horizons and start a discussion on mental health in one’s community
Lily Nunenmacher Project Clean Waters Lily’s Gold Award Project addressed the issue of the lack of education about plastic pollution for the San Pedro beach community. At Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, she created 4 interactive display boxes about the dangers of plastic pollution. She also led a recycled materials art project for three 5th grade science classes.
Rachel Oh Mira Costa Choirs Mentorship Program Rachel’s Gold Award Project addressed the issue of mental health issues in children by connecting students through music. She created the first choir mentorship program in her school district which allowed high school choir students to reach out and mentor elementary choir students. The sessions involve activities to promote mental health, the feeling of community, and music education.
Kelli Ong Home Tweet Home Kelli’s Gold Award Project addressed the issue of the declining bluebird populations in Southern California by educating the public on local conservation efforts, organizing free nesting box building workshops, and constructing 50 nesting boxes, all of which were assembled by children and younger Girl Scout troops throughout the community.
Sofia Nunez Transitional Housing Playroom Sofia’s Gold Award Project made an impact on her community by creating a playroom for kids ages 5-10 who live in a transitional housing facility in Chatsworth. All the materials in this room were either donated by family and friends or purchased with Girl Scout Cookie Program earnings.
Brynn Ottolia Mental Health Space & Workshops Brynn’s Gold Award Project made an impact on her community by creating a project that equips special needs youth with strategies to use when feeling stressed, anxious or overwhelmed.
Tasmin Owen Memorable Music Tasmin’s Gold Award Project made an impact on her community by providing a virtual performance experience to members of assisted living facilities. She put together a website and uploaded different musical videos, including orchestra, band, and choir students. She shared this website with three assisted living facilities and was able to share her creativity and passion for music with an audience that found it to be an incredibly positive experience.
Maureen Parker My Emotions and Me Maureen’s Gold Award Project made an impact on her community by exploring social and emotional topics with the goal of arming children with the skills necessary to lead a healthy and present lifestyle. With the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related isolation, social and emotional health has been compromised, emphasizing the need to teach children at an early age the skills to understand and manage their emotions. Through a self-published children’s book written and illustrated by Maureen and supporting curriculum, children gain a positive relationship with their mind and body, better preparing them for the future!
Ava Paulsen N.E.A.R. Delivery Service: Notes of Encouragement and Advice for Rising Students Ava’s Gold Award Project addressed the issue of student mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing letters of encouragement and advice written by high school students to elementary schoolers who were transitioning to middle school after a year of online distance learning.
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Emilie Petit COVID-19 Mask Making Club Emilie’s Gold Award Project made an impact on her community by creating a mask making club at her high school that taught students how to make masks that would be donated around their community. Through the club, over 400 masks were donated, and information was shared through the club’s social media to promote safety and health. Student members were also able to gain service hours needed for graduation through participation.
Alissa Pfeffer Girls Exploring Majors in STEM (GEMS) Alissa’s Gold Award Project addressed the issue of gender inequity in STEM by creating a Society of Women Engineers club and GEMS Speaker Series. Female professionals from STEM companies like Apple, NASA, and Boston Scientific, gave personal advice to high school students and Girl Scouts nationwide. Students from collegiate Society of Women Engineers sections at Stanford, UCLA, and UC-Berkeley were also featured to share their experiences.
Avery Phillips Preschool Outdoor Play-Area Renovation Avery’s Gold Award Project made an impact on her community by assisting Westminster Presbyterian Church’s Preschool on their yard renovations. She worked with a team to enhance the yard’s play kitchen, building a fence for play pots and pans to hang, creating a garden area for kids to use soup cans to plant flowers, and painting rocks to serve as play food. Avery and her team’s additions to the yard made the area much more interactive and entertaining for the children who continue to use it daily.
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