Girls Change the World
2023 Gold Award Girl Scouts
two thousand and twenty-three Gold Award Girl Scouts
Please join us as we recognize and honor the girls who “Took Action,” earned their Gold Award, and made the world a better place.
Lily Ardinger Stibal
Millie Belik*
Emily Borges*
Katy Bruggeman
Aida Burks
Harleigh Claussen*
Anne Cook
Jessica Craft*
Sydney Escritt
Abby Harveson*
Sabrina Heckens*
Marigold Helvey*
Abigail Hutchinson
Rook Jacobsen*
Ella Johnson*
Mackenzie Krenk*
Amelia Larson
Elizabeth Marsh
Sara Micanek*
Kendall Nothhorn*
Hannah Sims*
Audrey Splichal*
Ria Vootla*
Jasa Wiedel*
*Indicates girls who have earned Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards
about the Gold Award
The Girl Scout Gold Award represents the highest achievement in Girl Scouting.
Open only to girls in high school, this prestigious award challenges girls to change the world – or at least their corner of it.
Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska recognizes the dedication of the young women who identified a need in their community, built a team, developed a plan, and Took Action to make a measurable and sustainable impact.
For many, the experience that comes from “Going Gold” sets the foundation for a lifetime of active citizenship and often the direction for a career.
Since 1916, the best and brightest have undertaken projects to improve their communities and beyond. Over the years, thousands of women have earned Girl Scout awards for excellence in leadership: The Golden Eaglet, Curved Bar, First Class, and the Gold Award!
Congratulations to our 2023 Gold Award Girl Scouts who join a remarkable century-long tradition of leadership.
the benefits of Going Gold
Gold Award Girl Scouts do well in life! They rate their general success significantly higher than their peers and report greater success in reaching their goals.
Girls who earn the Gold Award say the experience:
• Gave them greater confidence
• Made them feel more optimistic about their future
• Encouraged them to seek additional leadership experiences
• Helped them focus on a successful career, financial security, and being a leader
• Inspired them to seek volunteer experiences and to make charitable donations
• Motivated them to continue to be civically engaged
• Strengthened their appreciation for Girl Scouting and how it has shaped their lives
Lily Ardinger Stibal
Hometown: Lincoln
Parents: Susan Stibal and Brian Ardinger
Troop Leader: Jen Quaranta
Project Advisor: Kelly Farquharson Bevens
TMPRSS3 Hearing Loss Resource
When individuals determine their hearing loss is related to a genetic variant in TMPRSS3, they often look to the internet for answers. Unfortunately, current available resources and information are limited and highly complex. Through a collaboration with a hearing loss organization, worldrenowned researchers, and universities, Lily created the TMPRSS3 Hearing Loss Resource. It is the first comprehensive and easy-tounderstand resource/website that connects people worldwide who are impacted by and study the gene TMPRSS3 and its related hearing loss. It has already become an essential translational science tool for hearing loss genetics.
Millie Belik
Hometown: La Vista
Parents: Regina and Mike Belik
Troop Leaders: Jenny Brooks and Regina Belik
Project Advisor: Julie Hahn
Cake Pan Checkout
For Millie’s Gold Award Project, she established the Cake Pan Checkout at the La Vista Public Library. Millie enjoys reading, so the library has always been a special place, and birthday cakes are a memorable tradition in Millie’s household because she always helped her mom bake the cakes. She wanted to give back to the library and her community, so Millie collected over 50 cake pans to create the checkout. The pans include characters, shapes, and holiday themed. Along with the cake pans, Millie created a blog with different recipes and educational videos for cake baking and frosting decorating.
Emily Borges
Hometown: Grand Island
Parents: Samantha and Louis Borges
Troop Leader: Barbara Bosak
Project Advisor: Emily’s Mental Health
Therapist
Mental Health in Youth
As a teen, Emily struggled with her mental health. She received the help she needed and learned along the way she wasn’t alone. This was the message she wanted to pass on to other young people living with mental health challenges. She created “Believe in Yourself” bags containing a variety of toys, fidgets, and school supplies offering comfort to youth living with anxiety and depression. She also took the opportunity to speak to her church group, school teachers and classmates about the importance of mental health and getting help if needed.
Katy Bruggeman
Hometown: Papillion
Parents: Rhonda and Michael Bruggeman
Troop Leader: Cindy Miller
Project Advisor: Caitlin Leary
Saving the Reefs from Streams to Seas
For her Gold Award, Katy decided to raise awareness on the impact chemicals, like benzene and oxybenzone, from sunscreens can have on ocean and human health. She shared her knowledge by speaking to the public in the Aquarium at the Henry Doorly Zoo, talking to zoo visitors from around the world, and inspiring others to make a change to reef-safe sunscreen.
Information from her project lives on by continuing to be shared through zoo-hosted events and classes. She also created an Instagram account, @reef_saver, sharing informational posts to reach people from across the world! She designed and helped install weather resistant metal signs that are displayed at all Spirit of Nebraska Girl Scout camps so that people of all ages and backgrounds can learn more about doing their part in making the world a better place!
Aida Burks
Hometown: Lincoln
Parents: Marianna and Jai Burks
Troop Leader: Jean Calahan
Project Advisor: Kim Anthony
The Self-Care Club
With the stress of school and extracurricular activities, it can be difficult for high schoolers to find time to take care of their mental health. The Self-Care Club is designed to help students find ways to lead a healthy and balanced lifestyle and to develop strategies that can reduce stress when dealing with stressful situations or environments.
This project was important to Aida because it proved that she could find the resources to make a positive impact on her peers and community. In addition, she received positive feedback from participants who expressed that the Self-Care Club aided them with resources especially since mental health plummeted during the pandemic.
Harleigh Claussen
Hometown: Hadar
Parents: Anne and Cody Claussen
Troop Leader: Anne Claussen
Project Advisor: Ann Mann
Connecting Generations Through Threads of Hope
Harleigh’s project, Connecting Generations Through Threads of Hope, aimed to connect youth and the elderly within her community. The COVID-19 pandemic had detrimental effects on the generational relationships around the world. Her project focused on reconnecting these two generations through the lost trade of sewing. Harleigh was able to teach younger Girl Scouts how to sew, a skill that can remain with you for a lifetime. With the assistance of community sewing groups, the younger Girl Scouts were able to sew nearly fifty quilts. These blankets were gifted to residents at a local assisted living facility serving as a reminder that youth still care about adults and value their contributions to society. Overall, this project ignited numerous relationships between young and old in her community that will be forever valued.
Anne Cook
Hometown: Elkhorn
Parents: Janelle and Gabe Cook
Troop Leader: Susie D’Agosto
Project Advisor: Ashley Moreland
Maintaining Memories with Music
As Alzheimer’s progresses, memory loss, confusion, and aggression can ensue. Many people with Alzheimer's reside in assisted living facilities and some are rarely visited by their loved ones. Anne’s goal was to offer individuals lasting comfort through visits and music.
To accomplish this, she made scrapbooks relating to things from their childhood that they could remember. Anne also created a piano playlist of songs from their time that would also spark memories. Music is powerful and has the amazing ability to calm individuals with dementia. In later stages of dementia, some residents are even able to remember lyrics from songs that were a major part of their childhood or early life.
Jessica Craft
Hometown: Roca
Parents: Sokunthea and Charles Craft
Troop Leader: Ann Volf
Project Advisor: Commander Martin Neal
Honoring Military Veterans
Jessica noticed the memorial brick wall outside of the Hickman Legion had reached its capacity to showcase names of veterans. She approached the Post Commander and Members offering to build a new monument wall for her Gold Award project.
Jessica formed a team, raised funds, and coordinated the construction process. Once completed, she organized a Patriot Day event at her high school, gave interviews to the media, and helped hold an official Legion Dedication Ceremony in November 2022. Her two-year project brought community honor to local Veterans and increased awareness of the many concerns they face.
Sydney Escritt
Hometown: Hebron
Parents: Lindsey and Bill Escritt
Troop Leader: Kris Wiedel
Project Advisor: Tara Huber
First Aid Education and Easing Health Care Anxiety
Children are often scared of going to the doctor.
Sydney wanted to help children understand that going to the doctor doesn’t have to be scary. She also wanted to educate youth about the health care field with a focus on First Aid.
Sydney assembled “Health Care/First Aid Meetings in a Bag” containing information about First Aid and the health care system. She also created a display that was featured at a local hospital showcasing a First Aid Kit and directions on how to make your own.
Her hope is by exposing kids to health-related tools, they will overcome their fear of the unknown of the medical field, gain confidence, and share their knowledge to help others.
Abby Harveson
Hometown: Scottsbluff
Parents: Tammy and Bob Harveson
Troop Leader: Tammy Harveson
Project Advisor: Alex Mason
Bats Around the Bluffs and More
Abby's project used acoustic monitoring to gain species data for Nebraska bats. Monitoring bats is important to verify species are still thriving in the area, particularly when White Nose Syndrome is a disease that threatens bats.
Through grants and fundraisers, Abby purchased twelve acoustic monitors for use in her project. Monitors were distributed to volunteers to gain additional data. These monitors will be used at Girl Scout camps across Nebraska as part of a camp program she designed to educate campers and add data to her survey. Abby also built two bat houses and one of which will be placed at Camp Catron in Nebraska City.
Sabrina Heckens
Hometown: Papillion
Parents: Sheri and Scott Heckens
Troop Leader: Dawn Eisert
Project Advisor: Wendy Rich
Sewing Strength
Sabrina’s Gold Award addressed the issue of period poverty, a problem many women around the world face. Those who experience it don't have the proper supplies to address their periods and often don't understand it. She reached out to several organizations to begin the process of creating Sanitary Kits.
She worked with the sewing group at the Elkhorn Hills United Methodist Church to produce the pads. Next, she partnered with the Lincoln organization, Days for Girls, to organize events where community members could help create sanitary kits and learn about the struggles that period poverty creates.
Each kit included soap, a washcloth, underwear, and most importantly, a set of reusable pads and instructions for use. Days for Girls staff delivered kits to girls in need.
Marigold Helvey
Hometown: Omaha
Parents: Sarah and Jay Helvey
Troop Leader: Sarah Helvey
Project Advisor: Emily Niebrugge
Pediatric Organ Donation Registration and Awareness
When Marigold was embarking on her Gold Award project, she was getting her learner’s permit. She learned that in Nebraska you can’t register as an organ donor until the age of 16. She worked with a State Senator to introduce a bill lowering the age to 14.
The next year, Marigold testified on a bill to add organ donation registration to hunting and fishing licenses. The bill passed!
Marigold partnered with Live On Nebraska creating an organ donation patch program for Girl Scouts, she conducted awareness activities, showcased videos during Organ Donation Awareness Week and registered students as organ donors during her school’s blood drive.
Abigail Hutchinson
Hometown: Columbus
Parents: Catherine and Chris Hutchinson
Troop Leader: Sandi Seckel
Project Advisor: Carolyn Lippert
St. Athony’s Library Renovation and Automation
Abigail and volunteers spent more than 119 hours updating the check-out and inventory system of St. Anthony’s School Library. They entered all book titles into the digital system and affixed scannable labels onto 14,000 books. Her goal was to provide a more efficient, effective, and welcoming library thus motivating students to improve their reading skills and love of reading. The newly renovated and automated library gives students greater access to quality literature, an outlet to practice their reading skills, and has a positive effect on making lifetime readers. In addition, the library has enhanced its collection through tracking student interest, circulation history, and copyright dates.
Rook Jacobsen
Hometown: Omaha
Parents: Carli and Aaron Jacobsen
Troop Leader: Shelly Krenk
Project Advisor: Sandy Micanek
Pride for our Future
Queer people are documented as having lower life expectancy and higher rates of mental illness. Rook’s project was designed to give hope to the next generation of LGBTQ kids, dedicated to kids who never thought they would get this far and to the ones who didn't.
Rook interviewed queer leaders in Nebraska, releasing podcast episodes of their stories. They designed a set of murals highlighting queer history and culture. They also donated $400 worth of books to local libraries focusing on queer protagonists.
Overall, Rook’s entire project is about sharing the stories they wish they would’ve been able to hear when they were younger.
Ella Johnson
Hometown: Omaha
Parents: Julie and Ransom Johnson
Troop Leader: Cheryl Lentsch
Project Advisor: Jim Huebner
Less Stress Travel Kits
Ella has been a Shriners Hospital patient for 10 years and remembers being extremely nervous about her first appointment to the Twin Cities clinic. She chose to create Less-Stress Travel Kits to ease the stress of kids traveling to the clinic for the first time.
These kits have an explanation of the clinics, fidgets, games, ageappropriate playlists for the road trip, a stuffed animal, and travel recommendations for the Twin Cities and Rochester areas, as well as a website with this information. She is very proud to be helping other kids like her!
Mackenzie Krenk
Hometown: Omaha
Parents: Shelly and Edward Krenk
Troop Leader: Carli Jacobsen
Project Advisor: Carli Jacobsen
Hospice Education
Mackenzie’s Gold Award project focused on hospice education, especially for our youth. She created a website that discusses all aspects of hospice care and dispels many of the misconceptions commonly associated with it.
She and her Gold Award team also developed and thoughtfully created comfort bags filled with goodies, remembrance bracelets, and personal care items for patients and families at Josie Harper Hospice Home in Omaha. The positive feedback from families and staff exceeded her expectations.
Mackenzie chose this project in memory of her two grandmothers, Sharon and Lillian, who both passed away at Josie Harper.
Amelia Larson
Hometown: Omaha
Parents: Jennifer and Brent Larson
Troop Leader: Jennifer Larson
Project Advisor: Natalie Roberts Day
Mindfulness Moments at Camp Kitaki
For Amelia’s project, she worked with YMCA Camp Kitaki to create a mental health hike, tying awareness of the issue to seven special places at camp. She made a unique sign for each spot featuring information about the meaning of the name, the importance to Camp Kitaki, and a “mindfulness moment” bringing awareness to mental health.
For each moment, she researched simple activities that are easily remembered, can be utilized by anyone anywhere, and benefit mental health. Each sign has a QR code that accesses an extension of the camp’s website, containing more information about the spot and mental health.
Elizabeth Marsh
Hometown: York
Parents: Susan and Michael Marsh
Troop Leader: Brenda Hills
Project Advisor: Lynne Knutzen
York Bat Sanctuary
Bats are an important part of the ecosystem as they are pollinators and help to control pests. For her Gold Award project, Elizabeth was inspired to construct two bat sanctuaries to provide a safe place for bats to live and to educate her community.
Elizabeth partnered with Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District constructing ten four-compartment bat boxes using non-toxic materials. Each box, capable of housing one hundred bats, was mounted twenty feet in the air on custom posts.
Throughout construction, Elizabeth promoted the importance of the bat sanctuaries with local media which spread to nearby counties.
Sara Micanek
Hometown: Omaha
Parents: Sandra and Cory Micanek
Troop Leaders: Shelly Krenk and Carli Jacobsen
Project Advisor: Carli Jacobsen
Protecting Our Community
With the increasing rates of school shootings and gun violence as the leading cause of death for children in America, Sara wanted her Gold Award to focus on and have a significant impact on this issue.
Through her research of school safety procedures, Sara found that the best way to prevent death in the classroom is by blocking doors. Her project focused on testing seven current barricade products, creating videos explaining how to use them, and the pros and cons of each. She created a website highlighting each video and a presentation that can be used at school meetings trainings.
Kendall Nothhorn
Hometown: Ralston
Parents: Sarah and Richard Nothhorn
Troop Leader: Cheryl Lentsch
Project Advisor: Andrea Hartman
Pantry for Ralston High School
For Kendall's Gold Award project, she planned, organized, and implemented a Free School Supplies Pantry at Ralston High. She noticed that some students didn't have the supplies needed to be successful in class. Kendall created a rolling cart with free student essentials such as pencils, paper, notebooks, backpacks, and much more. She operates her mobile school supplies pantry once a week before school.
Through the sale of Girl Scouts cookies, Kendall raised money to buy the initial supplies, plus a fund for additional supply purchases during her future years in the high school's Young Adult Program. Kendall also donated a $2,500 check to the school district's foundation to be used for school supplies after she leaves.
Hannah Sims
Hometown: North Platte
Parents: Shandell and Dan Sims
Troop Leaders: Shandell Sims, Cyndi Griffiths, and Marie VanOverbeke
Project Advisor: Chris Ochsner
Cataloging Church Library
For Hannah's Gold Award Project, she created a system to revitalize her Church Community Library. Her passion for reading and love of books inspired the project.
The old library was in an area where the congregation and community members couldn't access. The books were abandoned and randomly placed in the room. Hannah organized the books, documented each one into an online catalog system, and relocate the library into a more accessible room.
She hosted a book drive that brought in 144 new books. The cataloging system is in full swing and people have easy access to enjoy the library.
Audrey Splichal
Hometown: Sidney
Parent: Virgina Splichal
Troop Leader: Virgina Splichal
Project Advisor: Julie Gehrig
Helping Fort Sidney Museum Shine
Audrey’s Gold Award focused on educating people about the Fort Sidney Museum. Prior to, the museum did not keep inventory records thus leaving it vulnerable to loss and inadequate information. Audrey created a spreadsheet documenting the artifacts and treasures thus better informing patrons of what the museum has to offer.
She also wanted to find a way for the museum to appeal to the younger generation. She addressed this issue with the museum board and created an I-Spy program to get kids to enjoy the museum, get them more involved, and inspire them to return. Kids who complete the I-Spy program receive a newly designed t-shirt thus helping to promote the museum throughout the community.
Ria Vootla
Hometown: Omaha
Parents: Neha Thakkar and Rao Vootla
Troop Leader: Dr. Ann Anderson-Berry
Project Advisor: Dr. Ann Anderson-Berry
VanityHelp
Motivated by the lack of information and stigma attached to hygiene poverty, Ria created VanityHelp, a global platform to address the issue and educate people. The platform includes a website, mobile app, and social media presence.
Additionally, Ria conducted a GoFundMe fundraiser to support her school district's Family Resource Center for hygiene products. She has also Ria presented to organizations and at community events to raise awareness. By creating VanityHelp, Ria has shown that one person can make a significant impact.
Jasa Wiedel
Hometown: Hebron
Parents: Kris and Kurk Wiedel
Troop Leader: Kris Wiedel
Project Advisor: Carlece Kenner
I Spy with My Little Eye
The goal of Jasa’s project was to raise awareness of the importance of eye health and exams in young children. She created a children's book, I Spy with My Little Eye, to educate about eye exams for young children and help parents become aware of the need for early detection.
Jasa also created an eye activity sheet with fun and educational facts to be distributed at preschool and kindergarten registration. The goal was to introduce eye vocabulary and present informative activities to put children at ease before their exam.
Her niece was the inspiration behind her project. Jasa strives to see the world through her eyes and is motivated daily by her niece’s hope, courage and determination
Based on information at time of publication.
2023 Nebraska Girl Scouts of Distinction
Pat Meyer Nebraska Gold Award Girl Scouts of Distinction Award
Katy Bruggeman, Papillion
Katy wanted to give others the opportunity to help raise awareness about the harmful chemicals found in sunscreens. She partnered with the local zoo speaking with visitors from around the world while inspiring them to change to reef-safe sunscreen.
Marigold Helvey, Omaha
When Marigold learned that the minimum age in Nebraska to register as an organ donor was 16, she took action. She worked to introduce a bill lowering the organ donation age to 14. She also created an organ donor patch program for Girl Scouts.
Elizabeth Marsh, York
Elizabeth built two bat sanctuaries that consisted of ten four-compartment bat boxes capable of housing 100 bats. She used the local media to educate her community about her bat sanctuary and the important role bats play in our ecosystem.
Pat Meyer was a lifelong Girl Scout devoted to supporting girls and helping young women earn their Gold Awards. Following her death in 2014, her family created a Girl Scout award in her memory.
2023 Nebraska Girl Scouts of Distinction
Fran Marshall Girl Scout Spirit of Nebraska Leadership Scholarship
Lily Ardinger Stibal, Lincoln
Through a collaboration with a hearing loss organization, world-renowned researchers, and universities, Lily created the TMPRSS3 Hearing Loss Resource. It’s the first comprehensive and easy-to-understand resource/ website that connects people worldwide who are impacted by and study the gene related hearing loss.
Fran Marshall was the inaugural CEO of Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska and served in that capacity for 14 years. She has been a longtime supporter of Girl Scouts and volunteer and has supported many young women in their pursuit of the Gold Award.
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.
Law
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.
Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska • GirlScoutsNebraska.org
