Gold Award Celebration Program 2026

2026 Gold Award Celebration

Saturday, August 1 2:30 p.m.

Fort Worth Botanical Center Fort Worth, TX

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Girl Scout Mission Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

Girl Scout Promise On my honor, I will try: To serve God* and my country, To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law. *Members may substitute the word God in accordance with their own spiritual beliefs.

Girl Scout Law Nuestra misión Girl Scouts ayuda a las niñas a desarrollar el valor, la confianza y el carácter para hacer del mundo un lugar mejor.

La Promesa de Girl Scouts Por mi honor yo trataré: De servir a Dios* y a mi patria, Ayudar a las personas en todo momento, Y vivir conforme a la Ley de Girl Scouts. *Los miembros pueden sustituir la palabra Dios de acuerdo con sus propias creencias espirituales.

La Ley de Girl Scouts Yo me esforzaré por: ser honrada y justa cordial y servicial, considerada y compasiva, valiente y fuerte, y responsable de lo que digo y hago.

Y porrespetarme a mí misma y a los demás, respetar la autoridad, usar los recursos de manera prudente, hacer del mundo un lugar mejor, y ser hermana de cada una de las Girl Scouts.

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I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.

Gold Award Ceremony Welcome Special Introductions Presentation of Colors Girl Scout Promise Highest Awards History of Gold Award Gold Award Toast Presentation of Gold Award Girl Scouts Gold Award Girl Scout Challenge & Pledge Closing

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Gold Award Presenters Meg Jakubik, MPA, CGFO Meg is the Director of Budget & Strategy for the Town of Flower Mound. A Gold Award Girl Scout herself, she has been a dedicated volunteer with Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains for many years, serving as a troop leader, in Service Unit leadership, and on the Gold Award Committee. As part of a proud multi-generational Girl Scout family, she has witnessed firsthand the lasting impact of the Gold Award and is now cheering on her daughter, Kara, as she begins her own Gold Award journey. Meg is honored to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2026 Gold Award Class.

Cheran Hooper Gold Award Girl Scout Cheran is a senior at Wichita Falls Legacy High School and a 2025 Girl Scout Gold Award recipient. Her Gold Award project, Mindful Moments, created an outdoor wellness space to support children’s physical and mental wellbeing. A member of Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains’ Media Corps, Cheran will also serve as a SkillsUSA State Officer for the 2026–2027 school year, becoming the first student from Wichita Falls to hold the position in 26 years. She is excited to welcome and recognize the next class of Gold Award Girl Scouts.

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Gold Award Girl Scouts

Change the world, change your life, and earn the most prestigious award in Girl Scouting.

What makes a Girl Scout a Gold Award Girl Scout?

Gold Award Girl Scouts are rock stars, role models, and real-life heroes. How do they do it? By using everything they’ve learned as a Girl Scout to help fix a problem in their community and make a lasting change in the world.

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Poorvaja Alla Study Smarter with Sound Troop 4039 Carroll High School Graduation Year: 2027

For many students, putting on headphones before studying is second nature. But Poorvaja Alla wondered whether the music students chose was actually helping them learn—or making it harder to focus.

Her project, Study Smarter with Sound, explored the science behind music, memory, and concentration. Drawing on research in neuroscience and cognitive psychology, Poorvaja developed an interactive educational workshop that transformed scientific concepts into engaging, real-world experiences for fellow students.

Poorvaja set measurable goals to reach at least 50 students, collect participant feedback through surveys, and evaluate changes in students’ understanding of effective study environments. By the conclusion of the workshops, participants reported a greater awareness of how music affects learning and planned to make more intentional choices while studying.

To ensure lasting impact, Poorvaja designed her educational materials and workshop activities so they can be reused by teachers, libraries, student organizations, and future Girl Scouts. By helping students understand the connection between everyday habits and academic performance, her project encourages healthier study strategies that can benefit learners well beyond high school.

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Romena Alladin Games for Grannies Troop 1563 Colleyville Heritage High School Graduation Year: 2025

When Romena Alladin visited the memory care unit at Atria Senior Living, she noticed a simple but important difference.

While many residents enjoyed a variety of daily activities, those living with dementia had far fewer opportunities designed specifically for their abilities and needs. That observation became the inspiration for Games for Grannies.

Romena immersed herself in learning about dementia and the ways meaningful activities can improve quality of life.

She created a collection of sensory games, puzzles, memory activities, coloring pages, busy bags, and reusable resources designed to encourage cognitive engagement while also creating moments of joy. Throughout her project, she worked directly with residents and staff, adapting activities based on feedback and learning firsthand how small moments of connection can make a meaningful difference.

She also reached beyond the walls of one senior living community by educating classmates and community members about dementia, encouraging volunteerism, and organizing intergenerational activities that brought young people together with seniors. To make her impact sustainable, Romena created a website featuring free downloadable resources and personally shared activity packets with more than twenty memory care facilities.

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Lauren Baez Watch Out! Water Safety Awareness Troop 91201 Chisolm Trail High School Graduation Year: 2025

For Lauren Baez, water safety became personal after learning just how many children lose their lives to drowning each year. Living in a community surrounded by lakes and recreational water, she realized that many tragedies happen not because families don’t care, but because they don’t recognize the risks or understand how quickly drowning can happen.

Determined to change that, Lauren transformed complex water safety information into something children would actually enjoy reading—a colorful, interactive coloring book she designed herself.

Working alongside medical professionals, first responders, and YMCA staff, she ensured every page shared accurate, practical information in an age-appropriate way.

Lauren’s impact extended beyond education. She organized donations of life jackets, distributed Water Watcher tags to encourage active supervision, and staffed information booths at community events where she personally spoke with dozens of families. Survey results showed participants left with greater confidence in recognizing drowning risks and practicing safer behaviors around water.

Thanks to Lauren’s partnership with the YMCA, her coloring book will continue to be distributed annually during Healthy Kids Day and Splash Day, ensuring that her message of water safety reaches new families every summer.

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Raisha Bhojani Paws 4 Peace Troop 1563 Carroll Senior High School Graduation Year: 2025

High school can be overwhelming. Between exams, extracurricular activities, and the pressures of everyday life, stress has become a normal part of many students’ routines.

Raisha Bhojani wanted to change that- even if only for a day.

Drawing from her own experiences supporting a friend through mental health challenges, Raisha created Paws 4 Peace, an event that brought trained therapy dogs onto her high school campus to give students a chance to pause, breathe, and reconnect.

Working with Canine Companions, school leaders, and a team of volunteers, she carefully planned every detail -from coordinating logistics and obtaining school approval to developing educational materials that taught healthy coping strategies alongside the therapy dog experience.

The results exceeded expectations. More than 60 students participated, and surveys showed measurable reductions in stress while increasing awareness of healthy ways to manage anxiety. Students not only enjoyed spending time with the therapy dogs but also left with practical techniques they could continue using long after the event ended.

Rather than allowing the project to end with graduation, Raisha created a comprehensive planning guide so her school’s Student Council can continue hosting Paws 4 Peace each year.

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Hanna Bozeman Flags for Resting Veterans Troop 6151 Plainview High School Graduation Year: 2025

Every Memorial Day and Veterans Day, volunteers gather at cemeteries across the country to place American flags on the graves of those who served. Hanna Bozeman knew that simple act of remembrance was becoming increasingly difficult at Plainview Cemetery.

Many graves no longer had usable flag holders. Some had broken over time, others had disappeared entirely, and many flags were simply pushed into the hard West Texas soil, causing damage to both the flags and the gravesites. Rather than replacing flags year after year, Hanna wanted to solve the underlying problem.

Starting with little welding experience, Hanna researched durable materials, designed an improved flag holder, and learned to safely operate welding and fabrication equipment. Working alongside local mentors and community partners, she manufactured dozens of galvanized holders designed to resist corrosion while remaining highly visible for future volunteers.

By the project’s completion, Hanna had built 85 holders and installed 50 throughout Plainview Cemetery, with the remaining units available for future veterans’ graves. She also created an educational handout explaining proper U.S. flag etiquette and left detailed construction plans with the cemetery so additional holders can be built for years to come.

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Raegan Bradbury Girl Scout Military/ Relocation Liaison Troop 8240 Burkburnett High School Graduation Year: 2026

or many military families, moving every few years is simply part of life. But for Girl Scouts, each move can mean starting over— finding a new troop, navigating unfamiliar council policies, and sometimes losing progress toward badges, cookie rewards, or even the Gold Award. Raegan Bradbury knew those frustrations personally.

After experiencing multiple relocations herself, she realized there was no consistent support system to help military-connected Girl Scouts transition from one council to another.

She surveyed more than 100 military-connected Girl Scouts and their families and discovered that 98 percent reported facing similar challenges during moves. Using those findings, she designed an entirely new Military and Relocation Liaison program that equips trained volunteers to help families transfer between councils, connect with troops, understand local resources, and advocate for girls whose Girl Scout experiences are interrupted by relocation.

Raegan also created a digital newcomer guide, developed a “Sister Scout” mentoring program, and produced a complete volunteer training curriculum that can be replicated by other Girl Scout councils. By the completion of her project, a volunteer had already stepped forward to serve as the council’s first Military and Relocation Liaison, ensuring the work will continue long after Raegan graduates.

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Mariam Chagani Nourish and Nurture Troop 1563 Colleyville Heritage High School Graduation Year: 2027

Healthy eating can often feel complicated, expensive, or unrealistic. Mariam Chagani wanted to prove that it doesn’t have to be.

For her Girl Scout Gold Award, Mariam created Nourish and Nurture, a community nutrition initiative that brought together children and senior citizens through hands-on cooking clinics focused on practical, affordable healthy eating.

Rather than lecturing about nutrition, Mariam invited participants into the kitchen. Seniors learned to prepare healthier chicken wraps while discussing portion sizes and ingredient choices, while younger children assembled colorful yogurt parfaits as they discovered how fruits and other ingredients help their growing bodies. Her team also incorporated visual demonstrations, verbal instruction, and hands-on practice to reach a variety of learning styles.

Nearly 90 community members participated in the clinics, and both partner organizations—the Aging Gracefully Center and Colleyville Montessori School—plan to continue promoting healthy eating after the project’s completion.

By making nutrition education approachable, engaging, and practical, Mariam’s Gold Award reminds people that healthier habits often begin with small, everyday choices.

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Mihika Chowdhry Voices for Mental Health Troop 4039 Carroll Senior High School Graduation Year: 2027

For many teenagers, stress has become an everyday part of life.

Between school, extracurricular activities, and the pressure to succeed, knowing how to manage those feelings can be just as important as academic achievement. Mihika Chowdhry wanted to create a space where young people could openly learn about mental health while hearing directly from trusted professionals.

That vision became Voices for Mental Health, a community event that brought together psychologists, wellness experts, students, and families for an afternoon of education, conversation, and practical skill-building. Participants asked questions about stress, anxiety, and seeking help, followed by a guided yoga workshop that introduced relaxation techniques they could use in their daily lives.

To make the project sustainable, Mihika established a leadership position within the Mind4Youth nonprofit that will oversee future Voices for Mental Health events. She also created a website containing event transcripts and mental health resources, allowing the lessons shared during the program to continue reaching students long after the event concluded. Through her project, Mihika is helping create a community where conversations about mental health are encouraged and support is always within reach.

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Morgan Eanes A Basket of Fun for Senior Citizens Troop 1520 Nolan Catholic High School Graduation Year: 2027

A simple board game can do much more than pass the time— it can spark conversation, strengthen friendships, and bring people together. Morgan Eanes recognized that many older adults experience loneliness and limited opportunities for social interaction, so she created a project designed to make community gatherings more engaging and enjoyable.

Morgan’s project, A Basket of Fun for Senior Citizens, equipped senior social programs at Good Shepherd Catholic Community and St. Michael’s Catholic Church with baskets filled with board games, puzzles, cards, and other activities chosen to encourage interaction while helping keep minds active.

To make the project possible, Morgan coordinated a donation drive through Holy Trinity Catholic School, where she spoke to middle school students about the importance of senior socialization and inspired them to contribute games for the project. Morgan also focused on ensuring the project would continue long after her Gold Award was complete. She partnered with Holy Trinity Catholic School’s Student Council to establish an annual donation drive that will replace worn games and expand the collection each year.

Through this sustainable partnership, Morgan’s project will continue bringing seniors together through conversation, laughter, and friendly competition for years to come.

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Addison Goins Creating Libraries for All Troop 1419 Grapevine High School Graduation Year: 2027

Every child deserves the opportunity to experience the joy of reading, yet many traditional children’s books aren’t designed with students who have cognitive or sensory disabilities in mind.

Addison Goins wanted to help change that.

For her Gold Award project, Creating Libraries for All, Addison developed tactile, interactive children’s books that make reading more accessible for students with diverse learning needs.

By carefully adapting each book with textures, interactive components, and durable materials, she transformed familiar stories into engaging learning tools that encourage participation and build confidence.

Addison partnered with librarians, teachers, and student organizations across Coppell and Grapevine. She organized hands-on workshops where volunteers learned how to adapt books for accessibility, helping spread awareness about the importance of inclusive library collections while expanding the number of people capable of creating these specialized resources.

Addison donated ten completed tactile books to a local school library, where they will continue serving students for years to come. By combining education, collaboration, and sustainable resources, her project helps ensure that more children— regardless of ability—can discover the lifelong benefits and enjoyment of reading.

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Kenyon Johnson

Write Yourself – Literature & Self Expression Troop 3362 International Leadership of Texas Keller-Saginaw High School

Graduation Year: 2025

Books have the unique ability to help people understand both the world around them and themselves. For Kenyon Johnson, they also became the inspiration for a project that encourages students to express their thoughts and emotions through creativity rather than keeping them bottled up.

Through Write Yourself – Literature & Self Expression, Kenyon founded the Reading and Creative Writing Club at her high school, creating a welcoming environment where students could explore literature while developing their own voices as writers. Every meeting was intentionally designed to spark imagination and thoughtful conversation through guided journaling, storytelling activities, literary discussions, and creative writing exercises.

Members explored a wide range of genres while learning how writing can foster self-awareness, confidence, and meaningful connections with others.

Beyond weekly meetings, Kenyon expanded students’ understanding of the literary world by inviting a local independent bookstore owner to speak about writing, publishing, and entrepreneurship. Knowing the club’s greatest impact would come through its longevity, Kenyon invested significant time preparing future leaders. She developed an extensive collection of resources—including presentations, planning guides, meeting ideas, promotional materials, and journaling prompts—and personally mentored the incoming club president.

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Adithi Kankanala Step Up Against Diabetes Troop 4039 Carroll High School Graduation Year: 2027

For her Gold Award project, Step Up Against Diabetes, Adithi Kankanala partnered with Mercy Clinic to develop a comprehensive diabetes education program for individuals and families. After researching the disease alongside healthcare professionals, she created bilingual educational brochures, interactive presentations, and learning activities that explained diabetes risk factors, prevention strategies, healthy eating, physical activity, and lifestyle choices in simple, approachable language.

To bring the project to life, Adithi organized two successful community fundraisers that financed the educational materials and allowed her to donate funds to Mercy Clinic for future printing.

She then led an educational workshop where participants completed pre- and post-assessments, asked questions, and learned practical ways to reduce their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes or better manage the condition if they were already affected. Participants demonstrated significant learning gains, including an average 28% increase in knowledge and greater confidence in making healthy lifestyle choices.

Adithi focused on creating lasting impact beyond a single presentation. She donated all workshop materials to Mercy Clinic for continued use and personally trained a team of younger Girl Scouts to continue delivering the program in the future.

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Sanaa Khemani School Stress Kits Troop 1563 Colleyville Heritage High School Graduation Year: 2028

When students experience test anxiety, support isn’t always available in the moment they need it most. Sanaa Khemani wanted to change that by creating practical resources that students could access immediately during stressful situations.

Her Gold Award project, School Stress Kits, addressed the growing issue of academic stress by combining education with action. Sanaa researched test anxiety, developed presentations explaining the science behind stress and effective coping strategies, and organized school-wide educational sessions that encouraged students to better understand their mental health.

She also assembled 75 stress kits filled with simple tools that students could use before or during exams.

Sanaa recruited volunteers, partnered with local organizations for donated supplies, coordinated presentations with school staff, and created surveys to evaluate the program’s effectiveness.

Students reported overwhelmingly positive outcomes, with more than 90% saying the kits helped reduce their stress or anxiety and many returning to use the tools multiple times throughout the school year.

By partnering with her school’s Hope Squad and counseling office to continue annual supply drives and maintain kit distribution, she created a sustainable system that will continue supporting students facing academic stress for years to come.

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Kerrin McDevitt Serving Our Stars & Stripes Troop 4039 Carroll Senior High School Graduation Year: 2027

When Kerrin McDevitt overheard school staff discussing a worn American flag and suggesting it be thrown away because they didn’t know what else to do with it, she realized many people simply weren’t aware of the proper way to retire a flag. That moment sparked her Girl Scout Gold Award project, Serving Our Stars & Stripes, which combines public education with a practical solution for respectful flag disposal.

Kerrin led a team of volunteers in designing and constructing three American flag retirement collection boxes and installed in prominent public locations throughout Southlake. She worked closely with city leaders, schools, churches, veterans’ organizations, and community partners to secure approvals, coordinate installations, and promote the project. Kerrin also developed educational brochures, created a project website, wrote articles for local publications, and partnered with community organizations to raise awareness about U.S. Flag Code and proper flag retirement.

To ensure the project’s sustainability, Kerrin created detailed training materials for future volunteers, arranged for younger Girl Scouts to continue collecting and retiring flags, and established ongoing support from community partners who will help maintain the collection sites.

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Nia McKnight Where the Roads Intersect Troop 2112 Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts Graduation Year: 2025 After researching the impact of media stereotypes on Black girls, Nia McKnight realized that many young women rarely see themselves portrayed as fully human—capable of strength, vulnerability, creativity, and emotion all at once. She decided to challenge those narratives by creating Where the Roads Intersect, an original documentary featuring the voices and experiences of Black girls navigating identity, creativity, and the pressures of harmful stereotypes.

Nia served as writer, director, producer, and editor for the film, coordinating a team of student actors, filmmakers, and artists while balancing the many logistical challenges of an independent production. She researched the topic extensively, interviewed community members and professionals, wrote the script, organized filming schedules, edited hours of footage, created promotional materials, and launched the finished documentary online.

Nia has submitted the film to festivals, organized community screenings and discussions, and partnered with organizations including her former high school’s Black Student Union to continue sharing the film with future audiences. By creating space for honest conversations about representation and mental health, she hopes young Black girls will see themselves reflected more authentically and feel empowered to embrace every part of who they are.

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Mahika Mishra ABCs of First Aid Southlake Troop 4039 Carroll High School Graduation Year: 2027

When an emergency happens, every second matters—but many adults don’t feel prepared to respond.

After learning that only about half of U.S. adults know basic first aid or CPR, Mahika Mishra decided to help change that in her own community. Her Girl Scout Gold Award project, ABCs of First Aid Southlake, combined education, community partnerships, and hands-on learning to give families the confidence to respond during medical emergencies.

Mahika researched common childhood injuries, created an educational website, wrote first aid articles, recruited volunteers, secured donations through an Amazon wishlist, developed promotional materials, and organized a community workshop featuring physician Dr. Shweta Adya.

During the event, participants learned CPR, the Heimlich maneuver, wound care, drowning response, and other essential first aid skills before assembling take-home first aid kits. She also evaluated her project’s effectiveness through participant surveys, which showed knowledge scores nearly doubled after the workshop.

Looking ahead, Mahika created a plan for long-term sustainability by passing the program to another Girl Scout, allowing future workshops to continue serving Southlake families.

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Molly Muldowney Classroom Cool Down Kits Troop 91217 Chisholm Trail High School Graduation Year: 2025

Elementary school students experience stress, anxiety, and overwhelming emotions just like adults—but they often don’t have the tools to express what they’re feeling.

That realization inspired Molly Muldowney to create Classroom Cool Down Kits for her Girl Scout Gold Award. Molly wanted to help students recognize their feelings and practice healthy coping strategies before situations escalated.

Molly researched classroom emotional regulation techniques, collaborated with elementary teachers, recruited donations through an Amazon wishlist, assembled two classroom Cool Down Carts filled with sensory tools and calming activities, and designed an original Social Emotional Learning lesson introducing students to emotional awareness. Each classroom also received a QR code feedback system so students could share how the kits helped them, giving teachers ongoing insight into student needs.

Throughout the semester, Molly monitored the project, met regularly with teachers, replenished supplies, and refined the program when challenges arose—including rebuilding her feedback system after her original QR code unexpectedly expired.

She also created lesson materials, supply lists, and replacement instructions so the school can continue using and expanding the program in future classrooms.

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Toni Munoz Trail Education at Stevens Ranch: Mapping Big Tex Trail Troop 2716 Boswell High School Graduation Year: 2026 For many campers, exploring a new trail can feel intimidating— especially when maps are unclear or trail markers are missing.

Toni Munoz wanted to change that.

For her Girl Scout Gold Award, Toni transformed the hiking experience at Stevens Ranch by designing and installing a complete trail navigation and education system along Big Tex Trail. After researching trail design and surveying local troop leaders, she discovered that many people lacked confidence in their hiking skills and wanted better information about trail safety and the local environment.

Toni walked the entire trail using GPS mapping software to create an accurate trail map before designing trailhead signs featuring navigation information, hiking safety tips, native plants and wildlife, and QR codes linking hikers to detailed trail guides and educational resources. She also created brochures placed throughout camp facilities and produced an instructional video explaining how to use the trail system.

Working alongside camp staff and volunteers, Toni installed trail markers, trailheads, and additional wayfinding maps throughout Big Tex Trail. Stevens Ranch staff will continue maintaining the system, ensuring future Girl Scouts and campers can safely explore the outdoors with greater confidence.

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Jillian Neisler Furever Homes Troop 2716 Boswell High School Graduation Year: 2026

For her Girl Scout Gold Award, Jillian Neisler created Furever Homes, a community education initiative designed to help reduce the number of lost pets entering local animal shelters.

Jillian partnered with animal shelters and city governments in Saginaw, Lake Worth, and Fort Worth to educate pet owners about registration, vaccinations, and microchipping—simple steps that can help reunite lost pets with their families and reduce overcrowding in shelters.

Her project included designing permanent QR-code signs installed at ten public dog parks, allowing visitors to instantly access their city’s pet registration information. She also created educational brochures featuring low-cost veterinary resources, vaccination clinics, food assistance programs, and adoption information, while producing an instructional video explaining the pet registration process. Throughout the project, Jillian shared these resources at community festivals and local events, reaching pet owners across multiple communities.

Survey responses from participants showed increased understanding of pet registration and microchipping, while local shelters agreed to continue maintaining the signage so future pet owners can easily access the information long after the project’s completion.

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Chloe Payne See Something, Say Something Troop 53044 USA Girl Scouts Overseas

Sometimes the hardest part of asking for help is finding the courage to speak up.

For Chloe Payne, that realization became the inspiration for her Girl Scout Gold Award project, See Something, Say Something.

Drawing from her own experiences with bullying, Chloe wanted to create a safe way for students to share concerns without worrying about embarrassment, retaliation, or being singled out by their peers.

To address this need, Chloe established an anonymous reporting box in her school’s cafeteria. Students could write down concerns about bullying, conflicts, or other issues and submit them privately so school staff could become aware of situations that might otherwise go unnoticed. The project encourages students to use their voices, even when speaking face-to-face feels overwhelming, while giving educators another tool to identify problems and support students in need.

Chloe’s project reminds students that asking for help is a sign of strength and that everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, and valued at school. She completed her Gold Award while living overseas with her military family, demonstrating that Girl Scouts can create lasting change wherever they call home.

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Maheen Shahzad Re-Work CHS Courtyard & Help Students During Lunchtime Troop 1147 Central High School Graduation Year: 2027 At Central High School, an overcrowded courtyard with limited seating and shade made lunch less welcoming for students, often contributing to stress and student conflicts.

Maheen Shahzad believed the space could become something more.

For her Girl Scout Gold Award, Maheen launched Re-Work CHS Courtyard & Help Students During Lunchtime, a project that transformed the courtyard into a more inviting place for students to relax and connect. Working closely with school administrators and volunteers, she coordinated the installation of outdoor tables and trash receptacles. Recognizing that improving the physical space alone would not fully address the issue, Maheen also introduced organized lunchtime card games that encouraged students to interact, make new friends, and spend their free time in positive ways.

To ensure the project would continue after her Gold Award was complete, Maheen trained fellow students to lead the lunchtime activities and partnered with school staff to maintain the courtyard improvements. Maheen’s established a gathering place where students can continue building friendships, enjoying their lunch breaks, and strengthening their school community for years to come.

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Aliyah Sukhyani

Comforting Connections: Sensory Blankets for Seniors Troop 1563 Colleyville Heritage High School

Graduation Year: 2026 Watching loved ones struggle with dementia can leave families searching for ways to provide comfort and connection. After witnessing the challenges her own grandparents faced, Aliyah Sukhyani wanted to create something that could bring moments of calm and joy to others experiencing similar journeys.

For her Girl Scout Gold Award, Aliyah developed Comforting Connections: Sensory Blankets for Seniors, a project that provided handmade sensory blankets to residents living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease at Gala at Oak Crest Senior Living Facility. Working alongside volunteers, she created 25 tactile blankets featuring a variety of textures and interactive elements designed to encourage sensory engagement, reduce anxiety, and promote relaxation.

Aliyah organized workshops for caregivers and staff, demonstrating how sensory stimulation can support residents’ emotional well-being and improve daily interactions. Feedback from caregivers showed they felt more confident using sensory tools and noticed positive changes in residents’ mood, comfort, and engagement. She also created an instructional guide that the senior living facility now includes in welcome materials for new residents and shared the instructions online. Through compassion, education, and service, Aliyah’s project continues to bring comfort to seniors while empowering those who care for them.

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Sahana Talwar Outdoor Activities for Children Troop 3003 Robert L. Paschal High School Graduation Year: 2026

Children build confidence, friendships, and lifelong memories through play—but many don’t have access to outdoor spaces that inspire creativity and connection. Sahana Talwar wanted to change that.

For her Girl Scout Gold Award, Sahana transformed outdoor areas into colorful, interactive environments where children can learn, imagine, and spend quality time together. Her project focused on two community partners: Esther’s Safe Haven, a supervised visitation center serving families navigating difficult circumstances, and South Hills Elementary School.

Working with volunteers and community donors, Sahana designed and painted playground games, created oversized outdoor Jenga blocks, organized a painted rock scavenger hunt, and constructed a recycled tire bench using donated materials.

The project required extensive planning, volunteer coordination, fundraising, and construction management while overcoming unexpected obstacles along the way.

Today, hundreds of students benefit from the revitalized playground, and teachers, parents, and school leaders continue sharing positive feedback about how often the children use the new activities. Through her leadership, Sahana created spaces where children can build relationships, develop healthy habits, and discover the joy of playing outside.

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Brianna Vass Let’s Make STEM Fun! Troop 5000 Borger High School Graduation Year: 2025

Growing up in Borger, Brianna Vass understood how important STEM careers are to her community. Local industries rely on skilled STEM professionals, yet she noticed few students at her high school were interested in those careers. Rather than waiting until high school, Brianna decided to inspire students at a younger age.

To spark that interest, Brianna created Let’s Make STEM Fun!, an interactive STEM Night that introduced elementary students and their families to hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math activities. She partnered with two elementary schools, recruited volunteers, developed bilingual materials, secured support from Phillips 66 and local businesses, and tested the activities before the event.

The response exceeded every expectation.

More than 140 students attended—nearly three times Brianna’s goal—and 76% of participants reported a greater interest in STEM and a better understanding of STEM careers.

To ensure the project continued, Brianna donated a robotic arm, activity supplies, and instructional materials so local schools can continue hosting STEM activities. Her project not only introduced young students to STEM but also gave educators the tools to keep that curiosity growing for years to come.

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Addison Williams African Americans in STEM Troop 3921 Borger High School Graduation Year: 2025

For her Girl Scout Gold Award, Addison Williams created African Americans in STEM, an educational initiative that helps students discover the many opportunities available in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics while highlighting the achievements of African American innovators who have shaped these fields.

After recognizing the lack of diversity in many STEM classrooms and careers, Addison spent months researching both historical and modern African American leaders in STEM. She collaborated with STEM professionals, educators, and fellow students to develop an engaging presentation that introduced high school students to a wide variety of STEM careers, educational pathways, and role models. Through meetings hosted by Martin High School’s Black Student Union, students learned about careers they may never have considered.

Surveys showed that 85% of participants increased their understanding of STEM careers and African American contributions to the field. Students discussed joining STEM clubs, enrolling in additional STEM courses, and exploring college programs that aligned with their interests. To ensure the project continues, Addison partnered with the Black Student Union to preserve and expand the presentation so future student leaders can continue hosting meetings, updating resources, and inspiring the next generation of STEM professionals.

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The work of today is the history of tomorrow, and we are its makers.

Juliette Gordon Low, Girl Scouts Founder

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Silver Award Girl Scouts The Girl Scout Silver Award is the highest honor a Cadette can earn. The Girl Scout Silver Award recognizes Girl Scout Cadettes who research an issue important to them, make a plan to address it, and take action to improve their community. The following Girl Scouts earned the Silver Award April 1, 2025-March 31, 2026.

Arianne Acosta, Troop 2716 Lizzie Eastman, Troop 3544 Saira Allahbachayo, Troop 1562 Aiza Esmail, Troop 1562 Isra Allahbackayo, Troop 1562 Gracie Fergione, Troop 2737 Sophie Alum, Troop 1562 Sydney Forosisky, Troop 3544 Dani Ardito, Troop 3200 Diamond Garcia, Troop 5439 Kaelin Armas, Troop 5439 Allie Gibson, Troop 5754 Anabia Aziz, Troop 1562 Annabella Guzman, Troop 3544 Elizabeth Backers, Troop 1459 Myra Hakani, Troop 1562 Seha Bandara, Troop 1147 ruth Hakani, Troop 1562 Kyra Beard, Troop 5600 Evangeline Hanson, Troop 1459 Breezie Berguetski, Troop 5439 Allie Hill, Troop 5738 Samantha Bevan, Troop 2745 Kassandra James, Troop 5738 Madison Bigham, Troop 5600 Audrey Labor, Troop 3200 Lydia Brown, Troop 2716 Araina Lakhani, Troop 1562 Harper Brown, Troop 4039 Zohra Lakhani, Troop 1563 Ashley Carreto, Troop 6501 Abby Lawson, Troop 1176 Zoha Chandani, Troop 1562 Arabella Maison-Regan, Alexandria Coleman, Troop 3401 Troop 3390 Montserrat Cuavas, Troop 2716 Destiny McGwier, Troop 6073 Sophia Darcangelo, Troop 2737 Nolan Meyer, Troop 3544 Kennedy Desbien, Troop 5439 Aubrey Nelson, Troop 91215 Ava Durbin, Troop 2716 Adriana Ortega, Troop 5439 32

Gia Piedra, Troop 5738 Ileigh Pirtle, Troop 5600 Natalie Pochman, Troop 1176 Madeline Rayna, Troop 5754 Madalyn Reed, Troop 3401 Nolan Richardson, Troop 3544 Marbelina Roberts, Troop 1176 Jocelyn Rodriguez, Troop 3419 Layla Smith, Troop 5439 Aiza Sohani, Troop 1562 Rayna Taney, Troop 2745 Daryn Terrell, Troop 5738 Sanaya Tharani, Troop 1562 Katie Watts, Troop 2737 Addison Wheeler, Troop 3390 Hannah Wilson, Troop 1159 Marisela Woodard, Troop 6073 Freya Woods, Troop 1152 Bryntley York, Troop 5738

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Bronze Award Girl Scouts The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest honor a Junior can earn. Girl Scout Juniors team up to explore their community, discover a need or issue they care about, and work together to address it, making an impact in the community they live.

The following Girl Scouts earned the Bronze Award April 1, 2025-March 31, 2026W. Hannah Abdelfatlah, Troop 4056 Addy Bailey, Troop 1462 Annabelle Balson, Troop 4053 Madeline Bevan, Troop 2745 Ajna Bhalia, Troop 1119 Anaiza Bhimani, Troop 1561 Sarah Bhimani, Troop 1561 Evelyn Blythe, Troop 5034 Tegan Boggs, Troop 6460 Kyrie Boyd, Troop 2792 Vivienne Boyea, Troop 3353 Liliana Boykin, Troop 3577 Yzabel Bravo, Troop 5034 Sadie Carmichael, Troop 6460 Kimyra Carter, Troop 1559 Leila Carver, Troop 3353 Aspen Champagne, Troop 2745 Madeleine Charbeneau, Troop 1462 34

Madalynn Church, Troop 2010 Amelia Coleman, Troop 2745 Falen Connor, Troop 2792 Kylie Crenshaw, Troop 3577 Alexis Crowe, Troop 2774 Teagan Daugherty, Troop 2010 Summer Day, Troop 2792 Audrey Du Chateau, Troop 2010 Natalie Du Chateau, Troop 2010 Vivian Dunn, Troop 2048 Amaya Edmead, Troop 1559 Brielle Escarcega, Troop 6460 Claire Faggella-Luby, Troop 1663 Zoya Fazalbhai, Troop 1561 Shiloh Flodstrom, Troop 2048

Maddie Flores, Troop 4056 Kylie Ford, Troop 3577 Eleanor Foss, Troop 1663 Clara Franks, Troop 4053 Fabiola Garcia-Carbuccia, Troop 3577 Sofia Garza, Troop 1119 Harper Gessel, Troop 2745 Natalie Godinez, Troop 3577 Kalyn Gracey, Troop 3200 Hannah Grant, Troop 1152 Chelsea Gray, Troop 1152 Olivia Greer, Troop 1119 Nola Guzman, Troop 2048 Leilani Hammond, Troop 3577 Kylee Harrison, Troop 2716 Corinne Jarett, Troop 3577 Aiza Kalani, Troop 1561 Brooklyn Kennedy, Troop 6460 Eleanor Kent, Troop 2755 Aaliyah Khoja, Troop 1561 Eiliyah Lakhani, Troop 1561 Hana Lalani, Troop 1561 Rebecca Lambert, Troop 6151 Shanaya Makhani, Troop 1561 Zyana Manjayani, Troop 1561 Makyla McGrew, Troop 7216 Alison McKenzie, Troop 1559 Sophia Mehdi, Troop 1561 Nora Merkel, Troop 1462 Gemma Miller, Troop 2774 Ella Moody, Troop 1193 Chloe Moore, Troop 1193 Merida Morones, Troop 1559 Madison Murray, Troop 1559 Erin Nkache, Troop 2182 Ella Orth, Troop 3577 Penelope Parrish, Troop 2745 Abby Pena, Troop 1152

Megan Perez, Troop 1559 Daisy Perry, Troop 5034 Aliya Plasticwala, Troop 1561 Ella Pruett, Troop 5034 Andrea Purifoy, Troop 1119 Leslie Reid, Troop 7216 Janelle Roberson, Troop 3577 Ahtiani Rodgers, Troop 2010 Luna Rojas, Troop 6151 Eliza Sajan, Troop 1561 Ariana Salazar, Troop 6460 Violet Salgado, Troop 2792 Evelyn Segura, Troop 1559 Maddie Sellers, Troop 2745 Soha Shamsi, Troop 1561 Zoha Shamsi, Troop 1561 Camilla Simonson, Troop 1559 Jiya Siraj, Troop 1561 Sarah Smith, Troop 2755 Elianno Soto, Troop 6460 Sareena Surani, Troop 1561 Shiza Surani, Troop 1561 Myra Surani, Troop 1561 Shyanne Taney, Troop 2745 Chay Thao, Troop 2518 Sanaya Tharani, Troop 1561 Emily Tyree, Troop 5034 Anaya Villarreal, Troop 3440 Ruby Villarreal, Troop 1462 Jane Weaver, Troop 2048 Makiyah Webster, Troop 2010 Anna Wells, Troop 5034 Emma White, Troop 3577 Belle Williams, Troop 2048 Amelia Woods, Troop 1152 Maelle Zeusta, Troop 2716

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Special Thanks Gold Award Committee Ann Dickman Shelby Enevoldson Donna Hudson

Meg Jakubik Charmain Matthews Kristen Weber

Color Guard Girl Scouts Elena Hernandez, Troop 9473 Juleah Sanchez, Troop 9454 Laila Sifuentes, Troop 9427 Rozariah Whitfield, Troop 9427

Girl Scout Alum Association - Fort Worth Military Order of the World Wars, Fort Worth Chapter Major Robert Williams, US Air Force Retired

Families and friends of all Gold Award Girl Scouts Corporate Office 4901 Briarhaven Road Fort Worth, TX 76109 1-800-582-7272 customercare@gs-top.org gs-top.org 36