Gold Award

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Gabrielle Cooper
Building Bridges
Little Rock | Troop 6659

Troop Leader: Wanda King
Project Advisor: Deirdra Brown
Years in Girl Scouts: 13 years

Gold Award Project:
Gabrielle focused on issues of depression and loneliness among elderly people in nursing homes. Through conversations with residents at a local nursing facility, she took the time to learn about their families, interests, and what brings them joy, building meaningful relationships. With these insights and connections, Gabrielle organized a group of teen volunteers to spread kindness through letters, drawings, and thoughtful holiday greetings. Volunteers also visited the nursing home to share smiles, stories, and time together. To ensure the kindness keeps growing, Gabrielle partnered with the teen ministry at her church, which will continue regular visits and outreach.

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Morgan Harrison
Quapaw Quarter Association Youth Corps
Maumelle | Troop 6903

Troop Leader: Dawn Thompson
Project Advisor: Amber Crouch
Parents/Caregivers: Rick Harrison and Lisa Harrison
Years in Girl Scouts: 10 years

Gold Award Project:

Morgan recognized the need for a new generation of enthusiastic conservationists to join the Quapaw Quarter Association (QQA), an organization dedicated to advocacy and preserving and restoring historic homes in the Little Rock area. She developed a plan to recruit students who enjoy engaging in their communities, preserving local history, and assisting in restoration projects. After requesting and gaining approval of the QQA board, Morgan launched the QQA Youth Corps, a diverse group of 9th–12th grade students now actively engaged in the group’s projects and advocacy efforts. She worked closely with QQA leadership to build a sustainable future for the Youth Corps, creating a leadership succession plan, designating an adult mentor, and establishing a budget to support the group’s continued success.

How did the Gold Award process and project affect you personally?

Because of my Gold Award and the process of completing it, I have learned so much about myself and what I can do. I am able to lead a team, communicate well, and solve difficult problems. I also learned that I have a deep passion for historical preservation and that I want to use my leadership skills to impact the community. I learned how to find solutions that go along with the QQA's goals and values and I have recognized the power of working together and working with a diverse group of people.

Future plans: I attend the University of Central Arkansas. Once I graduate, I plan to become a crime and intelligence analyst for law enforcement.

Maggie H.

Maggie H.
Adding Spice to Life and Filling Hungry Bellies
Jonesboro | Troop 3343

Troop Leaders: Amy Stanley, Brandy Pratt
Project Advisor: Debbie Gairhan
Parents/Caregivers: Danyelle and Keary Hutton
Years in Girl Scouts: 10 years

Gold Award Project: Maggie’s project addressed food insecurity in northeast Arkansas, where more than 63,000 people rely on food pantries to feed their families. While raising awareness about available food resources, she also focused on a challenge that is often overlooked: how difficult it can be to prepare flavorful, nutritious meals from pantry staples, especially when lacking basic spices or cooking skills. To help, Maggie created a website and social media presence that shares up-to-date information on Craighead County food pantries and soup kitchens, including hours and services. She also posted easy, affordable recipes using common food pantry ingredients, empowering families to make the most of what they have. Maggie raised funds to assemble and donate 300 spice and seasoning kits, giving families a way to add flavor and variety to their meals. To ensure her project continues, the Mayor’s Youth Advancement Council, where Maggie serves, will assume responsibility for her website. Her resources are now featured on multiple government and civic sites, expanding the project’s reach. Additionally, a local cooking club will continue assembling spice kits to include in their annual holiday food boxes.

How did the Gold Award process and project affect you personally? I learned how to network and ask for help as well as communicate plans and lead large groups of people through multi-step projects. I learned how to efficiently set up and execute fundraisers with minimal cost and big returns.

Future plans: Pursue a degree in business/communication, and work in the culinary industry

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Mailelani Lessenberry
Our Grey Matters: Traumatic Brain Injury and Helmet Safety Awareness
Bella Vista | Troop 5456

Troop Leader: Tammy Sutherland
Project Advisor: Yvette Lam
Parents/Caregivers: Jeremy Lessenberry, Jordyn Lessenberry
Years in Girl Scouts: 13

Gold Award Project: Mailelani tackled the critical issue of traumatic brain injury (TBI) by raising awareness about the life-saving importance of helmet safety. Through an impactful social media campaign, she educated her community about how wearing a helmet can prevent serious injuries. Mailelani expanded her reach by partnering with nonprofit organizations, writing a magazine article, creating a PSA video, and participating in a bike and helmet giveaway event to engage directly with families. Her efforts inspired others to make safer choices and protected riders and other sports enthusiasts in her community and beyond. The educational resources she created will continue to spread awareness and encourage helmet use for years to come.

How did the Gold Award process and project affect you personally? After experiencing a concussion while working on my project, I became more passionate about helmet safety and brain injury awareness, which inspired me even more to take action. I also learned that when I put my mind to something, I can do anything and learned that I can accomplish my project effectively. I’ve never had to juggle so much at once - my senior year of high school, college and scholarship applications, extracurriculars, and this Girl Scout Gold Award project. I learned what was important to me, and how I can prioritize my time wisely to inspire change in the world.

Future plans: I've just completed my first year of college as a business and theology student at the University of Dallas, and once I graduate, I plan on going on to earn my MBA and eventually own my own marketing agency.

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Makenzie Newton
The Nutrition Nook
Little Rock | Troop 6659

Troop Leader: Wanda King
Project Advisor: Anna Parrish
Years in Girl Scouts: 13 years

Gold Award Project:

Makenzie set out to improve students’ understanding of nutrition and its effects on the body and mind. She founded the Nutrition Nook Club at her high school to inspire her peers to make healthier food choices through education, encouragement, and community support. Makenzie organized hands-on workshops where students learned to prepare balanced meals and nutritious snacks, making healthy eating both fun and approachable. She invited nutritionists and dietitians to share expert advice, helping students connect everyday choices with lifelong wellness. To bring learning to life, Makenzie also launched a school garden, where students could grow their own vegetables and herbs, promoting hands-on learning about food sources. All her educational resources including recipes, workshop presentations, and other educational information are housed in a digital library, ensuring the Nutrition Nook Club continues to support future students in their wellness journeys.

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Madeline Partain
Tees to Totes
Van Buren | Troop 4048

Troop Leader: Miel Partain
Project Advisor: Amber Bryant
Years in Girl Scouts: 13 years

Gold Award Project: Madeline’s project tackled the environmental impact of textile waste and single-use plastics. She created a hands-on program that taught local Girl Scouts how to recycle donated t-shirts into reusable tote bags using sewing machines, reducing the need for plastic bags while sparking creativity and eco-awareness. Each participant earned a special patch designed by Madeline, celebrating their commitment to making a difference. To extend the impact, Madeline partnered with the Sack Lunch Program in her community, providing tote bags and recycling education to clients in need, sharing both resources and knowledge to inspire sustainable choices. Her project doesn’t stop there: local Girl Scout troops will continue making tote bags, keeping the mission alive and growing in the future.

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Laura Stephens
With Music Friendship Never Ends
Jonesboro | Troop 3485

Troop Leaders: Jennifer Stephens and Christy Castenada
Project Advisor: Ivory Wells
Parents/Caregivers: Jennifer and Michael Stephens
Years in Girl Scouts: 13 years

Gold Award Project: Laura’s project addressed the lack of music education in her community and took action to share the joy of music with local children. She designed and built a free-standing music wall filled with playable instruments and donated it to her local library, creating a hands-on space where kids and families can explore music together. Laura also led music classes at the library during the school year, teaching children and community members how to make music. Thanks to Laura’s inspiring work, the librarian plans to continue offering classes and use the music wall to keep the rhythm going for years to come.

How did the Gold Award process and project affect you personally? I have always been in love with music, so seeing the community and kids in the community love to come play the music wall and show an interest in music makes my heart happy. This project makes me feel like I helped someone find their love for music!

Future plans: Attend Arkansas State University and major in Music Industry

Nora Ware

Nora Ware | Troop 5327 | Fayetteville
Brainwaves

Troop Leaders: Sandra Ware and Alanna Hunt
Project Advisor: Kena Bailey
Parents/Caregivers: Morgan and Sandra Ware
Years in Girl Scouts: 13 years

Gold Award Project: Nora used technology and coding to create an interactive art and light installation, and an accompanying educational website, at her local library to help children and teens learn how coding basics work in a fun way, allowing them to see what they input into a computer can change their surroundings. Her goal was to influence teens to see the digital world as another avenue to express themselves and to spark an interest in coding and technology. After being on display at the library, the project will continue in the STEM classroom at a local elementary school.

How did the Gold Award process and project affect you personally? I learned it takes a lot of work to get a big project done, and that sometimes even the small things you like can be a tool that can impact the community around you.

Future plans: Attend the UofA for art/graphic design; long term goal: pursue character and scenery design

Service Project	Take Action Project (Sustainable)
Volunteering at a park to pick up litter.	Ridding an area of non-native vegetation and reseeding the area with native vegetation as well as educating community about importance of native vegetation via workshops.
Collecting books and building a Little Free Library	Establishing a reading program for at risk youth at the homeless shelter. Building a Little Free Library in an area of low literacy where there is no library access and creating media campaign for community about how to use and donate.
Planting a butterfly garden.	Working with city parks department to start a community garden that the city will maintain and teaching gardening skills to younger girls during workshops.
Decorating and displaying a poster with healthy eating tips.	Host workshops for elementary students to learn cooking skills and send them home with a recipe book developed as part of project.
Building a picnic table for your park.	Creating a Leave No Trace interpretive guide for education trail near elementary school.

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Gold Award

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