Recipients of the
2016 Gold Award
2015, Volume 5, Issue 1
Celebrating Girl Scouting’s Highest Achievement
800-49-SCOUT • gshom.org
1
Going for the
Gold
Earning Gold as a Girl Scout demands a high level of
determination and dedication.
Girls who are the recipients of the Girl Scout Gold
Award —the highest and most coveted honor—must
commit a significant amount of time and expertise to
developing a project that will positively impact their
communities. These girls also must demonstrate
their plans for sustainability of the work they’ve begun
without their ongoing involvement.
The ability of our Gold Award recipients to make a
positive and lasting impact on their communities
and become part of an illustrious group of Girl Scout
Alumnae is a tribute to the leadership skills they have
developed during their active Girl Scouting years.
These skills position them well to seek out and secure
college scholarships at world-renowned schools such
as the University of Michigan, Purdue University and
Western Michigan University.
Completion and submission of the Girl Scout Gold
Award Project Proposal asks for the following:
•
Basic personal information.
•
Completion dates for prerequisites such as two
Senior or Ambassador Journeys or one Journey
and the Girl Scout Silver Award.
•
A beginning and ending date for the project.
•
Names of individuals and organizations who also
will work with a girl on her project.
•
•
•
2
Title of the project, target audience and reasons for
selecting it.
A discussion of the strengths, talents and skills that
will be used, as well as skills that will be developed.
A description of the steps involved in putting the
project plan into action.
Recipients of the 2016 Gold Award
•
Names of people and organizations to be informed
and involved.
•
Estimate of overall project expenses and how
those costs will be met.
•
Methods or tools used to evaluate the project.
•
Description of how the project will be sustained.
•
Description of how others will be informed about
the project.
But wait…there’s more!
•
An interview about the project with Girl Scouts
Heart of Michigan staff and volunteers prior to
starting.
•
Once the project is completed, there is a final
report that must be submitted. Included in this
report is a detailed time log, which lists the number
of hours put in by the girl’s team of volunteers.
•
An expense log is submitted at the end of the
project.
Hopefully, this gives you a better idea of why these
Gold Award recipients are held in such high esteem.
Each of their projects will improve the lives of residents
in their communities by encouraging volunteerism and
highlighting the importance of community service. Our
Gold Award girls are living proof of Girl Scouts Heart of
Michigan’s mission to build girls of courage, confidence
and character who will make the world a better place.
The Girl Scout 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.
The 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.
This year, we are thrilled to celebrate 100 years of girls taking
leadership one step further, becoming courageous leaders and
visionary change makers. Since 1916, Girl Scouts of generations
past have worked towards the illustrious Golden Eaglet of Merit,
First Class, or Curved Bar, and today we call this monumental
achievement the Girl Scout Gold Award. The highest honor a Girl
Scout can earn, the Gold Award acknowledges the power behind
each recipient’s dedication to not only empowering and bettering
herself, but also to making the world a better place for others.
The young women we celebrate during this year’s Gold Award
ceremony saw something in their community that they wanted to
positively impact, then created a project to benefit individuals and
organizations for years to come. From rehabilitating local shelters
to teaching new skills, they have masterfully balanced school and
individual activities all while spending countless hours helping others.
It’s the Girl Scout way – and that was the mission that our founder,
Juliette Gordon Low, created 103 years ago.
Their continuation of Juliette’s hope represents the passion and
leadership skills they learned as members of Girl Scouts Heart of
Michigan. Many of these girls came to us as young children with
dreams, and we have been privileged to watch them grow into strong
and confident women with vision.
We look upon them with pride and hope for brilliant futures, no
matter their path. We look upon you—family members, friends, and
volunteers—with gratitude, for being part of their fantastic journey.
Congratulations to you all,
Jan Barker, CEO
Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan
800-49-SCOUT • gshom.org
3
2016 Gold Award
Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan
Mary Flegal Chair, Board of Trustees
Jan Barker Chief Executive Officer
Matt Bates Chief Information and Property Officer
Jackie Bucsi Chief Membership and Program Officer
Karen Micklatcher Chief Development Officer
Catherine Below Graphic Designer
Samantha Troutman Writer
The 38 Gold Award recipients
showcased in this yearbook
demonstrate a Girl Scout’s commitment
and ability to make the world a better
place. They take their place among a
hugely talented group of Girl Scouts
who, since the founding of the
organization in 1912, have also earned
this most distinguished award.
Whether they received precursors to
the Gold Award— Golden Eaglet, First
Class, or Curved Bar—we honor them
for using their leadership skills to create
powerful and meaningful change, which
will stand the test of time.
For Sponsorship Opportunities*,
email Cynthia McCants, [email protected]
or call 800-49-SCOUT
*Statements made by our sponsors do not reflect the opinion of Girl
Scouts Heart of Michigan. The inclusion of sponsors’ material shall neither
constitute an endorsement by Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan, implied or in
fact, of their product or service, nor is the veracity of any claim warranted
or guaranteed by Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan.
2016, Volume 6, Issue 1
by Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan, Inc.
Five Locations to Serve You!
Jackson Regional Center
4403 Francis Street, Jackson, MI 49203
Phone: 800-322-1209 Fax: 517-784-9553
Kalamazoo Regional Center
601 West Maple Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Phone: 800-788-4919 Fax: 269-492-1439
Lansing Regional Center
1223 Turner St., Suite 200, Lansing, MI 48906
Phone: 800-968-9421 Fax: 517-699-9405
Saginaw Regional Center
5470 Davis Road, Saginaw, MI 48604
Phone: 800-968-1185 Fax: 989-799-1450
Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor Regional Center
444 James L. Hart Parkway, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Phone: 800-497-2688 Fax: 734-714-3037
4
Recipients of the 2016 Gold Award
In this issue Gold Award 2016
2
6
16
18
21
23
Going for the Gold
2015 - 2016 Gold Award Recipients
2016 Graduating Seniors
2015 - 2016 Silver Award Recipients
2015 - 2016 Bronze Award Recipients
The History of the Highest Award in Girl Scouting
How do you
make the world
a better place?
Girl Scout Gold Award
800-49-SCOUT • gshom.org
5
Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan Proudly
Presents Our 2016 Gold Award Girl Scouts
The Girl Scout Gold Award is “what you really want to be remembered for”
in Girl Scouting. It is the highest award that Girl Scout Seniors (high school
freshmen and sophomores) and Girl Scout Ambassadors (high school
juniors and seniors) may earn. The leadership skills, organizational skills,
and sense of community and commitment that come from “going for the
Gold” set the foundation for a lifetime of active citizenship.
The Gold Award project is the culmination of all the work a girl puts into
earning the award. It is something a girl can be passionate about, fulfills
a need within a girl’s community (local, regional or global) and creates
sustainable change. The project is more than a good service project—it
encompasses organizational, leadership and networking skills.
Megan Adams
Troop 41450, Canton
Wayne County Family Shelter Room Re-do
After seeing vacant rooms at the Wayne County Family Shelter, Megan wanted
to do something to help local families and bring awareness to homelessness.
Her plan was originally to renovate one of the rooms, but with her hard work and
fundraising, she was able to complete two. The rooms were made livable again so
that additional families could stay at the shelter and live comfortably while getting
back on their feet. “My hope is that the WCFC becomes more well-known and
other people will want to become involved there,” Megan said.
Megan is a senior at Canton High School. She plans on attending Schoolcraft College for
two years, then transferring to a four-year college to become a lower elementary teacher.
Caroline Alchin
Troop 30280, East Lansing
Art Program for Senior Citizens
Caroline worked with the Wynwood Senior Living facility to bring painting classes
to the elderly. When her troop previously worked with the retirement center, she
noticed that many of the women had never experienced making art and wanted to
help. “I showed many of them how to paint for the first time in their lives,” Caroline
said. “I also think that I was successful in giving them something to look forward to
every month besides their normal routine.”
Caroline is a freshman at Grand Valley State University.
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Recipients of the 2016 Gold Award
Caitlyn Baskins
Troop 41545, Grass Lake
Manchester Middle School Martin Luther King, Jr. Diversity Program
Seeing an opportunity to help fellow students learn, Caitlyn used Manchester
School District’s half day on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a time to create a
coordinated diversity program for middle school students. “As students, we can
read and talk about segregation, racism, and the fight for civil rights, but we can
not necessarily understand how it felt and affected our country,” Caitlyn said.
Partnering with teachers and administrators, she created a curriculum for the half
day including interactive lessons about Dr. King, his involvement in the Civil Rights
Movement, racial diversity, and segregation.
Caitlyn is a junior at Manchester High School .
Victoria Batko
Girl Scout Juliette, Westland
Rocket Uniforms March On
As a member of the Rocket Marching Band, Victoria didn’t want to see the old uniforms
contribute to wasteful disposal and end up in a landfill. She reinvented the old high band
uniforms to make usable items including tote bags, purses, and pillows. “I was able to use my
sewing skills to raise awareness and benefit the music department at my school,” she said.
“I think my project changed people’s attitudes toward disposal trends. Victoria also wrote a
how-to guide to inspire others to recycle uniforms and textiles, and provided resources for
basic sewing skills and patterns.
Victoria is a junior at John Glenn High School.
Zoey Bommarito
Troop 60131, Grass Lake
Look Up
After finding out that most teens and parents are unable to recognize the signs
of an unhealthy relationship, Zoey wanted to spread awareness about the
dangers of dating violence and social media. “I put the issue on the forefront of
what the school and community talked about. We cannot put our heads in the
sand and pretend it is not an issue,” she said. Encouraging her fellow students to
look up from their phones and notice relationships around them, Zoey created
a brochure, bracelets, and an informational activity for her school.
Zoey is a senior at Grass Lake High School. She plans on attending Jackson College
to become a respiratory therapist.
Jean Collette
Troop 30247, Lansing
Memory Tile Wall
To recognize the importance of service and hard work in her community,
Jean created a tile wall to memorialize volunteers at the Allen
Neighborhood Center. Jean saw the impact that the local volunteers,
Youth Service Corps, and AmeriCorps had on the center, and wanted
them to be able to write their name and a small message on the wall. “I
think it is important for people who put in time for their community to be
remembered,” she said.
Jean is a senior at Eastern High School.
800-49-SCOUT • gshom.org
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Heather Cornell
Troop 30125, Grand Ledge
Bigg-G
Heather worked with the First United Methodist Church in downtown Grand Ledge to
promote youth fellowship after teens were given an old nursery to use. She refurbished
the old room, creating a café-style setting called the “Bigg- G” for the high school
members to have a place of their own in the church. “The sense of community and
fellowship was unbelievable, and it’s indescribable to think that I created that feeling,”
Heather said.
Heather is a senior at Grand Ledge High School. She plans on attending Grand
Valley state University to study Business and Accounting.
Emily Deese
Troop 50684, Breckinridge
Douglas Sowle Memorial Pavilion
In memory of a longtime resident, scout leader, and elementary teacher, Emily
constructed a pavilion in Breckenridge’s Splash Park. Named after Mr. Douglas
Sowle, she designed the pavilion as a place for families to have reunions, picnics,
receptions, classes, or just to relax in the shade. “Girl Scouts teaches me that I
must not only invest in myself, but in my community,” Emily said.
Emily is a senior at Midland High School.
Rachel Fisher
Troop 80200, Battle Creek
Bring QR Codes to the Park
In order to encourage families to spend more time together outside, Rachel
connected modern technology with her community’s park system. She
implemented a tree identification program in the Brooks Nature Area using QR
codes by researching, labeling, tagging, and making an informational website for 40
trees. “In the process of earning my Gold Award, I was privileged to help others gain
knowledge of something they may not have known much about,” Rachel said.
Rachel is a senior at Lakeview High School. She plans on attending Western Michigan University to study
Nursing, specializing in pediatrics and emergency care.
Laura Hanselman
Troop 41702, Ann Arbor
Sharing My “Love” of Tennis
Laura shared her favorite sport with her community through the renovation of the tennis
facility at Huron High School. She wanted to make the facility more inviting for all the
players, opponents, and Ann Arbor community. To do so, Laura painted a mural, planted
bushes and flowers, and installed bleachers. In addition, she wanted to make the sport
more accessible to the community – she hosted a tennis gear drive benefiting the South
Eastern Michigan Tennis Association so that anyone would have the equipment to play.
Laura is a senior at Huron High School. She plans on attending Kalamazoo College, pursuing pre-medicine.
She hope to be an orthopedic surgeon or a dentist. She will also play collegiate tennis.
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Recipients of the 2016 Gold Award
Kathleen Isenegger
Troop 40047, Howell
Female Empowerment Murals
To address self-esteem and to show her fellow female students that they could do
anything, Kathleen created murals in her high school highlighting influential women.
“Through Girl Scouts, I have had many strong female role models, and I have always
been encouraged to follow my dreams,” she said. “However, many girls do not have this
same influence in their lives.” Each mural featured three historical women alongside
positive, powerful quotes to help girls feel empowered.
Kathleen is a senior at Howell High School .
Maheru Jahania
Troop 40844, Northville
Parks for Play
For her Gold Award, Maheru worked with the Northville Parks and Recreation to make the
Northville Dog Park a more fun and friendly place. She built and installed structures for
the people and their four-legged companions visiting the park, including a bench, chair,
and play structure. “I think my favorite part is seeing the benefit and joy your work can
make, and how much someone appreciates it,” Maheru said.
Maheru is a junior at Junior High School.
Megan Lemke
Troop 40050, Novi
Paint Improvements and Equipment Collection for Local Schools
To make recess more fun for children in her community, Megan renovated the grounds
of two local elementary schools. Because the games that were there had since tarnished
and disappeared, she repainted games and activities on the sidewalks for the students to
play. In addition, Megan hosted a game and can drive benefitting the elementary schools.
“To me, the most rewarding thing while earning my Girl Scout Gold Award was knowing
that I was making a difference in my community,” she said. “And that I would be putting
smiles on little kids’ faces just because of the work I did.”
Megan is a freshman at Northville High School. She dreams of attending the University of Michigan, perhaps to
become a doctor or a veterinarian.
Mackenzie Leonard
Girl Scout Juliette, Mattawan
Imagine, Donate, Volunteer: A Journey of Awareness and Action for the MAP
Mackenzie addressed food insecurity in her community through serving the Mattawan
Area Pantry in a three-part approach. She coordinated volunteers to help make
laundry soap and reusable t-shirt bags for the clients. In addition, Mackenzie created
a video to address food insecurity and volunteering for the Mattawan Area Pantry. “I
feel empowered with the facts that I have helped my community and have brought
awareness about the challenges faced with food insecurity,” she said.
Mackenzie is a senior at Mattawan High School. She hopes to attend Grand Valley State University,
pursuing a career in Occupational Therapy or Pre-law.
800-49-SCOUT • gshom.org
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Jamie Lince
Troop 30595, Bath
Bath Hoophouse Garden Project
Jamie built upon her efforts from her Silver Award by renovating the Bath
Elementary School hoophouse on a larger scale, making the plastic-covered
greenhouse more accessible and able to be used as a learning tool for teachers
and students. She created an education area with a demonstration garden
bed, added benches, and planted donated annuals and perennials. Jamie also
addressed maintenance issues and improved the exterior of the hoophouse to
make it more inviting to parents and students.
Jamie is a senior at Bath High School. She plans on attending the University of Michigan
to study Engineering.
Morgan Mahlebashian
Troop 41089, Novi
Let’s Dance
To share her love of dancing, Morgan created a program for preschoolers at the
Northville Public Schools Early Education Summer Program. “In order to stay active
and healthy, it is important to find an activity that you enjoy and want to do regularly,”
she said. “I wanted to introduce dance to the preschoolers so that they could see
that there are many different styles of dance.” Morgan also created a library of books
about dance for the classroom, as well as dance game books.
Morgan is a junior at Northwood High School. She would like to pursue her dance education in college and
enjoys math and science.
Caitlin Matthews
Troop 80899, Portage
Self Defense and Stranger Danger Awareness
As a martial artist, Caitlin wanted to use the skills she learned to help the children
in her community. “Due to what I have learned over the past 8 years, I feel fully
confident in my abilities and know I could defend myself,” she said. “However,
not everyone has the same experience as I do.” Caitlin taught self-defense
techniques, stranger danger, and who safe strangers are to the Boys and Girls Club
of Greater Kalamazoo. She also created a techniques booklet with instructions on
self-defense moves, as well as coloring pages covering safety topics.
Caitlin graduated from Portage Central High School. She is currently waiting to see if she has been accepted
by Americorp, after which she will pursue degrees in Journalism and Spanish at Western Michigan University.
Fallon Mosier
Troop 40507, Grass Lake
Music Room Restoration
Fallon used motivation and collaboration to create a team to help her refurbish
the music room at her high school. As a member of the Chelsea High School
choir, she saw that the room they used was in disrepair and wanted to help. Fallon
reconstructed and repainted the walls, stripping the panels and repairing the
plaster. “It was incredible watching the innumerable blemishes disappear,” she said.
“When all of this was done I was able to see a positive reaction in my classmates.”
Fallon is a freshmen at Michigan State University.
10
Recipients of the 2016 Gold Award
Shell Mullett
Troop 40460, Pinckney
LACASA: Golden Makeover
Shell worked with the LACASA Center , a crisis center in Howell, to refurbish its lobby
and rooms for a nicer looking environment for the residents. Her project addressed
little things that got looked over and needed attention, including replacing broken
blinds, making curtains for windows, painting rooms, making the storm shelter safer, and
obtaining new storage items for the residents. “By carrying out my project at the LACASA
Center, I felt like I could make a positive difference,” Shell said. “People like to sweep bad
things under the rug, but if they do that, then nothing will be done.”
Shell is a senior at Pinckney Community High School. She is considering attending Eastern Michigan
University or Saginaw Valley State University to study science, possibly Chemistry or Biochemistry.
Beatrice Nayh
Troop 40010, Northville
Changing the World One By One
To help the Detroit Rescue Missions Ministries, Beatrice collected painting supplies,
bedding, and new furniture to redecorate an entire bedroom at the shelter. She also
gathered donations including children’s books, toys, soaps, and shampoos. “I realize
that donating items to the DRMM can really impact a person’s life no matter how small
or how many items,” she said. “I realize that people at the DRMM are normal people and
their situation could be anyone’s.” Beatrice also made a flyer of information about the
DRMM and her project to collect donations and encourage support of the organization.
Beatrice is currently a senior at Northville High School.
Elizabeth Petersen
Troop 80200, Battle Creek
I am Proud to be an American
Elizabeth worked with local preschools and in-home day cares in her community to teach
children about patriotism. She donated a binder filled with coloring pages, a booklet she
wrote about the USA and the flag, a pictographic Pledge of Allegiance, patriotic music, and
American flags donated by the American Legion. Elizabeth presented the binders to the
children and caregivers along with an activity of making felt flags. “I got to see children and
even some adults learn new facts about pour country and flag,” she said. “I loved to watch
them gain empowerment from what I taught and showed them.”
Elizabeth is a graduate of Grace Academy.
Sydney Peterson
Troop 40336, Northville
Sydney’s Smile Boxes
Sydney aimed to improve the emotional stress of children staying at the Mott
Children’s Hospital through creating smile boxes to cheer them up. “Getting better
physically also requires that the patients’ mental health be in good shape,” she
said. The boxes incuded coloring sheets, crayons, toys, stickers, jump ropes, and
glow in the dark stars. Sydney also organized volunteers to help make yarn dolls
and tie knot blankets for the children, as well as crowns for the doctors to wear to
cheer the patients up.
Sydney is a junior at Northville High School.
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Chryssa Phillips
Troop 41809, Novi
Nativity of the Virgin Mary Educational Center Religious Library
To fix up an unused, unorganized space filled with books, Chryssa created a library at
the Nativity of the Virgin Mary Educational Center. She sorted and organized the books
onto the shelves, as well as creating a self-run check out system and labeling all the
books. “I hoped that by creating this library, people would be influenced to learn more
about their religion,” Chryssa said. “Many people had benefited by this library, including
church members and Sunday School students.” She also collected donations from
church and community members for the library.
Chryssa is a junior at Northville High School.
Katherine Pierpont
Troop 30122, Holt
Hockey Stick Rack Build and Installation
Katherine fixed a safety hazard at her local ice arena by installing hockey stick racks in
the locker rooms. After seeing the hazards and damage caused by loose sticks, she took
action to create safer storage. She enlisted her hockey teammates, the Ravens, and other
volunteers to help her build and install the racks so that female players would have a place
to put their sticks after using them. “This set an example for younger girls at the rink that
they could play hockey if they chose, as well as setting an example for other players to give
back to the community,” Katherine said.
Katherine is a freshman at Holt High School.
Natasha Pietruschka
Troop 41451, Canton
Plant Power
Natasha addressed the issue of lack of equal food distribution in the Metro Detroit area.
Her mission was to grow fresh, organic produce for those in need. Her project took place
at Grace Lutheran Church, where she used their unused vegetable garden and turned
it into a butternut squash garden. Natasha donated the produce to Open Door Food
Ministry, where it was distributed to families in need. She also conducted a food drive
to further supply the food bank. “Through all the rain and sunshine, weed-picking and
harvesting, it felt amazing finally delivering the butternut squash to Open Door.”
A senior at Canton High School, Natasha plans to attend Michigan State’s Residential College of Arts
and Humanities to continue her study of the German language.
Riley Madison Reed
Troop 40196, Canton
Day Care Center Renovation for Women and Children
To promote youth literacy, Riley renovated the YWCA Interim House Day Care Center to
attract young children to books in the library section of the room. She made reading fun
and exciting to the children by providing an environment that was attractive and promoted
learning. Riley painted the walls with bright yellow paint, added new LED lights, added new
toys, and filled the shelves with over 600 books.
Riley is a senior at Plymouth High School and plans to attend Michigan State University.
There, she will study biology, followed by medical school to become a pediatric neurologist .
12
Recipients of the 2016 Gold Award
Kirsten Reid
Girl Scout Juliette, Bellevue
BCAMSC Butterfly Garden
After reading that pesticides caused drastic drops of populations of bees and butterflies,
Kirsten took action by creating a butterfly garden at her high school. The garden includes
native Michigan plants, some chosen specifically to attract endangered butterflies and
bees. Kirsten also built a website with her HTML and CSS skills, explaining the garden and
empowering others to make a difference in their communities. “The most rewarding part
is feeling that I have accomplished a project that will sustain long after I am gone,” she said.
“It is great to know that I have helped the ecosystem in Battle Creek.”
A senior at Pennfield High School and the Battle Creek Area Math and Science Center, Kirsten plans on
attending the University of Michigan to study aerospace engineering. A PhD will follow, as well as applying to
the Astronaut Candidate Program.
Ashley Roy
Girl Scout Juliette, Battle Creek
Teenagers Get Fit
Passionate about helping people and healthy living, Ashley wanted to help
her school as fit as possible. With help from school administrators, she
implemented a new workout plan for the freshman physical education classes.
The workout included circuit exercises so that no equipment would be needed.
She developed a lesson plan binders, laminated cards, and mix CDs for the
teachers. “I love the sense of knowing I am helping other students’ health and
creating a new lifestyle for many,” Ashley said.
Melissa is a freshman at Indiana University, studying Kinesiology.
Naomi Sarelis
Girl Scout Juliette, Kalamazoo
It’s Sew Baby
To help teen mothers at her high school, Naomi created homemade baby items including
burb cloths, booties, mittens, and ribbon blankets. She donated her sewn items to the Loy
Norrix Child Care Center, where teen mothers are able to have child care provided so that
they can continue their education. “My own family’s values are that every newborn should
have something new and homemade,” Naomi said. “I want these young mothers to know
that there are people who support them and know that they are doing their best.”
Naomi is attending Oakland University, studying nursing. She plans on becoming a midwife.
Lauren Sargent
Troop 40010, Northville
Bundles of Joy
Lauren created her project to help mothers in need. Working with the Brighton
Pregnancy Help Clinic, she made baskets with basic items for new mothers,
including baby blankets, hats, diapers, bottles, and wash cloths. “Every mother
and child deserves the best chance as possible,” Lauren said. “Provided with
the right support and donations, these mothers can get the jump-start they
need to lead a successful family life.”
Lauren is a senior at Northville High School.
800-49-SCOUT • gshom.org
13
Nikki Schroeder
Troop 41451, Canton
Butterfly Garden
Nikki created a butterfly garden at Eriksson Elementary School to address
the growing concern that today’s youth do not spend enough time
outdoors. She wanted to provide the students exposure to nature, and
provide them an opportunity to learn responsibility and team-building skills
by tending the garden. Nikki also created an informational binder on garden
care, so the students and community could learn what it takes to care for
and build a butterfly garden of their own.
Nikki is a senior at Salem High School.
Ryleigh Scott
Troop 30280, Haslett
Girls Together Can Change the World
To address self-esteem and bullying issues, Ryleigh created a workshop for girls ages
8-12. She wanted the girls she worked with to feel more confident and treat others
similar to the Girl Scout Law, and to be able to express themselves and embrace who
they are. She also had them create a mission statement on how they wanted to act that
they could remember and share, even though challenging times. “With my project, I
hoped to prevent issues before they started by teaching and encouraging young girls to
be kind to one another and have confidence in themselves,” Ryleigh said.
Ryleigh is a freshman at Michigan State University.
Mikayla Simons
Troop 50396, Shepard
Dyslexia: My Point of View as a Dyslexic Student
As a student with dyslexia, Mikayla wanted to give information to parents, teachers,
tutors, and other students on the subject. “I felt that I could give my audience a
firsthand experience on what it is like to have dyslexia and how to help,” she said.
Mikayla developed a program presented at the Grace A. Dow Library to the Midland
County community, speaking about symptoms of dyslexia and how educators
could accommodate students. She also presented tips to students and parents to
help with study skills, and tools and apps that could help the students as well.
Mikayla is a senior at Bullock Creek High School. She will attend MidMichigan Community College and is
considering studying vet-tech.
Julia Slatin
Troop 41368, Northville
Helping Homeless Animals
Julia worked with the Humane Society of Huron Valley to develop program educating
elementary school children on how they can help animals in the shelter. She taught
the children about the organization, how to make braided fleece toys for cats and
cardboard hamster tunnels, and created informational activities. Julia also created
blankets and winter shelters for the Humane Society. “As a witness of the wonders
of adopting a homeless animal, I wish to encourage other families to make the
commitment and adopt a loving pet,” she said.
Julia is a freshman at the University of Michigan , studying engineering, and perhaps specializing in
biomedical engineering.
14
Recipients of the 2016 Gold Award
Sureena Sokhal
Troop 40336, Northville
Inspiration and Renovations
Sureena focused her project around the issue of domestic violence and high-risk
children. She wanted to make the children at her local shelter, Alternatives for Girls, feel
comfortable and wanted. “I wanted to give these children something meaningful so
they could know that people do care about their story,” Sureena said. “It was important
for me to also get people aware of what they can do to help children in shelters.” She
took action by renovating two shelter rooms through painting the walls and refurbishing
furniture, as well as coordinating other Girl Scouts to make scarves and cards for the
girls. Sureena finished her project by educating elementary and middle school troops
about children at risk, and even helped a troop complete their Bronze Award.
Sureena is a junior at Northville High School. She hopes to attend the University of Michigan, as a
U of M Ross Business School preadmit. She is interested in corporate law.
April Svendsen
Troop 30595, Bath
The Pond Project
Seeing that one of her favorite elementary nature spots had become overgrown and
unusable, April rehabilitated the Bath Elementary School pond. She removed poison ivy
and weeds, added signage about the pond’s ecosystem, and created a better path so
that it could be visited by classrooms as well as the general public. “Some of my favorite
memories from elementary school happened at that bond, and I want the students to
create some of their own unforgettable memories,” April said.
April is a senior at Haslett High School.
Alexabelle Talbot
Troop 41702, Ypsilanti
The Orange Wall: Anti-Bullying Resources and Information
To address bullying in her community, Alexabelle created a center of anti-bullying
resources in her high school. The project centered on an orange wall at the front of the
school, and included anti-bullying murals, inspiring quotes, and a mounted TV displaying
positive messages. Alexabelle also created informational brochures about recognizing
the signs of bullying, how to report it, and organizational resources. “My hope is that my
Gold Award Project will help to spread the message as well as to supply much needed
information for the victims of bullying,” she said.
Alexabelle is a senior at Washtenaw International High School. She will attend Michigan State University, University
of California Davis, or University of San Diego State and plans to earn a doctorate in veterinary medicine.
Tara VanNieuwstadt
Troop 41702, Ann Arbor
Scratching Out Code
Tara created and taught a programming curriculum to give students an introduction to
coding. Because many students either did not have access to programming classes or
were unable to take them, Tara wanted teach code in a fun, interactive way. “Teaching this
curriculum in a public school gives everyone access to learning programming, breaching the
potential barriers of not having the awareness or means for the student to learn it on their
own,” she said. “It makes access to this knowledge extremely widely available, promoting
both education and equality, two things I stand for strongly.”
Tara is a senior at Huron High School.
800-49-SCOUT • gshom.org
15
Congratulations to our 2016 high school graduates! We
invite you to help us build girls of courage, confidence and
character by returning to Girl Scouts as an adult volunteer.
Megan Adams, Canton
Hannah Carson, East Lansing
Erica Gates, Twining
Amber Alcorn, Bay City
Olivia Cell, Ann Arbor
Hollie Gehringer, Brooklyn
Annabel Allen, Haslett
Kasandra Chesterfield, Bay City
Ileona Geroux, Sturgis
Brittany Ammerman, Midland
Christina Christenson, Canton
Hannah Getto, Ypsilanti
Haley Anderson, West Branch
Elizabeth Clark, West Branch
Emily Gilmore, Clare
Anna Argento, Chelsea
Sophia Coke, Pinckney
Sandra Gofton, Chelsea
Delaney Atkinson, Laingsburg
Marisa Cole, Eaton Rapids
Samantha Graham, Plymouth
Alexis Aulepp, Northville
Jean Collette, Lansing
Rebekah Graham, Vassar
Sydney Bahs, Eagle
Megan Connelly, White Pigeon
Alyssa Gray, Chelsea
Caroline Baidoon, East Lansing
Jenna Cook, Saline
Alyssa Griffith, Pinckney
Ashlee Bartlett, Cement City
Hanna Cordes, DeWitt
Kaitlyn Groth, Marshall
Kayla Bartz, Midland
Heather Cornell, Grand Ledge
Lauren Guerard, Ann Arbor
Hannah Bauman, Clare
Mylesha Crim, Kalamazoo
Megan Gutherie, Northville
Rachel Benington, Haslett
Veronica Dean, Corunna
Mackenzie Hagood, Saline
Mackenzie Benning, Chelsea
Reece Decker, Sturgis
Laura Hanselman, Ann Arbor
Alexis Benson, Dexter
Emily Deese, Breckenridge
Carolyn Harger, Mason
Jenna Berry, Howell
Llora DeHart, Ann Arbor
Heather Harte, Lansing
Amberlyn Bice, Grass Lake
Bridget Dekker, Gobles
Kaylie Hatfield, Schoolcraft
Emily Binns, Blissfield
Shannon Dickman, Schoolcraft
Abigail Hayes, Lansing
Miranda Blankenship, East Lansing
Anna Dietrich, Durand
Tiffany He, Ann Arbor
Maria Bleitz, Milan
Emily Dillehay, Whitmore Lake
Ashley Higgins, Midland
Zoey Bommarito, Grass Lake
Emily Dinan, Plymouth
Shanelle Hill, Ypsilanti
Teya Bond, Ann Arbor
Cheyanne Dooley, Paw Paw
Stephanie Hilts, Bath
Dana Boyd, Ypsilanti
Tara Dorje, Ann Arbor
Alysia Homminga, Haslett
Claire Bramer, Corunna
Ashley Dyer, Haslett
Kathleen Isenegger, Howell
Faith Brown, Bath
Jamiese Edmonson, Kalamazoo
Julia Janowicz, Northville
Madeline Brunt, Gregory
Katherine Fedoronko, Ann Arbor
Leacadia Jay, East Lansing
Tia Burch, Haslett
Abbey Feenstra, Grand Ledge
Ammie Karl, Bad Axe
Catalina Butler, West Branch
Shandeaci Finkbeiner, Bay City
Katelynn Kleber, Ypsilanti
Ashley Capehart, Pinckney
Rachel Fisher, Battle Creek
Kaylee Klus, East Tawas
Madeline Carlson, Grand Ledge
Cassie Florian, Grand Ledge
Danielle Knieper, Brighton
Maya Foster, Ann Arbor
Shelby Koch, Jackson
16
Recipients of the 2016 Gold Award
Aliera Konett, East Lansing
Samantha Orosz, Ypsilanti
Alison Stamper, Battle Creek
Breanna Koslowski, Howell
Madison Osgood, Howell
Magdalena Steuer, Mattawan
Alena Kupres, Fennville
Kelsy Overhiser, South Haven
Madeline Stowe, Plymouth
Taylor Laimon, Grass Lake
Kortny Overhiser, South Haven
McKenzie Sullivan, Saline
Shae Lampe, Pinckney
Genevieve Parkey, Plymouth
Tabitha Sutterfield, Dansville
Madison LaPerriere, Mason
Gabrielle Peck, Fenton
April Svendsen, Bath
Loretta Lee, Lansing
Olivia Pelton, Schoolcraft
Korina Swarms, Paw Paw
Allison Lennig, Canton
Nicole Perkins, Howell
Alexabelle Talbot, Ann Arbor
Mackenzie Leonard, Mattawan
Natasha Pietruschka, Canton
Mariah Terrell, Belleville
Jamie Lince, Bath
Roxanne Pinsky, Ann Arbor
Jennifer Tomczak, Bay City
Justine Lindquist, Brighton
Shelby Ponicki, Paw Paw
Hava Topolski, Pinckney
Mia Loria, Haslett
Mary Pufahl, Hemlock
Destiny Torres, Tecumseh
Elizabeth Lycans, Blissfield
Samantha Reasons, Battle Creek
Lindsay Trokey, Saline
Avery MacDonald, Howell
Riley Reed, Canton
Millicent Uridge, Pinckney
Kelsea Martin, Schoolcraft
Catey Regis, Chelsea
Samantha Uschuk, Eaton Rapids
Ashlyn McCann, Canton
Kirsten Reid, Bellevue
Taylor Vacca, Canton
Courtney McClain, Sturgis
Hannah Reutter, Mason
Jessica VanBynen, Pinckney
Katherine McCollum, Saline
Madison Rishel, Saline
Miranda VanderRoest, Canton
Samantha McGrath, Canton
Vanessa Roe, Saline
Tara VanNieuwstadt, Ann Arbor
Olivia McKeith, Freeland
Sky Roperti, Dexter
Gabriella Vaughn, Grand Ledge
Avery Messina, Plymouth
Brisban Roumpz, Okemos
Jessica Walker, Lansing
Kirsten Miller, Marshall
Brynna Samuels, Canton
Meredith Walter, Owosso
Lillian Minnette, Saline
Anne Satin, Saline
Brenna Wayne Canton
Katherine Moise, Chelsea
Melissa Schott, Bath
Samantha Weaver, Delton
Molly Mora, Schoolcraft
Abigail Schreiner, Kalamazoo
Elizabeth Weeden, Saline
Shell Mullett, Pinckney
Nikki Schroeder, Canton
Amanda Wentz, Reading
Emily Munsell, West Branch
Sarah Sebastian, Westland
Amanda West, Delton
Tabatha Navarre, Chesaning
Megan Sheredy, Clare
Kristine Westman, Dexter
Brianna Nayh, Northville
Mikayla Simons, Shepherd
Kailea Williams, Lansing
Brittany Nayh, Northville
Liralyn Smith, Saline
Tara Wilson, Haslett
Beatrice Nayh, Northville
Amber Sodman, Mason
Courtney Woodgate, Byron
Melissa Newman, Ann Arbor
Emily Sparks, Jackson
Amanda Wright, Gregory
Kayla Nicholson, Hillsdale
Carolyn Springer, Canton
Sabrina Wu, Ann Arbor
Hailey Oakes, Howell
Monica Srock, Owosso
Sadie Youse, Coldwater
Rashelle Ocenasek, Owosso
Jillian Stacer, Northville
Sierra Zanger, Mason
Congratulations
Congratulations to the recipients of the Girl Scout Silver Award
The Girl Scout Silver Award is
the most prestigious honor a
Girl Scout Cadette receives.
The girls who earn this award
are organized leaders who
develop projects which
highlight their dedication and
determination to improve their community.
We offer our warmest congratulations to all of
our Silver Award recipients and look forward to
watching them go for the gold.
The requirements to earn the Girl Scout Silver
Award are:
• Girls must be in 6th, 7th or 8th grade, and must
complete a Cadette Journey.
• Must identify issues they care about and build
a Silver Award team or work solo.
• Choose a Silver Award project and develop it.
• Make a plan and put it into action.
• Reflect, share, and celebrate.
Amanda Arndt
Taylyn Ayotte
Marlinda Barberio
Louise Barrios
Chelsea Best
Claire Blaske
Paige Bourland
Grace Boyle
Saija Brown
Tessany Burton
Gabby Bylski
Hannah Carlson
Madilyn Chandler
Lillian Chechak
Sarah Clements
Victoria Conquest
Jeniya Dabish
Amanda Davidson
Anna DeHenau
Ashley Doner
Ava Doyle
Gloriana Elston
18
Troop 50026
Troop 30676
Troop 30747
Troop 50240
Troop 49458
Troop 30422
Troop 41773
Troop 30747
Troop 40433
Troop 30165
Troop 40433
Troop 30422
Troop 41773
Troop Juliette
Troop 30422
Troop 40275
Troop 40715
Troop 40063
Troop 40709
Troop 40715
Troop 30747
Troop 80510
Recipients of the 2016 Gold Award
Saginaw
Lansing
Laingsburg
Port Austin
Pinckney
Grand Ledge
Manchester
Laingsburg
Pinckney
Mason
Pinckney
Grand Ledge
Manchester
Kalamazoo
Grand Ledge
Pinckney
Northville
Ann Arbor
Northville
Northville
Laingsburg
Hastings
Tatum Estes
Jenny Feenstra
Phyllis Feldpausch
Emma Frederiksen
Sami Gettle
Zoe Gibbs
Isabella Gonzales
Olivia Gonzales
Mikayla Goodall
Kalin Goodwin
Brooke Gordon
Ainsley Grace
Olivia Graham
Erica Grazioli
Victoria Hall
Drew Harper
Cierra Haughton
Adeline Hennebury
Katie Higgins
Emily Hissong
Alexis Howard
Erin Howley
Logan Huff
Aditi Hukerikar
Taylor Idema
Anna Kendziorski
Ann Krapohl
Lexi Lang
Ashley Lawrence
Izzy Lederer
Emma Lehnert
Felicia Lemmon
Ashley Lithgow
Sophia Louden
Kaylee Low
Madelyn Macionis
Megan Mallie
Kahlana Mannor
Grace Martin
Allison Mattson
Meghan McClorey
Kate McCracken
Keara McLaughlin
Madison McMasters
Sarah Meadows
Troop 30692
Troop 30422
Troop 30422
Troop 41096
Troop 80856
Troop 30422
Troop 50026
Troop 50026
Troop 30711
Troop 80856
Troop 50240
Troop 40082
Troop 30747
Troop 40715 Troop 50912
Troop 40900
Troop 30273
Troop 40542
Troop 40709
Troop 60138
Troop 40275
Troop 40715
Troop 41773
Troop 40900
Troop 50423
Troop 50228
Troop 30138
Troop 50026
Troop 40082
Troop 40433
Troop 40709
Troop 30692
Troop 40261
Troop 30372
Troop 60138
Troop 40178
Troop 40709
Troop 40082
Troop 40709
Troop 40178
Troop 40709
Troop 30138
Troop 40275
Troop 80510
Troop 50423
Dimondale
Grand Ledge
Grand Ledge
Chelsea
Vicksburg
Lansing
Saginaw
Saginaw
Lansing
Vicksburg
Port Austin
Dexter
Laingsburg
Northville
Millington
Canton
East Lansing
Ann Arbor
Novi
Clarklake
Whitmore Lk
Northville
Manchester
Canton
Mt Pleasant
Auburn
Bath
Saginaw
Dexter
Pinckney
Novi
Dimondale
Canton
East Lansing
Brooklyn
Canton
Northville
Dexter
Northville
Canton
Novi
Dewitt
Whitmore Lk
Hastings
Mt Pleasant
Catie Merlo
Troop 40709
Eleanor Mick
Troop 40669
Jenna Miodonski
Troop 41434
Jenna Moore
Troop 60138
Maggie Mulligan
Troop 41434
Elizabeth O'Hotzke Troop 41773
Danae Parish
Troop 30676
Emma Patrick
Troop 40261
Elizabeth Pearce
Troop 50228
Megan Peasley
Troop 30692
Meredith Peck
Troop 40063
Lillian Peck
Troop 40063
Alisa Pesino
Troop 30273
Patricia Pineau
Troop 50240
Nicole Rathbun
Troop 30481
Erinn Reinert
Troop 40715
Adeline Reno
Troop 80856
Abigail Renzema
Troop 80856
Aubrey Richardson Troop 80856
Makayla Ricketts
Troop 30481
Taryn Riekse
Troop 30422
Rachel Riesser
Troop 41434
Andrea Rombach
Troop 50026
Ashlee Root
Troop 40082
Anna Savage
Troop 41694
Morgan Sedlecky
Troop 60138
Katie Selenko
Troop 60268
Liliah Seluk
Troop 40715
Kathryn Seward
Troop 40082
Mary Shah
Troop 40709
Caitlin Sheahan
Troop 40900
Lola Shoemaker
Troop 40037
Caitlin Skalski
Troop 40433
Kristin Smelker
Troop 80510
Grace Snider
Troop 41434
Jessica Anne Stahl Troop 41096
Laura Stanton
Troop 30372
Rhiannon Stevens Troop 50228
Anna Thelen
Troop 30747
Makayla Thompson Troop 30676
Katherine Thoms
Troop 41096
Katelyn Tokarz
Troop 40709
Ashley Troub
Troop 30138
Elizabeth Tweadey Troop 40715
Julia Tweadey
Troop 40715
Amulya Vankaylapati Troop 40715
Katelyn Vowels
Troop 60123
Leeanna Wagner
Troop 80856
Northville
Howell
South Lyon
Clarklake
Howell
Manchester
Eaton Rapids
Canton
Rhodes
Lansing
Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor
Lansing
Port Austin
Mason
Northville
Vicksburg
Vicksburg
Vicksburg
Mason
Grand Ledge
Brighton
Saginaw
Pinckney
Saline
Brooklyn
Tecumseh
Northville
Dexter
Northville
Canton
Westland
Pinckney
Hastings
Brighton
Gregory
East Lansing
Bay City
Laingsburg
Lansing
Chelsea
Northville
Bath
Northville
Northville
Northville
Jackson
Vicksburg
Cotter Welch
Troop 40709
Madison Wellman Troop 80510
Allison Wilbur
Troop 80510
Elizabeth Williams Troop 40542
Megan Wilson
Troop 60150
Katie Wooden
Troop 41773
Katelyn Woosley
Troop 80856
Marin Worley
Troop 40709
Madison Jean WorrilowTroop 41651
Olivia Zinser
Troop 41434
Julia Zyck
Troop 40037
Northville
Hastings
Hastings
Ann Arbor
Springport
Manchester
Vicksburg
Novi
South Lyon
Brighton
Westland
Summer Opportunities
with Girl Scouts!
Here are some opportunities to keep you involved in
Girl Scouting, regardless of your age.
Be a mentor for the girls at our Day Camp programs
and draw on the skills you acquired during your Girl
Scout career.
Guide girls to discover the wonder of camp and the
benefits that come with it at our Overnight Camp
programs. This is a more in-depth opportunity to lead
and mentor girls .
Consider sharing your wisdom and skills with girls.
The requirements for application are simple: You must
be 18 years of age (older for some positions); enjoy
working with girls; pass a background check and be
certified in CPR and First Aid (we provide the training);
and understand and work with our mission.
Visit our Careers page on our website, gshom.
org, or call 800-49-SCOUT to make a difference
in the lives of girls.
800-49-SCOUT • gshom.org
19
Graduating?
Your Girl Scout Experience
Doesn’t Stop Here!
Your Girl Scout journey can continue, and we have a
never-ending list of ways to make that possible.
A great starting point is becoming a Lifetime Member.
This will keep you connected no matter where you go.
If you apply before your current annual membership
expires on September 30, 2016, you will qualify for an
almost 50% discount. Find out more at girlscouts.org.
We also have numerous volunteer opportunities,
which include starting your own Girl Scout troop or
forming a short-term Daisy Troop if time is an issue.
If you like to teach new things to people, think about
becoming a Facilitator. It’s rewarding and also a great
place to make new friends.
If the great outdoors is more to your liking, think
about being a Camp Counselor at one or more of
our amazing camp properties. You can read about
available positions and can download the Seasonal
Employment Application on our website, gshom.org.
We are proud of all of your accomplishments, and we
hope to see you in the future.
Planning on attending college in our council footprint?
Contact us for intern opportunities!
Did you know?
• Girl Scout Gold Award recipients rate their success in life
significantly higher and report higher success in reaching
their goals within many diverse domains (education,
career, and volunteer work).
• Girl Scout Gold Award recipients place significantly higher
importance on being a leader.
• 59 million Girl Scout alumnae are more successful in
school, develop a stronger sense of self, and report greater
satisfaction in life than their peers.
All donations to Hometown Heroes will be used to
purchase Girl Scout Cookies for local Hometown
Heroes, and U.S. military troops and their families.
Collect donations to send cookies to our local Hometown
Heroes through June. You can also donate directly on our
website at gshom.org. Look for “Cookies, Treats & Reads.”
20
Recipients of the 2016 Gold Award
It Pays to be a Girl Scout
Membership definitely has its advantages for Girl
Scouts graduating from high school who are members
of Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan.
In addition to entering a college or university with
an established set of leadership skills, our girls are
positioned well to apply and receive scholarships such
as the one created by Kathy Lindahl, a major supporter
of Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan and retired assistant
vice president for Finance and Operations at
Michigan State University.
Any girl who is graduating with plans to attend MSU,
is eligible to apply for the scholarship, which was
endowed in 1998. A committee of Girl Scouts Heart of
Michigan representatives selects one recipient who
receives between $3,000 and $4,000
towards each of the four years she attends MSU. To
date, more than 17 young women
have been recipients of the scholarship.
Numerous other scholarships are available to collegebound Girl Scouts, and we encourage each
and every one of our girls to list the
accomplishments, awards and
accolades they have received from
Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan on their
college applications.
Girl Scouting Matters!
Congratulations to the recipients of the Girl Scout Bronze Award
The Bronze Award is the highest honor bestowed on a Girl
Scout Junior. The girls who earn this award develop more
confidence, meet new people, and have the kind of fun
that happens when you work with other Girl Scouts
to make a difference. Congratulations Bronze Award
recipients,we hope you go for the silver. To earn the Bronze Award, girls
must be in 4th or 5th grade (or equivalent), be a registered Girl Scout
Junior and complete a Junior Journey.
Girl Scout Juliettes
Mercedes Aumack
Deidra Preuss
Battle Creek
Portage
Troop 30003
Macy Adams
Julie Anton-McPhee
Rachael Barry
Danielle Edington
Meghan Granzow
Makayla Hayes
Reiah Jaffer
Claudia Juarez-Allison
Ally Maloney
Sofia Mittino
Sarah Moreno
Jillian Moreno
Maddie Pine
Nora Robles
Emily Sargent
Tori Smith
Sarah Trevino
Alaina Tunney
Bella Waters
Lily Whitlock
Haslett
Haslett
Haslett
Williamston
East Lansing
Haslett
Haslett
Haslett
Haslett
Holt
Haslett
Haslett
East Lansing
East Lansing
Haslett
Haslett
Haslett
Okemos
East Lansing
Haslett
Troop 30019
Ashlyn Hackett Marlene Huber Annabelle Lebaron Isabelle Scheidler Elle Smith Claire Willoughby St. Johns
DeWitt
DeWitt
DeWitt
DeWitt
DeWitt
Troop 30064
Anna Buckland
Hailey Hagerty
Gabby Motz
Ashley Sanderlin
Claire Sanderlin
Nichole Steffens
Laingsburg
Laingsburg
Laingsburg
Laingsburg
Laingsburg
Laingsburg
Troop 30067
Mary Backman
Hailey Bila
Idyana Brown
Kailey Cataline
Lexie Chester
Megan Cook
Torri Densteadt
Alexis Dupree
Ally Estrada
Madison Grennell
Larissa Huffman
Alissa Kerswill
Corynne Ojerio
Megan Skidmore
Sophia Westphal
Bath
Laingsburg
Bath
Bath
Bath
Bath
Bath
Bath
Bath
Bath
Bath
Perry
Bath
Bath
East Lansing
Troop 30187
Lindsey Bohunsky
Kaylee Carlson
Kaymarie Culey
Kaylee Fish
Madelyn Geisenhaver
Jasmine Jackson
Allison Kloepfer
Katy Martinez
Jenna Patrick
Charlotte
Potterville
Potterville
Potterville
Potterville
Potterville
Grand Ledge
Dimondale
Potterville
Troop 30288
Payton Baker
Jaelyn Lance-Trout
Ainsley Louagie
Caitlyn Shaw
Ava Tilley
Okemos
East Lansing
East Lansing
East Lansing
East Lansing
Troop 30338
Karlie Budden
Emilee Ebert
Danielle Erisman
Katie Meade
Kira Schaaf
Tessa Shepherd
Sophia Staffeld
Christina Williams
Paige Wilton
Dansville
Webberville
Dansville
Dansville
Mason
Stockbridge
Dansville
Dansville
Dansville
Troop 30369
Ella Driksna
Alexandria Hackworth
Mykenzie LaBo
Marrissa Miller
Alyssa Morgan
Claire Rose
Hailey Ruddick
Allison Simpson
Leah South
Trinity Tupper
Lauren Warner
Carly Whipple
Eaton Rapids
Rives Junction
Eaton Rapids
Eaton Rapids
Eaton Rapids
Eaton Rapids
Eaton Rapids
Eaton Rapids
Eaton Rapids
Eaton Rapids
Eaton Rapids
Eaton Rapids
Troop 30421
Lily Ackels
Jordan Goward
Jayden Mulder
Gabby Vanderhoof
Ovid
Ovid
Elsie
Ovid
Troop 30448
Jordyn Bath
Morgan Bliesener
Lillianne Jones
Taylor Peterson
Holt
Dimondale
Lansing
Dimondale
Troop 30530
Audrey Cogswell
Destiny Crain
Rylei Ettinger
Rachel Loren
Samantha Maier
Monica Morehouse
Eaton Rpds
Springport
Eaton Rpds
Eaton Rpds
Eaton Rpds
Onondaga
Troop 40004
Sasha Catlett
Abigail Collom
Alison Harrington
Alison Hoobler
Allison Jesme
Skyler Lammers
Faith Robinson
Mary Sophia Webber
Howell
Brighton
Brighton
Brighton
Brighton
South Lyon
South Lyon
Brighton
Troop 40043
Katherine Bajcz
Emma Bassett
Nora Berry Jane Haviland
Grace Kennel
Sophie Licata
Nicole Tashian
Alia Tracy
Ka’Miaya Wright
Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor
Troop 40061
Kiersten Hein
Erin Kline
Emily Kuebler
Eve Martin
Adrianna Pietrandrea
Madeline Schroeder
Caroline Turco
Lauren Weiss
Novi
Novi
Northville
Northville
Northville
Northville
Novi
Novi
Troop 40076
Phoebe Harris
Chelsea
Emma Hedding
Chelsea
Ashlyn Hodel
Chelsea
Julia Kause
Chelsea
Lauren Lewis
Chelsea
Brooke Matusik
Chelsea
Natalie Morr
Chelsea
Brooklyn Nguyen
Chelsea
Brooklyn Nichols
Chelsea
Grace Pantolin
Manchester
Angelina Sitzler-Coussement
Chelsea
Fiona Stoker
Chelsea
Caitlin White
Gregory
Troop 40078
Julianne Doner
Madison Farris
Alexandra Grabowski
Mallory Hart
Alexis Khashan
Erin Morrisey
Breyana Morrison
Ania Sczepcenski
Katie Ziparo
Northville
Northville
Northville
Northville
Northville
Northville
Plymouth
Northville
Northville
800-49-SCOUT • gshom.org
21
Troop 40092
Charlotte Atkinson
Kelly Boynton
Natalie Childers
Tova Hagen
Melissa Huizing
Ava Klotz
Lauren Mackellar
Jacqueline Marquardt
Kendall Moeller
Blanka Toth
Serenity Vann-Jose
Victoria Winfield
Northville
Northville
Northville
Northville
Northville
Northville
Northville
Northville
Northville
Northville
Northville
Northville
Troop 40093
Audrey Davey
Kaylea Jones
Lauren McIntyre
Sabina Paison
Aliyah Redman
Lillian Strickland
Howell
Pinckney
Howell
Pinckney
Howell
Howell
Troop 40097
Nandita Boddu
Gabby Cui
Audrey Hagar
Laila Ismail
Ainsley Kane
Anika Kashyap
Natasha Kobelsky
Emily Liao
Sabrina Loftus
Mia Minniti
Uchenna Monplaisir
Lilly Sargent
Monique Tamon
Megan Vitale
Julia Vucinaj
Novi
Novi
Novi
Novi
Novi
Northville
Northville
Novi
Northville
Novi
Novi
Novi
Novi
Novi
Northville
Troop 40124
Sabrina Campbell
Savanna Cline
Alexis Harden
Plymouth
Ypsilanti
Plymouth
Troop 40146
Jordyn Dingler
Emelia Dunahoo
Abigail Freiberg
Eva Hardin
Jordan Knight
Kayleigh Lintz
Cora Mason
Rikkie Serrano
Emma Wik
Howell
Howell
Howell
Howell
Howell
Howell
Howell
Howell
Howell
Troop 40218
Madeline Bishoff
Elise Collins
Katie Howard
Julia Lorelli
Laura Mallie
Daria Rorick
Northville
Northville
Plymouth
Northville
Northville
Northville
Troop 40250
Jordyn Chapman
Eva Gill
Johanna Gill
Zoe Gray
Ella Kedzierski
Claire Pyles
Rhyan Stearn-Raskin
Allyson Storey
Kaitlyn Ward
Howell
Howell
Howell
Howell
Howell
Howell
Howell
Howell
Howell
22
Recipients of the 2016 Gold Award
Troop 40347
Ella Binder
Grace Boal
Gracie Bowles
Isabelle Brocci
Emma Clothier
Eden Ericson
Holland Ericson
Ava Goldberg
Grace Konrad
Mary Kate L’Heureux
Sophie Luchinsky
Elizabeth Phillips
Mya Rose
Alexandria Williams
Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth
Troop 40486
Julianna Christenson
Amiyah Hanserd
Nidhi Kundargi
Maya Laesch
Annelisa Lenardon
Mariella Ma
Gabrielle Whitman
Canton
Canton
Canton
Canton
Canton
Canton
Canton
Troop 40606
Sydney Cannon
Rebecca Carlson
Gabrielle Denson
Navi Fields
Makayla Jones
Hanan Kahala
Laila McRae
Jodeci Niedzielski
Mackenzie Williams
Minnet Zerisenai
Canton
Ypsilanti
Belleville
Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor
Ypsilanti
Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor
Ypsilanti
Ypsilanti
Troop 41076
GillianBrantmeyer
Willow Hayner
Ava Lowen
Stella Rayher-Badger Felicity Rosa-Davies
Keera Stelmak Allison Stoeffler
Elly Stolerow
Ina Tolo
Eilie Weatherbee
Elizabeth Woodman Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor
Troop 41133
Sidney Furge
Camryn Ihrke
Olivia Tappen
Emily White
Howell
Hartland
Hartland
Fenton
Troop 41225
Ainsley Blasch
Maggie Cheetam
Carol Detary
Natalie Dutton
Annanelle Henrie
Zoe Hetzel
Katelyn McCorry
Grace Morelli
Jillian New
Lilli Nolan
Samantha Rousseau
Katie Ruffner
Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth
Troop 41292
Hailey Bennett
Marina Dennis
Leigha Fuller
Mallory Holmberg
Sisley Houpt
Avery Jenkins
Georgianna Klein
Maggie Raedel
Jadyn Score
Caylie Sedell
Kara Voris
Brighton
Howell
Howell
Brighton
Brighton
Howell
Brighton
Howell
Howell
Howell
Brighton
Troop 41309
Anna Johnston
Caitlyn Lucas
Abigail Schafer
Sylvia Skonecki
Saline
Ann Arbor
Saline
Ann Arbor
Troop 42099
Brianna Black
Alexie Hawker
Gabrielle Jones
Kailey Lambert
Aimee Rodesiler Hannah Spence
Pinckney
Pinckney
Pinckney
Pinckney
Pinckney
Pinckney
Troop 50008
Allison Drescher
Riley Garrett
Heather Mousseau
Autumn Potter
Grace Schlagel
Skyelyn Wegner
East Tawas
East Tawas
East Tawas
Tawas City
East Tawas
East Tawas
Troop 50240
Emma Wahl
Bad Axe
Troop 50360
Isabel Kutz
Paige Terry
St. Charles
St. Charles
Troop 50466
Alexis Conrad
Amber Jones
Autumn Jones
Gladwin
Gladwin
Gladwin
Troop 50473
Haley Bowman
Allandra Breinager
Selena Chapa
Kadence Gilkerson
Makena Jones
Montana Kerr
Sienna Kerr
Megan Kulaszewski
Lauren Moore
Nicole Raleigh
Macey Rohn
Burton
Millington
Millington
Millington
Millington
Millington
Millington
Millington
Millington
Millington
Millington
Troop 50696
Emma Rose Anderson
Skylar Davy
Kasey Day
Hayden Holcomb
Brooke Last
Miranda Mathis
Lottiesue McGraw
Anastasia Sischo
Jenna Stone Gladwin
Gladwin
Gladwin
Gladwin
Gladwin
Gladwin
Gladwin
Gladwin
Gladwin
Troop 60033
Bree Baxter
Kim Mathews
Gabby Mathews
Desiree Poole
Kaitlyn St. Charles
Jackson
Jackson
Jackson
Jackson
Jackson
Troop 60138
Natalie Brosamer
McKenzie Fall
Micaella Fall
Angela Gawlik
Piper Herron
Abbie Moore
Brooklyn
Clarklake
Clarklake
Jackson
Brooklyn
Clarklake
Troop 60157
Ruby Bernhard
Grass Lake
Paige Hubert
Grass Lake
Trinity Humphrey
Grass Lake
Jessica Jonaitis
Grass Lake
Monica McKeel
Grass Lake
Annabelle Miller
Grass Lake
Karly Mae Penhallegon
Grass Lake
Heaven Leigh Hope Pokry Fky
Grass Lake
Alyssa Schultz
Grass Lake
Anna Schwerin
Grass Lake
Megan Taylor
Grass Lake
Loolu Wiltse
Grass Lake
Troop 80359
Cassie Chang
Emma VanWoert
Molly Young
Morgan Zagar
Scotts
Vicksburg
Vicksburg
Mattawan
Troop 80379
Alexia Ahola
Elizabeth DiPietro
Laila Ehrke
Katelyn Hogue
Avery Howe
Anneliese Kominek
Reilly Lum
Natalie Pitts
Andrea Repyak
Milena Rohs
Emma Sarratt
Riley VanDeVelde
Aliyah Zufall
Portage
Portage
Portage
Portage
Portage
Portage
Portage
Portage
Portage
Portage
Portage
Portage
Portage
Troop 80440
Samantha Diget
Cassandra Grooten
Savannah Keck
Allison Nower
Margaret Querfurth
Emma Schrum
Rose Shackleford
Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo
Troop 80443
Rebecca Aiello
Kelly Babb
Madeleine Root
Breanna Wallace
Chloe Zimmerman
Portage
Vicksburg
Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo
Troop 80466
Sarah Frazier
Megan Lasher
Amelia Loney
Kate Roelof
McKaylah Shank
Lilly VanDyke
Emilee White
Kalamazoo
Parchment
Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo
Troop 80510
Madelynn Olsen
Hastings
Troop 80602
Zada Rose
Madison Vasquez
Cristiana Worthams
Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo
1980‑Present Gold Award
The History of the Highest
Award in Girl Scouting
It hasn’t always been called the
Gold Award but it is 100 years
old this year!
1916‑1918 Golden Eaglet of Merit
1919‑1938 Golden Eaglet
One of Juliette Low’s
favorite duties was
to award the Golden
Eaglet in person. The
five requirements for
winning the Golden
Eaglet, she wrote in The American
Girl, “are character, health, handicraft,
happiness, and service, and that
others will expect to find in our Golden
Eaglets a perfect specimen of girlhood:
mentally, morally, and physically.”
1938–1940 First Class
The Golden Eaglet award was renamed
First Class.
1940–1963 Curved Bar
This award was earned by Intermediate
Scouts who had already earned the
First Class Award, and was the way to
bridge to Senior rank. Because of the
shortage of metal during WWII, at first
the award was a curved embroidered
patch worn on the uniform. In 1947, the
Curved Bar pin was introduced.
1963–1980 First Class
In 1963 the award was again named,
First Class. Requirements
for earning the First Class
Award changed over the
17 years it was offered.
In the beginning girls had
to earn a number of badges and four
challenges: Social Dependability,
Emergency Preparedness, Active
Citizenship and Girl Scout Promise. In
1972 eight new challenges were offered:
Arts, Community Action, Environment,
International Understanding, Knowing
Myself, My Heritage, Out-of-Doors, and
Today’s World.
In 1980 the Gold Award was
introduced. In 1990, National Council
Session delegates approved a proposal
which would keep the name of the Gold
Award in perpetuity. The requirements
evolved until 2010, when Girl Scouts
of the USA presented the current
requirements, focusing on leadership
skills, organizational skills, community
awareness and commitment.
Today’s girls embody the spirit of
Juliette Low through their leadership
and their service and can always be
proud that they are part of an elite
group of women who have earned this
award.
Congratulations to every young woman
who has achieved Girl Scouting’s
highest award!
800-49-SCOUT • gshom.org
23
MSU Federal Credit Union is a proud sponsor
of the Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan!
Federally insured
by NCUA
www.msufcu.org
517-333-2424 • 800-678-4968
Morgan, we are so proud of you.
Hard work really does pay off.
Love,
Mom and Dad
Thank you to our Board of Trustees
for your support and hard work!
Laura Bell
Trustee
Kalamazoo
Pat Brasseur
Trustee
Kalamazoo
Tiffany Dowling Trustee
Lansing
Lindsay Eister
Trustee
Lansing
Mary Flegal
Chair
Kalamazoo
Jennifer Foulk Treasurer
Ann Arbor
Larry Halman
Trustee
Jackson
Dennis Helwig
Trustee
Lansing
Barb Henton
2nd Vice Chair Saginaw
Kate LeFevre
Trustee
Saginaw
Kelley Peatross Trustee
Saginaw
Ryan Reffitt
Trustee
Kalamazoo
Monica Reyes
Trustee
Saginaw
Geri Rudolf
Trustee
Saginaw
Julie Sullivan1st Vice Chair Kalamazoo
Dana Tell
Trustee
Saginaw
Dr. Jan WerbinskiTrustee
Kalamazoo
Julie WigleyTrustee
Ann Arbor
Karen WoosterTrustee
Lansing
Many thanks to our
Gold Award Committee
for their dedication and guidance.
Donna Aubuchon, Ypsilanti
Jill Beauchamp, Ypsilanti
Kaci Benson, Lansing
Lisa Biering, Lansing
Marie Gatien, Lansing
Ina Germain, Ypsilanti
Renee Graham, Saginaw
Michelle Jackson-Long, Kalamazoo
Ana Lesmez, Lansing
Jackie Luedtke, Kalamazoo
Valerie Niemiec, Ypsilanti
Jan Radak, Ypsilanti
Kimberly Seaburg, Jackson
Katy Sly, Kalamazoo
Kathy Van Buren, Ypsilanti
Jennifer Weaver, Ypsilanti
Nicole Wilkinson, Kalamazoo
Cindy Zeitz, Ypsilanti
Riley, we are so proud of you in
completing your Gold Award.
The work you have done at the
YWCA Interim House will have a
lasting impact.
Love, Mom and Dad