2025 Gold Award Girl Scouts | Girl Scouts of Western Ohio

Margarete Billingsley | Huber Heights, OH toggle arrow

Margarete is a graduate of Wayne High School, attending Sinclair Community College, majoring in Nursing. She was involved in marching band, swim team, and Scouts BSA. Margarete has been a Girl Scout for 12 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

The Red Dot Project

Margarete’s project addressed the challenge of menstrual product affordability for low-income women. She partnered with the Master's Closet, where women could pick up necessary products for free, relieving them of the financial burden of choosing between food and menstrual supplies. Her team obtained over 3,500 products through community donations, and a local organization has agreed to continue support for needed items. Margarete’s goal was to ensure women do not have to face this difficult decision, providing them with the items they need without worry.

Jenna Brennan | Cincinnati, OH toggle arrow

Jenna is a junior at Taylor High School. She is active in youth ministry and teaches Catechism classes for preschool and kindergarten students. Jenna has been a Girl Scout for 11 years and has earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Reading Friends

Jenna established a reading buddy program at her high school to inspire kindergarten students to develop a love for reading amid a decline in book engagement as children age. She promoted the volunteer program through posters and a Google sign-up sheet shared with teachers and students. Each month, she selected books and crafted discussion questions to guide participants. The program's success was evident through positive feedback from both kindergarten and high school students, who expressed their enjoyment and enthusiasm. Her initiative earned her a community impact award at her high school, highlighting the program's meaningful contribution to fostering literacy and connection across age groups.

Alyssa Browning | Bellbrook, OH toggle arrow

Alyssa is a senior at Bellbrook High School. She is involved in theatre, Supportive Peers, and tennis. Alyssa has been a Girl Scout for 11 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

It Might Not Be Normal

Alyssa’s project focused on raising awareness about teen dating violence. She spent many hours researching the topic before compiling her findings into a slideshow presentation. Alyssa shared her presentation with staff members at Bellbrook Middle School, including counselors, the health teacher, and the principal. She discussed ways to incorporate this information into classrooms, and later shared it with her peers for feedback. After refining her presentation, Alyssa shared it with the Hope Squad, a group focused on mental health. She then launched a campaign with posters, bathroom tear-offs, and Instagram posts to further build awareness of this important topic.

Jasper Chesak | Cincinnati, OH toggle arrow

Jasper is a senior at Spencer Center High School. She is active in Yearbook Club, Community Service Club, and the event planning committee at her museum job. Jasper has been a Girl Scout for 13 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Breaking the Code

Jasper addressed gender inequality in her school’s dress code, where female students were disproportionately in violation of the school’s dress code. She collaborated with the principal to develop a fairer, less restrictive dress code by gathering input from teachers and female students across schools. Through multiple meetings and revisions, she finalized a dress code structured around core values, guidelines, and enforcement, emphasizing positivity and fairness. This new policy aims to eliminate gender bias and ensure students are not unfairly targeted or shamed for their clothing choices, fostering a more inclusive and respectful school environment.

Maggie Denlinger | Centerville, OH toggle arrow

Maggie is a senior at Centerville High School. She is involved in volunteering, volleyball, Model UN, and served as a national delegate for Girl Scouts of Western Ohio. Maggie has been a Girl Scout for 13 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Sensory Aid Exploration

Maggie focused on improving support for people living with developmental disabilities in her community. To address this, she created sensory-friendly maker kits for the local library, which include fidgets, noise-reducing headphones, sunglasses, and other tools that align with common occupational and speech therapy goals for those affected by developmental disabilities. Her kits are now part of the Library of Things collection. Maggie also expanded the library's Children’s Board Game collection by adding over twenty games designed to support therapy goals for youth. She worked with library staff and community members to ensure the materials were useful and sustainable, helping make the library more accessible for everyone.

Adelaide Duck | Springboro, OH toggle arrow

Adelaide is a graduate of Springboro High School, and now attends the University of Toledo majoring in Pre-Pharmacy. She was involved in orchestra, Junior Council of World Affairs, and Academic Team. Adelaide has been a Girl Scout for 11 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Bats!

Adelaide focused on helping local bat species by creating sustainable housing. She built and installed six bat boxes at E. Milo Beck Park in Springboro in collaboration with the Springboro Parks maintenance team. Adelaide also organized a bat educational event at the park and a bat walk at Miller Ecological Park, educating attendees about the importance of bats, their endangered status, and how they can help. These efforts will have a lasting impact on the local bat population and raise awareness in the community.

Diana Duckro | Bellbrook, OH toggle arrow

Diana is a senior at Bellbrook High School. She is involved in lacrosse, Supportive Peers, and served as a national delegate for Girl Scouts of Western Ohio. Diana has been a Girl Scout for 12 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Solar Energy in Construction

Diana’s project educated the community on the environmental benefits of solar energy and encouraged its use in the construction industry. She created an educational slideshow and presented it at Bellbrook City Council and Dayton Home Builders Association meetings. Diana also collaborated with builders, encouraging them to include a solar energy consultant in their referrals. Additionally, she organized booths at local events, such as the Sugar Maple Festival and Centerville's Mystery Night Out, educating the community on solar panel installation and benefits of renewable energy resources.

Kelley Forsythe | Huntsville, OH toggle arrow

Kelley is a senior at Benjamin Logan High School. She is involved in National Honor Society, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Tri-M National Honor Society. Kelley has been a Girl Scout for nine years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Beneficial Blankets

Kelley aimed to support healthcare personnel in providing more intentional care and resources for staff to use with patients, particularly those with dementia, at Mary Rutan Hospital and Health Center. Inspired by social media designs and discussions with a hospital employee, she designed two busy blankets and two skills blankets under the guidance of an occupational therapist, who helped tailor the blankets for patients with memory loss and pediatric patients needing fine motor skills support. With assistance from her grandmother and several local sewers, including a small business owner and a church knitting group, Kelley’s blanket designs were created for the hospital, as well as an instructional guide for sewing future blankets. The blankets are now used for inpatient care and therapy sessions, providing a great benefit to her community.

Reilly Franke | Beavercreek, OH toggle arrow

Reilly is a junior at The Dayton Regional STEM School. She is involved in tennis, STEM Ambassadors, and Bible Club. Reilly has been a Girl Scout for seven years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Outdoor Community Meeting Space

Reilly decided to create an outdoor community space for gatherings. After consulting with her church community about their needs, Reilly designed a space with benches, two fire pits, and a cross. She led a group of volunteers to clear the area and build the benches. The space was completed in just a few workdays. Reilly held an event to share the space’s creation and purpose with the community, and her church congregation will be using it for years to come.

Rylee Gardner | Casstown, OH toggle arrow

Rylee is a graduate of Miami East High School, attending Ohio University, majoring in Early Childhood Education. She was involved in marching band, dance, and choir. Rylee has been a Girl Scout for eight years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

My Mission for the Band

Rylee’s project focused on increasing support and recruitment for the color guard of the Miami East Marching Band. Color guard provides opportunities for youth to develop important skills like leadership, teamwork, and performance skills. Her project included basic training videos, workshops, and sessions led by experienced color guard members and coaches to help girls learn the fundamentals and boost their confidence. A video demonstrating basic color guard techniques was also created to inspire and teach girls who are interested in joining or are currently involved in color guard.

Bryanna Geoffrion | Waterville, OH toggle arrow

Bryanna is a graduate of Anthony Wayne High School, attending the New York Performing Arts Academy studying acting. She was involved in dance and 4-H. Bryanna has been a Girl Scout for 13 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Babyland at the Lucas County Fair

For her project, Bryanna created and managed "Babyland" at her local fair. Inspired by a childhood visit to a similar exhibit, she aimed to educate children and adults on proper farm animal care. Babyland featured interactive learning experiences, including feeding baby goats, cleaning water, and handling young chickens. Bryanna invested 215 hours into the project, which included coordinating volunteers, daily animal care, and collaborating with fair board and donors. The project continues to run annually, providing a unique and educational experience for children, particularly those from urban areas who may have limited exposure to livestock.

Addison Greene | Oxford, OH toggle arrow

Addison is a senior at Talawanda High School. She is involved in marching band, Destination Imagination, and her own band as well. Addison has been a Girl Scout for 12 years and earned her Bronze Award.

Advocating for the Night Sky

Addison created a public campaign focused on raising awareness about light pollution. These efforts educated the community on the impacts of light pollution and ways to reduce it, and included a booth at a farmer's market and a blog in a sustainability newsletter. A survey link included revealed that most respondents had little prior knowledge on the subject and learned at least three key facts. Addison also presented to Oxford's City Council, advising them on how to become a certified DarkSky Community. The council was receptive and expressed high interest in passing dark-sky friendly legislation.

Miranda Grogean | Beavercreek, OH toggle arrow

Miranda is a senior at Beavercreek High School. She is involved in Irish dance, community service, and art. Miranda has been a Girl Scout for 12 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Artcycle

Miranda’s project raised awareness about recycling and its environmental benefits by combining art with recycling. She and her team built an ocean-themed float for the community’s 4th of July parade using recycled materials to highlight ocean pollution, and hosted a three-day camp for kids in grades 3-6 to learn about recycling through fun activities. At her camp, a representative from Montgomery County's Environmental Services spoke about the recycling process. Kids explored how trash affects marine animals, created tie-dye shirts made from recyclables that were donated to local children’s hospitals, and played a relay game that involved sorting items into trash and recycling bins to learn what can be recycled. Through her project, she inspired others to think about recycling and how they can help the planet.

Paige Harsman | Vandalia, OH toggle arrow

Paige is a junior at Chaminade Julienne High School. She is involved in tennis, student council, and The Eagle Messenger (Chaminade Julienne's Newspaper). Paige has been a Girl Scout for 11 years and earned her Bronze Award.

Awareness of and Alternatives for Food Allergies

After noticing that many snacks provided at youth events were not allergy friendly, Paige focused her project on educating her community on accomodations for children with allergies. After researching allergen-free snacks, Paige developed a flipbook that included information about food allergies, common allergens, healthy snack alternatives, and recipes free from major allergens. She distributed the flipbooks to troop and children's activity leaders in her community to help them understand the importance of safe snack options, testing their knowledge before and after to track what they learned. She also donated copies of the flipbook to Girl Scout camps in the area, and created an Instagram account to reach a wider audience on this important topic.

Theresa Horstman | Ottoville, OH toggle arrow

Theresa is a graduate of Ottoville High School, attending Miami University majoring in Psychology. She was involved in theater, Scholastic Bowl, and cross country. Theresa has been a Girl Scout for 13 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Learning through Literature

For her project, Theresa built and installed a Little Free Library in her community, creating a space for accessible, weatherproof book sharing. She also developed a website featuring book recommendations that address various disabilities and cultures, along with explanations to deepen readers' understanding of these topics. Theresa led a team to maintain the library and ensured it remained a resource for fostering empathy and awareness through literature. Her project aimed to help readers gain a greater understanding of others' experiences by connecting literature with real-life challenges.

Emma Hunley | Wapakoneta, OH toggle arrow

Emma is a senior at Lima Central Catholic. She is involved in marching band, student senate, and Kairos Leader. Emma has been a Girl Scout for 13 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Girl Scout Gold at the Sheriff's Office

For her project, Emma focused on raising community awareness and support for the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program. She traveled across Auglaize county, speaking to various groups and citizens about the important role D.A.R.E plays in youth drug abuse prevention. Through her advocacy and public speaking efforts, Emma secured the funding to purchase a new multi-vehicle for the D.A.R.E Program in Auglaize that serves six school districts and reaches many young people with its important message.

Molly Janus | Bellbrook, OH toggle arrow

Molly is a senior at Bellbrook High School. She is involved in cross country, National Honor Society, and Supportive Peers. Molly has been a Girl Scout for 12 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

American Spoils

Molly’s project focused on educating her community about food waste and using resources wisely through composting. Inspired by her aunt, an Environmental Science teacher, Molly created interactive games and educational materials about proper ways to dispose of leftover food for use at community and Girl Scout events in her area. She also installed a compost system at her church, allowing the congregation to contribute food scraps for composting, and creating a system for volunteers to add the compost to the church’s garden to enrich the soil for future crops.

Laney Johnson | Hamilton, OH toggle arrow

Laney is a graduate of Ross High School, attending the University of Cincinnati majoring in Medical Sciences. She was active in tennis, marching band, and Youth Philanthropy Committee. Laney was a Girl Scout for 12 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Bite Sized Knowledge

Laney addressed the decline in nutrition education in her community’s local school by creating an engaging program to teach children and families about healthy eating. She developed interactive presentations with colorful visuals, hands-on activities, and games to make learning about balanced meals fun and accessible. She also spoke with parents, providing tips on preparing healthier meals for picky eaters, and distributed educational materials at a local farmer’s market. A community blog and social media posts expanded her project's reach. To ensure sustainability, she partnered with Little Sprouts to continue offering the program.

Laura Kabban | Beavercreek, OH toggle arrow

Laura is a senior at Archbishop Carroll High School. She is involved in figure skating, National Art Honors Society, and ushering for the Schuster Center. Laura has been a Girl Scout for 11 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

SDFSC Junior Board

Laura created a Junior Board within the South Dayton Figure Skating Club to address issues like communication and club morale. The board gave younger skaters the chance to take on leadership roles, manage schedules, and promote positivity at competitions. Laura led the board in organizing bonding events that improved attitudes and skating performance. The project’s success has fostered a more supportive environment within the club, and the Junior Board will continue to benefit future skaters.

Hailey Kennedy | Zanesfield, OH toggle arrow

Hailey is a senior at Benjamin Logan High School. She is involved in National Honor Society, Art Club, and Key Club. Hailey has been a Girl Scout for 13 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Interactive Equine Assisted Activities

Hailey created four new interactive activities for Discovery Riders, a local therapeutic riding center, to use with students. She trained both staff at the center and their horses on using her activities. Her goal for the project was to enhance the success of lessons for volunteers, instructors, students, and horses. Each activity was designed to target different skills based on the varying needs and abilities of the students, including flexibility, coordination, communication, fine motor skills, and strength. Her activities continue to help students strengthen their skills, improve their daily lives, and enhance their overall therapeutic experience.

Ann Kim | West Chester, OH toggle arrow

Ann is a graduate of Lakota East High School, attending Miami University majoring in Applied Biology. She was active in dance, LEAF club, and 4-H. Ann was a Girl Scout for 13 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Invasive & Native Species Education

Ann developed an educational program about the importance of native species, invasive species awareness, and the effects of deforestation. At Lakota East High School, a field was transformed into a reforestation area by removing invasive species, planting native species, creating a walking path, and installing educational signs with assistance from school members. To further the project's goals, an educational program was developed and presented to youth organizations, teaching about native and invasive species, the effects of deforestation, and their ecological importance. The program highlighted how these issues impact ecosystem health and provided actionable steps for maintaining healthy ecosystems within local communities. The LEAF club at her school will continue to offer these programs to the local community.

Carolyn Koch | Midland, OH toggle arrow

Carolyn is a graduate of Blanchester High School, attending Marshall University majoring in Music Education. She was active in marching band, drama, and Future Farmers of America. Carolyn was a Girl Scout for 10 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Building Community Through Theater

Carolyn promoted drama education through a middle school drama camp and the creation of online resources. She organized a three-hour camp involving a full team of high school and adult volunteers. Participants learned about theater crews, toured a theater, and practiced stage makeup, culminating in group performances. She worked with her team to produce four instructional videos, seven short play scripts, a character generator, and various templates for drama activities, all made available online for organizations to host their own camps in the future.

Addison Lanich | Hamilton, OH toggle arrow

Addison is a graduate of Lanich Academy, attending Cedarville University majoring in Criminal Justice. She was involved in competitive shooting sports, 4-H, and dance. Addison was a Girl Scout for 13 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Living History/Western Heritage Start-Up

Addison started a program in Butler County to teach students history in an engaging way, aiming to improve retention of knowledge. She worked with her team to develop a 10-week curriculum, which included hands-on activities aligned with each lesson. Through 4-H, two projects—Western Heritage and Living History—were offered, with an option to be judged at the county fair. Each student had the opportunity to explore their own interests, fostering engagement and better knowledge retention. The program will continue to be offered by the Butler County Sharp Shooters 4-H club.

Sofia Leni | Mason, OH toggle arrow

Sofia is a senior at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy. She is involved in theater and volunteering. Sofia has been a Girl Scout for 12 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Bench and Birdhouse for the Park

Sofia centered her project around supporting wildlife conservation, fostering inclusivity, and promoting environmental sustainability. She worked with park staff to construct nesting structures for Saw-Whet owls at Caesar Creek State Park in Waynesville, Ohio, aiding researchers in studying owl migration patterns and behavior. By making the bird-watching area easy to access, she ensured a peaceful experience for all visitors, including nearby seating, addressing social isolation among elderly and disabled individuals. By using recycled plastics and repurposed materials, the project reduced waste and conserved resources. Visitors can scan a QR code to learn more about the birds that frequent the area. As part of the park's educational mission, staff will continue to maintain and use the project.

Samantha Melowic | Monroe, OH toggle arrow

Samantha is a graduate of Monroe High School, attending Wright State University majoring in Middle Childhood Education. She was active in marching band, choir, and theater. Samantha was a Girl Scout for 12 years and earned her Silver Award.

The Happy Hornet Sensory Cart

Samantha and her team created "The Happy Hornet Sensory Cart," filled with resources and sensory tools to support children with special needs at her elementary school. After hosting three focus groups and collaborating with the district special education coordinator, the head of the elementary’s special education department, and school principals, she carefully researched and selected items such as fidgets, wobble cushions, putties, and social skills workbooks. The cart was designed to enhance classroom success and will be managed by a teacher specializing in Individualized Education Programs. By equipping the school with this resource, Samantha provided sustainable support for students with special needs, promoting a more inclusive and accommodating learning environment.

Ariya Naik | Beavercreek, OH toggle arrow

Ariya is a junior at the Dayton Regional STEM School. She is involved in piano, volleyball, and robotics. Ariya has been a Girl Scout for 12 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Re-engaging Young Readers

Ariya learned that children stop reading for pleasure around grade 3 as they transition to independent reading. To combat this, she developed a booklet with colorful and engaging reading activities aimed at teaching children reading strategies and promoting a lifetime love of reading. After creating and printing the booklet, she distributed it to Girl Scout troops with members in grades 2-4 and worked with them through the activities. Ariya also shared the booklet with an English teacher and the Beavercreek Public Library, ensuring it would remain accessible and sustainable for the wider community.

Anna Newman | Oakwood, OH toggle arrow

Anna is a senior at Oakwood High School. She is involved in cheerleading, figure skating, orchestra, and was a member-at-large on Girl Scouts of Western Ohio's board. Anna has been a Girl Scout for 12 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Helping Our Heroes Who Hunger

Anna’s project aimed to address food insecurity for local military veterans and their families in the greater Dayton area. In partnership with the Military Kids Club at Harman Elementary School, she organized a food drive in November with collection boxes at the school and the Federal Court House. Anna expanded her drive to add a collection box in May at a VFW Post. She coordinated the delivery of the collected items to the Dayton VA Medical Center Food Pantry. To further support this cause, Anna established connections with the Veterans Administration, creating an Amazon Wishlist and a website, daytonhungerfighters.com, to boost donations. Harman Elementary School has committed to continue addressing food insecurity for veterans through an annual collection drive.

Brigid Newman | Oakwood, OH toggle arrow

Brigid is a senior at Oakwood High School. She is involved in cheerleading, figure skating, and Westminster Presbyterian Youth Group. Brigid has been a Girl Scout for 13 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Coffee With a Cop

Brigid created her project to improve relationships between high school students and police officers. Recognizing the negative biases many students hold toward law enforcement, her program addresses the need for trusted adult figures in law enforcement and the community, especially for students facing mental health challenges. In collaboration with the Oakwood Public Safety Department, Brigid provided a relaxed, open setting for dialogue between students in grades 7-12 with local officers. Sessions were held before school and Brigid provided coffee, donuts, and hot chocolate to create a welcoming environment. Over the past two years, the program has facilitated meaningful conversations, improved understanding, and created a sense of comfort between students and law enforcement.

Clare Newman | Oakwood, OH toggle arrow

Clare is a senior at Oakwood High School. She is involved in orchestra, field hockey, Westminster Presbyterian Youth Council, and served as a national delegate for Girl Scouts of Western Ohio. Clare has been a Girl Scout for 11 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Reuse, Reduce, and Play

Clare focused on collecting gently used sports equipment from Oakwood High School students, staff, and families. She wanted to reduce the number of students without access to proper sports gear in other school districts to encourage them to stay active through new equipment and activities. Clare collaborated with athletic directors to identify the needs of students in the Mad River school district. After gaining support from the school principal and finding a teacher to mentor the club, she held a Club Fair in Fall 2023, which over 30 students joined. Her club organized fundraisers and collected donations from students and staff to purchase new sports equipment. In total, the club raised the funds to provide fifty-one equipment items for schools in need, and made a positive impact on students’ access to sports in the Dayton area.

Elisabeth Norman | Troy, OH toggle arrow

Elisabeth is a graduate of Miami East High School, attending Edison State Community College, majoring in Agribusiness Management. She was involved in yearbook club, Future Farmers of America, and Blue Crew. Elisabeth has been a Girl Scout for 13 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Miami County Fair Hope Closet

Elisabeth created The Hope Closet, providing clothing options for 4-H and Future Farmers of America youth who are participating in the county fair’s youth activities. Donations for the closet were gathered through social media posts and a local donation site, and a local cleaner donated a wash day. The closet, filled with a wide variety of items like chaps, boots, bridles, and hats, was set up in the Duke Lundgard building at the fairgrounds. She received positive feedback from the fair community, and the responsibility for maintaining the project was passed onto fair royalty.

Lindsey Ott | Troy, OH toggle arrow

Lindsey is a graduate of Miami East High School, attending Wright State University, majoring in Biology. She was invovled in marching band, concert band, and art. Lindsey has been a Girl Scout for 10 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Land Lab Renovation Project

The Miami East School’s land lab, once used for sports, classes, and leisure, had deteriorated over time and students were no longer allowed to use the space. Recognizing its potential to improve student life, Lindsey worked with the Land Lab Committee to design two wooden arches to be both functional and visually appealing, ensuring they were durable and large enough for equipment. Gathering a team of of students, teachers, and alumni, with materials provided by the school, Lindsey and her team built and installed the arches at the land lab. The Land Lab Committee was very pleased with the result, and has continued their restoration of this school resource. The land lab will soon be fully revitalized for student use.

Alexandra Parish | Bowling Green, OH toggle arrow

Alexandra is a graduate of Bowling Green High School, attending the University of Cincinnati majoring in Archaeology and Classical Civilizations. She was involved in 4-H, quiz bowl, and tech theater. Alexandra has been a Girl Scout for 13 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Trinity United Methodist Church Dedication Documentation

Alexandra created a comprehensive database documenting every hymnal, Bible, painting, and table dedicated in her church. By recording names, dates, and locations, she aimed to preserve the memories and contributions of church members for future generations. This searchable database provides genealogists and family members with a valuable resource for discovering ancestral connections and confirming family histories. Alexandra planned and executed her project, designing a detailed spreadsheet to organize the data. She conducted thorough searches throughout the church, cataloging each item and resolving any mysteries related to dedications. Through this process, Alexandra honed her persistence and organizational skills, learning to overcome challenges and advocate for her project.

Anna Patnode | Waterville, OH toggle arrow

Anna is a senior at Anthony Wayne High School. She is involved in quiz bowl, hockey, and the Gaming Club. Anna has been a Girl Scout for 12 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Raising Awareness of Relay for Life

For her project, Anna focused on enhancing the Relay for Life event in Wood County by introducing a new initiative to honor individuals affected by cancer. She designed and built a wind chime holder that allows attendees to purchase and display wind chimes in memory or honor of loved ones. This initiative not only increased donations, but also created a meaningful tribute for participants. Anna secured sponsorships, collaborated with her family to construct the wind chime holder, and ensured it was easily storable for future events.

Margaret Phillips | Ross, OH toggle arrow

Margaret is a graduate of Ross High School, attending Miami University majoring in Nursing. She was active on the bowling team, history club, and church youth group. Margaret was a Girl Scout for 12 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

A Place to Gather

Margaret addressed social isolation among young people in her community by creating an outdoor recreational area with a fire pit and benches at The Hamilton Church of God. She organized three social events featuring activities like making s'mores, grilling, and games, providing a safe environment for participants to connect. Surveys revealed that 89% of attendees met new friends, and all respondents found the space beneficial and intended to invite others. To ensure sustainability, she provided the church with a binder containing activity ideas and event recommendations, enabling ongoing use of the fire pit as a gathering space for fostering social connections.

Geneva Rayburn | Cincinnati, OH toggle arrow

Geneva is a senior at Walnut Hills High School. She is active in the Community Action Team, piano, and Greater Cincinnati Earth Board. Geneva has been a Girl Scout for 10 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Teens Go Green

Geneva partnered with the Greater Cincinnati Earth Day Coalition to engage local teenagers in environmental issues and volunteerism. Over two years, she actively participated in board meetings and organized teenage volunteers to support the annual Earth Day event at Summit Park in Blue Ash. By utilizing school announcements, online platforms, and word of mouth, she recruited volunteers, including 11 teens in her second year, significantly enhancing event cleanup and encouraging engagement with other educational booths and organizations. To ensure sustainability, she proposed and created a standing teen board position dedicated to youth outreach. This position guarantees a lasting avenue for younger voices to contribute to the coalition, promoting environmental awareness and volunteerism for future generations.

Kaylee Reedy | Beavercreek, OH toggle arrow

Kaylee is a sophmore at Beavercreek High School. She is involved in volleyball and robotics. Kaylee has been a Girl Scout for 10 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

It's Not Just Playing Robots

Kaylee wanted to inspire young learners in STEM fields through robotics education. She created a curriculum and recruited volunteers from local high school robotics clubs to offer Vex Robotics workshops to incoming eighth graders. Her workshops showed students how to build and program robots, while teaching valuable technical skills and fostering problem-solving and teamwork. Kaylee’s curriculum also included developing essential soft skills, such as public speaking and documentation, through projects and presentations. Through fostering leadership and innovation in these workshops, Kaylee aims to inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists.

Ava Rosz | Liberty Township, OH toggle arrow

Ava is a graduate of Lakota West High School, attending Purdue University majoring in Political Science and Communication. She was active in tennis and student government. Ava was a Girl Scout for 13 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

The Civil Service Project

Ava created a curriculum to address the lack of education in schools on locally elected offices. She partnered with eight city officials to create 10- to 15-minute videos and accompanying materials that educated students on that official’s job duties, refining the curriculum with input from two high school teachers. Students chose topics related to the videos, watched them, and completed worksheets. Knowledge gained was measured through student engagement and participation in the curriculum. The curriculum will be sustained by teachers who will annually offer it in their classrooms.

Emma Russell | Centerville, OH toggle arrow

Emma is a senior at Centerville High School. She is involved in color guard and National Honor Society. Emma has been a Girl Scout for 13 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Accessibility in Learning

Emma wanted to use crafting to raise community awareness of the seven learning styles: visual, verbal, auditory, tactile, logical, social, and solitary. She created a website to demonstrate these learning styles through different methods. Emma also produced instructional videos for a craft per each learning style, which were voiced over by a teammate and included captions. She created slide shows for each craft with step-by-step explanations. Visual learning was shown through pictures and videos, auditory learning through voiceovers in the videos, and verbal learning through captions and written instructions. Tactile learning was represented by the physical act of crafting, while social and solitary learning were shown by people crafting together or alone. Logical learning was highlighted by the patterns and similarities between the crafts. Her project aimed to make learning styles more accessible and engaging.

Anika Saladi | Mason, OH toggle arrow

Anika is a senior at William Mason High School. She is involved in choir and Academic Quiz Team. Anika has been a Girl Scout for 11 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Community Lifesaver Initiative

Anika worked with the Mason Fire Department and many other local organizations such as schools, community centers, and health organizations to offer free local CPR classes for middle school students and adult community members in underserved areas to improve awareness and skills in life-saving techniques. She focused on making training accessible and used surveys before and after the sessions to measure participants' confidence, knowledge of CPR, and ability to perform it correctly. She also worked with the department to re-evaluate the current Hands-Only CPR course for middle schoolers to make them more engaging, and able to be accomplished within a class period. Regular, free training sessions will continue to be hosted as a result of the lasting connections and commitments Anika forged between her community organizations.

Kalley Shea | Mason, OH toggle arrow

Kalley is a graduate of William Mason High School, attending West Virginia University majoring in Animal Science. She was active in sideline cheerleading, competitive cheerleading, and Tumble Bees. Kalley was a Girl Scout for 10 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Rebate 101

Recognizing the financial struggles many face, Kalley launched "Rebate 101" workshops to educate her community on saving money with rebate apps, promoting both financial literacy and tech skills. She organized four sessions publicized through parish bulletins and distributed cards in partnership with the Schuh Center Food Pantry, drawing 30 attendees. Her efforts inspired attendees to begin their own rebate journeys. To ensure sustainability, the Schuh Center will continue to hand out pamphlets that direct the community to a website offering foundational information and resources about rebate apps, fostering ongoing community impact.

Makayla Skinner | Bellbrook, OH toggle arrow

Makayla is a senior at Bellbrook High School. She is involved in cross country, Hope Squad, and student government. Makayla has been a Girl Scout for 11 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Bellbrook Storybook Trail

Makayla’s goal was to promote children's education and foster a love for nature and reading through the installation of a storybook trail at a local park. She led a team in researching and planning the project, and secured funding by presenting to organizations like the City Council, Lions Club, and Friends of the Library. With the help of volunteers, storybook posts were installed along the trail. Makayla hosted an opening ceremony and collected data on the trail's impact on children's learning. Her results were positive, with 87.5% of respondents believing children could learn from the stories, and 93.8% feeling the trail helped kids develop valuable reading skills while enjoying the outdoors.

Kathleen Smith | New Carlisle, OH toggle arrow

Kathleen is a senior at Tecumseh High School. She is involved in E-Sports, Business Professionals of America, and National Technical Honors Society. Kathleen has been a Girl Scout for 12 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Girl Scouts at the Clark County Fair

Kathleen wanted to increase involvement in youth opportunities for Girl Scouts at the Clark County Fair and improve their opportunities to showcase projects at the fair booth. She attended local troop meetings and other events to talk to Girl Scouts about how to submit projects to the fair booth and build awareness of her project. To fundraise for booth improvements, she organized a badge day event for troops in her service unit, and with the funding, purchased pre-built structures and materials to enhance the Girl Scout booth area. She and her team reinforced and painted the booth in preparation for its display at the 2024 Clark County Fair.

Joanna Warner | Beavercreek, OH toggle arrow

Joanna is a homeschooled sophmore. She is involved in Irish dance, orchestra, and her church’s youth group. Joanna has been a Girl Scout for 10 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Sensory Sanctuary

To address challenges in her community related to mental health, such as anxiety and depression, Joanna designed an outdoor sensory garden as a safe space to support mental wellbeing at Aley United Methodist Church. Her garden features plants and outdoor activities designed to stimulate or soothe the five senses, such as hopscotch, a display wall with musical instruments to play, soft plants for tactile comfort, bright colors for visual stimulation, and peaceful sitting areas to relax, breathe, and smell flowers and herbs. This garden provides a space for people, especially children, to express their emotions safely while connecting with nature.

Celeste Whiteley | Springboro, OH toggle arrow

Celeste is a graduate of Archbishop Alter High School and attends Wright State University, majoring in Marketing. She was involved in bowling, youth ministry, and community service. Celeste has been a Girl Scout for 13 years and earned her Bronze and Silver Awards.

Pregnancy Center Meditation Room

Celeste created a meditation room at a pregnancy center to support the wellbeing of mothers-to-be. The room is designed to be a peaceful, cozy space with soft lighting, a comfortable bed, and calming music to aid in stress reduction. The room also provides educational resources, such as an online website and pamphlets, teaching women about the benefits of meditation and how they can incorporate it into their daily lives. Her project demonstrates the pregnancy center’s commitment to supporting mothers, while enhancing their pregnancy experience.

Congratulations to these 2025 Gold Award Girl Scouts for earning the most prestigious award in Girl Scouting!