2025-2026 GSHS Girl Scout Gold Award Recipients
The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest achievement in Girl Scouts.
Since 1916, Girl Scouts have been making meaningful, sustainable change in their communities and around the world.
We are so proud of you and hope that these outstanding young women and their exciting projects will inspire more girls to take action and Go Gold! in the future!
Allie Bullock Food for Thought
Troop 23117 Union SU 246 New Albany, MS
Allie learned that Mississippi faces high poverty and obesity rates, leading many residents to depend on processed and fast food despite abundant, fertile land suitable for growing food. Allie concluded that limited childhood education in gardening has reduced adult confidence in growing food, while busy work schedules also discourage people from maintaining gardens. She addressed these issues by creating a community garden of native, edible plants in partnership with the Union County Heritage Museum to combat food insecurity. The project introduced permaculture concepts, provided educational pamphlets, and helped visitors learn about sustainable, low-maintenance gardening and local food sources. The garden is sustained by the museum and the Northside District Garden Club.
Morgaan Butler Fabric Fusion
Troop 13366 Midtown SU 177 Memphis, TN
With a lifelong love of sewing, Morgaan Butler researched the negative impact that mass clothing production like fast fashion has on the quality of clothing and the decline in the number of tailors and seamstresses around the world. With this in mind, Morgaan made it her goal to revive the art and skill of sewing by creating and managing a sewing club at East High School. She worked with a network of sewing experts to teach the students – both boys and girls, and came up with creative projects for the students to complete in order to practice important techniques. In addition to fun sewing projects, Morgaan invited guest speakers to visit with club members and talk about the importance of sewing in their lives. East High School will continue to offer the sewing club in the future so that the project will continue to encourage interest and skill development in sewing for future students.
Kelsi Carrothers Love Shouldn’t Hurt
Troop 10217 Stateline SU 181 Walls, MS
Kelsi focused on raising awareness about domestic violence among teenagers, emphasizing that unhealthy relationships should never be normalized. Through research and collaboration with the Taffi T. Crawford Domestic Violence Foundation (TTCDVF), Kelsi introduced an educational initiative at Lewisburg High School, including an informational table, handouts, and open discussions. The effort created a safe space for students to ask questions, learn to recognize warning signs, and seek guidance. By fostering honest conversations, Kelsi’s project empowered students with knowledge and resources to navigate difficult situations. The project’s impact will be sustained through ongoing annual visits and educational programming provided by TTCDVF at the school.
Ella Christopher F.A.N. (Female Athlete Nutrition)
Troop 13368 Germantown SU 174
Germantown, TN
Ella chose to address the lack of accessible, practical nutrition information for teenage female athletes. Through research, expert consultation, and surveys, Ella identified knowledge gaps and created engaging informational displays and easy-to-use zines with daily nutrition tips and quick snack ideas. The presentations and materials significantly improved understanding, increasing those who felt knowledgeable about nutrition from 11.8% to 56.3%. By simplifying complex information, Ella empowered athletes to make healthier choices that support performance and wellbeing. The project will be sustained through school athletic trainers who will continue to share the printable zines, and QR-linked resources to ensure continued access for future athletes.
McKinsey Coleman Diaper Closet
Troop 23804 Alcorn SU 236
Biggersville, MS
McKinsey addressed a critical gap in community resources by creating a Diaper Closet to support mothers and families unable to afford basic baby necessities. Recognizing that no local services provided diapers, McKinsey tackled stress caused by poverty, teen pregnancy, and inflation. Through organizing donation drives, building storage, and partnering with her church and Oasis medical center, McKinsey served nearly 100 families with diapers, clothing, and support resources. She also connected families to parenting education and a supportive community network. The project will be sustained through ongoing church leadership, future donation drives, and expanded services like a clothing closet.
Chloe Lane Meals Made Kind
Troop 10568 Cordova SU 173 Cordova, TN
Chloe tackled barriers such as poverty, limited transportation, and lack of dignified access to meals to address food insecurity. Chloe created “Meals Made Kind,” a pay it forward card system in partnership with local restaurants and Bartlett’s Closet to provide free, restaurant-quality meals to individuals and families in need. The project successfully partnered with four restaurants, increasing awareness and community involvement while ensuring respectful access to food. Participants gained confidence and knowledge about available resources, and community partners deepened their understanding of food insecurity. The program will be sustained through ongoing restaurant donations and continued coordination by Bartlett’s Closet.
Padaris Lawrence Giving Children a New Light
Troop 20320 MS Southeast SU 243
Starkville, MS
Padaris set a goal of improving children’s safety and well-being at the Boys & Girls Club by transforming an overgrown, unusable outdoor space into a clean, welcoming environment. By leading her team in clearing debris, removing weeds, building two sturdy picnic tables, and creating an uplifting “Dream Big” mural, the space now supports outdoor play, learning, and social interaction. Children benefit from a safer, more inclusive area that promotes health, creativity, and happiness. The project will be sustained through ongoing maintenance, staff involvement, volunteer support, and continued integration into daily activities.
McCarty Overby Fun with Fiber Arts
Troop 23228 MS Southeast SU 243
Starkville, MS
McCarty addressed the need for a sustainable and inclusive curriculum at the J.L. King Center by developing Fun with Fiber Arts, a creative and engaging fiber arts program curriculum for children of all ages and genders. Fiber arts activities build fine motor skills, encourage patience and spatial reasoning, and provide a therapeutic, stress-relieving outlet. To ensure sustainability, McCarty produced both print and electronic versions of the curriculum, allowing the program to be easily accessed and replicated. She also established ongoing partnerships with individuals and the Golden Triangle Fiber Arts Guild to secure future donations of materials and support.
Carissa Palmer Seeds of Growth: Small Seeds, Big Truth
Troop 20320 MS Southeast SU 243 Starkville, MS
Carissa saw the need for a structured, engaging childcare program during Sunday morning worship at Starkville Church of Christ for children ages 2–4. The previous nursery lacked consistency and volunteers, limiting its effectiveness for families. Carissa created “Seeds of Truth,” a developmentally appropriate Bible-based program that allows children to learn, grow, and engage in faith-based activities while parents participate in worship without distraction. Through surveys, attendance tracking, and memory verse progress, Carissa was able to confirm that both children and parents benefited significantly from the program. The project will be sustained by church leadership and committed volunteers who will continue running the program in the future.
Genevieve Remsen Caring Cards Club
Troop 13368 Germantown SU 174
Germantown, TN
Genevieve fought the issue of loneliness and isolation among elderly residents in retirement communities by fostering meaningful intergenerational connections with students. She created a program where students from Briarcrest Christian School wrote hand-decorated cards and celebrated holidays and birthdays with residents at Lutheran Village and Hearthside Senior Living, helping bring joy to special moments that can often feel overlooked. Genevieve measured success through interviews and surveys, which showed increased happiness among residents and a strong sense of impact among students. The project built communication and relationshipbuilding skills across generations and will be sustained through the continued operation of the Caring Cards Club with future leadership ensured through underclassman succession planning.
Alexandra Ritchie
Garden Terrace Park Pollinator Garden
Troop 13213 MS Central SU 184 Oxford, MS
After conducting research, Alexandra recognized the decline of pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, which threatens ecosystems and food systems. She targeted the root cause of habitat and food loss by planting native Mississippi species that provide resources for pollinators in a local park. She also educated Daisy Girl Scouts and community members about pollinators through hands-on planting and garden education activities. The garden is growing and increasing awareness among park visitors and young participants about environmental stewardship. Alexandra’s work will be sustained as the City of Oxford waters the garden during park maintenance and native perennial plants return each year.
Caroline Sanders
CES Good Health and Hygeine Habits: Tips and Resource Project
Troop 23117 Union SU 246 New Albany, MS
Caroline addressed the lack of access to basic healthcare supplies by creating and distributing first aid kits and health education materials to self-contained classrooms in the New Albany School District. Caroline researched and worked with educators to better serve special education students who needed both supplies and instruction on how to use the kits. She provided simplified brochures on healthy habits and first aid use, and the kits were used in classrooms as well as Special Olympics events to promote safety. The kits and information will be sustained through the local SMILE initiative, Crown Club, and Anchor Club continuing training and education.
Renee Wang Kids Run 365 - East Memphis
Troop 13367 Germantown SU 174 Germantown, TN
With a love for running, Renee established a free children’s running program in East Memphis promoting youth health, accessibility, and community engagement by giving families a nearby wellness option with fun incentives, structured runs, and supportive volunteers. Renee addressed limited access to local running programs by removing transportation barriers and motivating consistent participation, leading to strong turnout, repeat involvement, improved fitness habits, and greater family engagement in outdoor activity across the community. The program will be sustained by younger group leaders, supportive volunteers, and returning participants to continue leading sessions in the future.
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.
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.
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