14 GIRL SCOUTS SHINE BRIGHT WITH GOLD AWARD ACHIEVEMENTS ACROSS OHIO’S HEARTLAND
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland will recognize 14 girls with the Girl Scout Gold Award — the highest award a Girl Scout can earn. The Gold Award signifies a Girl Scout’s exceptional commitment to improving her community through leadership, creativity, and dedication.
The honorees include:
Ruthie Bailey, Lancaster
FUHS Musical Room
Bailey noticed that her school, Fairfield Union High School, lacked a safe, organized space for storing props, costumes, and jewelry used in musical productions. Taking initiative, she educated students and the community on proper care for clothing and accessories. She built movable dressing racks, modified cabinets for better storage, designed a designated costume change area, and posted care instructions to help preserve items for years to come. Bailey is currently a junior.
Reta Borton, Hamilton Township
Columbus Metropolitan Library Teen Advisory Council
Borton's project, Teen Advisory Council, was developed with the Columbus Metropolitan Library in response to low teen engagement and a lack of programming tailored to their interests. Wanting to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for their peers, Borton founded the Teen Advisory Council to give teens a voice in shaping the library’s offerings. The council meets monthly to reflect on past events, plan upcoming themes, and engage in thoughtful discussions through mini lessons. This initiative not only encourages more teen participation but also empowers youth by providing a safe space for their ideas, feedback, and leadership, helping them feel heard and connected within their community. Borton was a 2024 graduate of Hamilton Township High School and plans to attend college and major in library science.
Gabrielle Conrow, Seville
Mosaic Mentorship
Conrow launched the Mosaic Mentorship program to provide elementary students in Norwayne Local Schools with a creative outlet through afterschool art sessions—something previously unavailable in the district. Her project paired high school art club members and gifted art students with elementary students for a three-week program, meeting twice a week. The initiative included hands-on art projects and presentations on art history, designed and led by the high school mentors. In addition to nurturing creativity in younger students, the program gave high schoolers valuable experience in art education and leadership. Conrow is a current senior at Norwayne High School and plans to attend Shawnee State University after graduation.
Lillian Heydinger, Shelby
Shelby Little House: Embracing Yesterday, Experiencing Today, Enhancing Tomorrow
Heydinger earned the Gold Award for her project, Shelby Little House: Embracing Yesterday, Experiencing Today, Enhancing Tomorrow. Recognizing a lack of accessible information about the historic Shelby Little House, she conducted extensive research to document its full history. Heydinger created a centralized database, preserved the information both digitally and in hard copy, and shared her findings through social media to boost public awareness. To inspire future generations, she also developed a Girl Scout patch program focused on the Little House and its significance. Heydinger is a 2024 graduate of Shelby Senior High School and currently attends Ohio Northern University.
Sara Kallenberg, Lancaster
Alley Park Sensory Trail
Kallenberg, a senior at Lancaster High School, created a Sensory Trail at Alley Park to enhance accessibility for individuals with disabilities, the elderly, and families with young children. Officially opened with a ribbon cutting last November, the trail features accessible pathways, interactive sensory stations, and educational elements designed to engage visitors of all ages and abilities. Kallenberg educated the public on the importance of including people with different abilities in outdoor spaces, advocated for community members and partners to support the park in making this project happen, and organized a team of volunteers and local businesses to help bring her vision to life. Kallenberg plans to attend Ohio University after graduation.
Sophia Martin-Shaneen, Hilliard
End the Stigma. Period.
Martin-Shaneen’s Gold Award project, End The Stigma. Period., tackles menstrual health issues by improving access to period products and combating misinformation. She worked to provide free menstrual supplies in public restrooms, supply the Hilliard Food Pantry, and raise awareness of the pantry’s ongoing need for these items. Additionally, Martin-Shaneen focused on educating the community to correct widespread misconceptions about periods, emphasizing that accurate information is essential for equality and fairness. Martin-Shaneen is a 2024 graduate of Hilliard Darby High School and currently attends Kent State University.
Lilly McGraw, Westerville
Gardening to Improve the Environment
McGraw’s project, Gardening to Improve the Environment, focused on educating her community about sustainable gardening practices to positively impact the environment. Through hands-on activities and age-specific lessons, McGraw engaged everyone from preschoolers to adults—leading pollinator garden plantings, soil health demonstrations, story times, and environmental lessons that reached hundreds of students. She also created an educational booklet for adults titled This Garden Loves The Earth, offering practical advice for making eco-friendly changes to lawn care and gardening in Ohio. McGraw’s project empowered her community to take action and make meaningful, lasting contributions to environmental health through gardening. McGraw was a 2024 graduate of New Albany High School. She is a resident of Westerville and currently attends The Ohio State University.
Abigail Morgan, North Lawrence
Caring by Creating: Self-Care Through Sculpting
Morgan’s project, Caring by Creating: Self-Care Through Sculpting, addressed the lack of art education resources and mental health awareness in her community. Through a series of workshops focused on sculpting with polymer clay, Morgan introduced participants to the therapeutic benefits of art as a tool for managing anxiety and promoting well-being. By sharing her own experiences with mental health, she fostered open conversations and encouraged emotional expression through creativity. Her project not only offered a calming, hands-on activity but also helped reduce the stigma around mental health and highlighted the growing value of art therapy. Morgan was a 2024 graduate of Orville High School. She currently attends Penn State Altoona.
Amelia Robinson, Groveport
Pollinating Our Way to a Better Future,
Robinson’s project, Pollinating Our Way to a Better Future, was inspired by time spent outdoors during the pandemic and a partnership with a Columbus Metro Parks naturalist, which sparked her passion for protecting pollinators. For her Gold Award, Robinson focused on raising awareness about the decline of pollinators due to pests, agrochemicals, and habitat loss. She tackled habitat degradation by distributing pollinator-friendly plant seeds and a curated flower list at community events. To further educate and engage the public, she created brochures and a video outlining simple, actionable steps individuals can take to support pollinator populations and protect these vital species. Robinson was a 2024 graduate of Groveport Madison High School. She currently attends Ohio Dominican University.
Hunter Slack, Oak Hill
Teaching a New Generation to Grow Green
Slack’s project, Teaching a New Generation to Grow Green, focused on addressing poverty and food scarcity. She partnered with South Webster FFA to teach community members how to grow their own gardens, promote healthier lifestyles, and strengthen their communities. Through her project, she aimed to empower others with the knowledge and skills needed to create lasting change. Slack is a 2024 graduate of South Webster High School and currently attends Crown College of the Bible.
Anna Swager, Galena
K-2 Outdoor Music and Art
Swager created her project, K-2 Outdoor Music and Art, because she recognized the need for accessible creative and educational experiences in nature. She designed and installed an outdoor weaving wall, music wall, and pipe sound wall at Spruce Run Nature Center in Galena for kindergarten through second-grade students. Her project provides opportunities for both local community members and Columbus City Schools students to engage with music and art in a natural setting. Swager is a junior at Big Walnut High School.
Danielle Thompson, New Albany
Movement Can Help with Mental & Physical Health
Thompson’s project, Movement Can Help with Mental & Physical Health, was inspired by her grandmother’s struggles with mobility and pain, as well as her own lifelong passion for dance. To support seniors in her community, Thompson led weekly movement classes at assisted living homes, using dance-based exercises to promote both physical and mental wellness. She also created a comprehensive pamphlet detailing exercises and their targeted muscle groups, along with memory-supportive tracing cards distributed at local churches and care facilities. To expand accessibility, she shared a QR code linking to these resources online and within her community, encouraging continued movement and health beyond the classroom. Thompson is a senior at New Albany High School. She plans to attend college to study data science.
Kaitlyn Wandersleben, Etna
A Girl’s Guide to Machining
Wandersleben’s project, A Girl’s Guide to Machining, aims to encourage more young women to explore STEM fields. Wandersleben taught middle and high school girls how to use hand tools, simple tools, and large machinery, while emphasizing machine shop safety. She recorded instructional classes, shared the videos within her community, and created a social media page to broaden her reach. Through her project, she helped change perceptions and empowered young girls to see themselves succeeding in STEM. Wandersleben is a senior at Watkins Memorial High School.
Skyler Washburn, Mansfield
Traumatic Incident Comfort Care
Washburn earned the Gold Award for her project, Traumatic Incident Comfort Care. Inspired by her volunteer work with the local fire department, where her father serves as fire chief, Washburn saw the urgent need for immediate support for victims of house fires and traumatic events. She created care kits filled with essentials like hygiene items, socks, flip-flops, and shirts, which are now stored in the fire department’s ambulance and distributed to victims on the scene. Her project aims to ease some of the immediate stress survivors face in the aftermath of a crisis. Washburn is a junior at Crestview High School and also takes classes at North Central State College.
Girl Scouts Take Action
The Girl Scout Gold Award, part of the Highest Awards Program, honors girls in grades nine through 12 who complete extraordinary leadership projects that are sustainable and measurable. Each project requires a minimum of 80 hours to complete, and honorees demonstrate the highest standards of community engagement and innovation.
“Gold Award Girl Scouts are the heart of what Girl Scouts is all about—seeing a need in their community and stepping up to make a real difference,” said Tammy Wharton, President and CEO of Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland. “These projects show the kind of leadership, creativity, and passion we’re so proud to see in our Gold Award recipients. Our 2025 class has raised the bar. They’re problem-solvers, changemakers, and inspiring role models.”
Each year, fewer than 6% of eligible Girl Scouts earn the Gold Award. Since 1916, approximately one million Girl Scouts have achieved this prestigious honor.
A total of 14 recipients from across the Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland 30-county service area will be recognized during the Highest Awards Ceremony. It will take place Saturday, May 3 at the new AEP Foundation STEM Leadership Center, located on the Battelle Science and Innovation Campus at Camp Ken-Jockety in Galloway, OH. Sarah Converse of ABC 6/Fox 28 will emcee the event.
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We're Girl Scouts of the USA
We're 2.5 million strong – more than 1.7 million girls and 750,000 adults who believe in the power of every girl to change the world. Our extraordinary journey began more than 100 years ago with Juliette Gordon “Daisy” Low. On March 12, 1912, in Savannah, Ga., she organized the very first Girl Scout troop. Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland is proud to serve our more than 14,000 members in 30 counties across central and southern Ohio by honoring her vision and legacy, building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. We’re the preeminent leadership development organization for girls. And with programs from coast to coast and across the globe, Girl Scouts offers every girl a chance to practice a lifetime of leadership, adventure, and success. To volunteer, reconnect, donate, or join, visit www.gsoh.org.
PR Contact:
Michelle Bretscher
P: 614.499.0889 E: michelle@mtbmkt.com
April 30, 2025
