2026HighestAwardYearbook
A Letter From the GSSJC CEO
Every day, Girl Scouts across southeast Texas are making the world a better place — in big and small ways. They never cease to amaze me with their creativity, compassion, courage and commitment, especially through their Highest Award projects. Whatever the world throws their way, Girl Scouts remain ready and responsive to some of society’s most pressing issues.
In this year’s Highest Awards Yearbook, we are thrilled to once again recognize the Girl Scouts who earned their Gold Award between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026, in addition to those who earned their Silver and Bronze Awards. From disaster preparedness, conservation, and mental health awareness, to burn prevention, equine safety and better sleep habits, girls addressed a variety of issues with their limitless passion, creativity, and leadership.
The Gold Award is the highest honor a Girl Scout can earn; it requires true heart and a commitment to creating lasting change. Girls must be introspective and confident in enlisting support and engagement from the public; they must be bold, tireless, organized and willing to roll with the punches. These projects reflect how Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors are making the world a better place.
This year, we are proudly celebrating 101 girls who have earned the Gold Award (most featured in the yearbook). They are a testament to what is possible when we listen to, support, and elevate girls through mentorship, sisterhood and Girl Scouting. The same can be said for the 285 Girl Scout Cadettes who earned their Silver Award this year, and the 732 Girl Scout Juniors who achieved the Bronze Award. These girls’ efforts are preparing them to pursue their Gold Award in the future.
To our Girl Scout Highest Award recipients: congratulations and thank you! Your community, peers, and schools appreciate your efforts. We hope you have a better understanding of what is possible through collaboration, commitment and courage.
Parents, volunteers, and mentors: thank you for standing beside these Girl Scouts as they make big plans and pursue projects that create lasting change. Your belief, patience, and support are crucial to their development.
As you read through the Highest Award Yearbook, I know you will share in my deep sense of pride in these girls of courage, confidence, and character. It gives me great faith in their ability to make our world a better place for years to come.
Sincerely,
Chief Executive Officer
Mary Vitek
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.
Eneh Oche Leads the Way in Mental Health Support
For many teens, mental health struggles are more than statistics; they are part of daily life. Girl Scout Eneh Oche knows this firsthand. Like many teenagers, she has experienced stress and anxiety, and while researching treatment options for herself, she realized many of her peers were struggling in silence and didn’t know where to turn for support.
The World Health Organization estimates that one in seven adolescents worldwide experiences a mental health disorder. Despite the prevalence, mental health is still widely underdiscussed, leaving many teens navigating academic pressure, social media comparisons, and lofty expectations without adequate support.
Motivated to help change that reality, Eneh addressed the issue through her Girl Scout Gold Award project, creating a free YouTube channel designed specifically for teens. The platform offers practical, realistic strategies for managing mental health in a space intended to feel welcoming, relatable, and free of judgment.
The Gold Award is the highest honor a Girl Scout can earn, recognizing leadership, measurable community impact, and a lasting solution to a local or global issue. To earn the award, Girl Scouts must identify a root problem, develop a plan, engage community partners, and show long-term impact.
In the African American community, mental health often is not openly discussed, and counseling is not always widely accepted, Eneh said. As a self-described reserved person, she struggled with mental health challenges for five to six years before contacting a therapist. “I knew I wanted to do my project on mental health because of the silence in my community,” she said.
To ensure the information shared was credible and meaningful, Eneh interviewed two licensed youth therapists and a psychiatric nurse practitioner, who offered professional insight and coping strategies tailored to teen experiences. She also featured students on the channel, whose candid conversations helped normalize mental health struggles and reminded viewers they were not alone.
With guidance from her project advisor and mentor, Eneh developed interview questions, coordinated schedules, and led each conversation with professionalism and care. Through the process, she discovered her ability to remain calm under pressure, problem-solve, and take initiative.
When one planned interview fell through due to health issues, Eneh adapted quickly by contacting another licensed professional, adjusting her timeline, and keeping the project on track. She said the experience strengthened her adaptability, leadership skills, and confidence. After completion, Eneh shared the YouTube channel through word of mouth and two high school organizations she is involved with: the Mental Health Club and the African Student Association. She also posted QR codes linking to the channel on the student events board at her high school. Through online access and community outreach, the project reached more than 224 people worldwide, extending its impact beyond her local community.
One of the project’s key messages is that teens have multiple coping tools available to manage everyday mental health stressors, including listening to music, journaling, and relying on faith. Eneh said she learned that certain coping strategies worked better for her personally and emphasized that different approaches work for different people.
She now uses an app to track goals and manage daily tasks and another to write down frustrations as an emotional outlet. “I hope teens walk away knowing how to find people they can confide in or resources that can help them,” Eneh said. “You can’t suppress your emotions. You need an outlet, or those emotions can become overwhelming.”
By combining professional expertise, authentic teen voices, and leadership, Eneh’s Gold Award project transformed awareness into action and encouraged open conversations about mental health. Her work reinforces a message she hopes resonates with teens everywhere: Support is available, and they do not have to face mental health challenges alone.
Eneh is a high school senior who began Girl Scouts as a Daisy. She plans to attend Texas A&M University in the fall of 2026, where she intends to study architecture.
Gold Award Girl Scouts
April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026
Congratulations to the recipients of Girl Scouts’ highest award!
The following Girl Scouts agreed to be featured in this year’s Gold Award Yearbook. We are proud to recognize the outstanding efforts put forth through each project.
Ainsley Abbey created an awareness website on the harmful effects of chemical sunscreens on ocean ecosystems, especially coral reefs. She also produced a brochure about selecting reef-safe alternatives, partnered with three tour agencies and GSSJC travel, created an Instagram account with regular posts, and held an awareness station during a cruise.
Nisah Ali created an inclusion program for students with special needs. She provided activities designed to build social, motor, and communication skills. Nisah and her team made activity guides, trained volunteers, and partnered with special education teachers to ensure accessibility. An Instagram account with activity recaps, a digital toolkit, and a lesson plan will allow others to recreate this program for sustainability.
Safaa Ali focused on preventing bullying among pre-adolescents through interactive sessions. She led 10 volunteers and partnered with the George and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Library to host two children’s workshops. She also led a parent session attended by 43 adults. Motivated by her own experiences, she sought to equip families with practical anti-bullying tools.
Clarissa Alvarez created a mental health website for teens and led workshops to help young people understand the effects of social media on their well-being. Her workshop covered boundary setting, healthier online habits, and coping strategies. Her website will offer teens ongoing resources for balanced social media use.
Preethi Arunachalam improved access to STEM for underserved youth through a nine-week video game coding workshop at Attack Poverty. She taught classes to elementary students on core programming concepts using Code.org and Scratch. Preethi created a self-paced instructional website and shared it with nonprofits and public schools across Houston.
Advika Asthana wanted people to have more knowledge of what to recycle. Through workshops, social media, and her website, she shared city-specific rules on recycling and how to explore upcycling options. Her impact will continue with her church keeping her brochures displayed and through the help of Clothed by Faith. Her schools Green Club will maintain her website.
Lea Avellaneda partnered with Houston Cares Animal Rescue to educate families on safe pet care. After volunteering 100 hours at Houston SPCA, she noticed improper pet handling. So she created an educational video to teach families how to care for cats and dogs responsibly. She shared the video with the organization, which now uses it to promote better pet treatment, reduce mishandling, and educate future pet owners.
Anya Baijal created a bluebird conservation project by building a nesting trail at Bates Allen Park and producing an educational video. Her video, shared on YouTube and linked by QR codes on the boxes and the county website, teaches viewers why bluebirds matter and how to help them. Her project provides long-lasting conservation guidance for the community.
Zynah Basaria led a project addressing disaster preparedness among youth ages 11–18. She organized 11 interactive workshops at Elkins High School for more than 500 students. Zynah created a Linktree that generated more than 150 views, and an Instagram account that generated more than 40,000 views, ensuring continued access to preparedness resources.
Carissa Beil challenged the overconsumption of fast fashion. Her project included education, social media outreach, and a community clothing swap. She increased awareness and demonstrated practical alternatives such as thrifting, swapping, and responsible donating. The project continues through Instagram and an educational presentation.
Alaina Birran planned and hosted a clothing swap in order to educate consumers about the detrimental effects of fast fashion on the environment. She also created a DIY clothing guide, which explains how to repurpose old clothes, so they do not end up in a landfill. Her website will continue to educate the public, and a community organization will host annual clothing swaps in her community.
Fiona Blackman created a native plant pollinator garden at a local elementary school. Her project included educational signage in the garden, a booth at the school’s spring fair, an informational website, and teaching materials to promote student learning about pollinators. The garden and educational resources will be used by the school’s teachers.
Rachael Blumin organized a Jewish learning camp at Temple Beth Torah to help children build friendships and learn about Jewish traditions. The children completed crafts about Jewish holidays and Torah stories and played games that encouraged teamwork and connection. The project strengthened community within the religious school and helped students interact across age groups.
Kendall Box focused her project on teaching young children how to recognize when someone needs CPR and what steps to take. She partnered with the American Heart Association to develop a presentation, which she delivered to elementary students and their parents at five schools.
Megan Brady researched, designed, and wrote a colorful, easy-to-understand picture book explaining chronic illnesses and how they impact the patient and those around them. She read her book to groups of children, ages 4 to 7. The book is also available online. Her doctors, therapist, and a public library received five physical copies of the book for increased sustainability.
Elizabeth Burney taught children at a summer camp where she works about recycling and how to do it. She taught them a recycling sorting game so they could sort items into bins she provided. By the end of the summer, the children collected 2,100 gallons of recyclables. The recycling bins will stay in the buildings and continue to be used by the camp.
Skylar Campbell increased civic engagement among high school students by educating first-time voters through school presentations, digital outreach, and a voter registration drive. She reached about 90 students and registered eight new voters. She also expanded the impact of her project through a YouTube video and an Instagram account, providing lasting, accessible voting resources for the school.
Taylor Capps partnered with a veterinary clinic to ease the financial burden of pet ownership in her community. They created a selfsustaining blessing box where people can donate or pick up extra pet supplies. Taylor organized a supply drive with her troop. She also designed a flyer about the issue and the blessing box, which the clinic will continue to distribute as they maintain the project.
Mary Marie Carmel focused on teenage girls and their continuing need for physical fitness after they "have aged out" of volunteer sports clubs and physical fitness classes in schools. She partnered with the Fairfield Athletic Club to start a spirited workout class for teens. She spoke with various organizations to raise awareness and created a fitness blog online within her website.
Stacy Chidi and her team worked to spread awareness of the effect of paper decomposition on our environment. She designed a volunteer survey to see how much her audience knew about recycling. Then she and the team created recycling awareness videos, which were shown at her church and led to the start of an ongoing, volunteerrun recycling program at the facility.
Sanjita Chinta promoted physical activity, emotional well-being, and social connection among seniors through adaptive dance workshops. She and her 10 volunteers attracted 10–30 attendees per session and trained staff to sustain the program. Inspired by her love for dance, she described the experience as transformative and plans to pursue health sciences.
Makylah Davis worked closely with Hope’s Path to support youth transitioning out of foster care. She created a website with resources including housing options, gender-specific programs, independent living tools, employment guidance, educational opportunities, and emergency contacts. She transferred administrative access to Hope’s Path staff to ensure the information is updated when needed.
Isabelle DeGrange created Cookies with Grandma, a children’s book that explains Alzheimer’s disease in a warm, accessible way. She worked with 7 volunteers including an illustrator, editor, and publisher. She distributed 76 copies including three school libraries. Her project helps children understand Alzheimer’s with clarity and compassion.
Zoie Duran worked with the principal at Sam Houston Elementary in Houston and some of its teachers to focus on learning strategies for autistic children. Through research, workshops with teachers, and meetings with parents of autistic children, she created a website with useful videos, provided links to helpful websites, and offered tips and tricks for both teachers and parents.
Izza Effendi educated people about how to prevent burn injuries. She read a burn prevention book to about 1,000 children and used games and activities to keep their interest. She sustained her project by leaving these materials with Shalamar Hospital, House of Charity, and Chughtai Public Library. She also created educational posters and a video to watch in the hospital waiting room.
Esraa Elsharkawy raised awareness about food waste after noticing the large amount of consumable food wasted by supermarkets, restaurants, and consumers. Her social media campaign included a website, a YouTube channel, and hosting 14 workshops in various locations.
Rawan Emad partnered with Circle of Champions, local Muslim Student Association clubs, and Muslim professionals to deliver workshops, one-on-one mentoring, and a public speaking symposium. She and her 12 volunteers helped more than 75 students improve their confidence, speech organization, and leadership skills.
Lilith Escobar rebuilt a kiosk and installed rail signage at Lake Creek Preserve to highlight the importance of wetland ecosystems. The project combined hands-on construction, educational infographics, a YouTube video, and a QR code-linked survey. Her project reached 150 students through school presentations. The resources remain maintained by the preserve.
Liliana Evans created a new STEM honor society at her school. She led about 70 volunteers, including officers and competition teams. Her project expanded STEM access at a Title I school, enabling 15 students to compete at the UT Austin Science Olympiad and supporting AMC 12 participation. The club is now permanent and will continue offering STEM opportunities.
Nicole Fahey had a concern for foodinsecure families and collaborated with the Sagemont Food Pantry to help its clients use the staples they receive. She developed a cookbook and how-to videos of each recipe. The cooking videos – in both English and Spanish – are available online. The food pantry staff continues to print copies of the cookbook and to receive positive feedback.
Isabella Fetta designed and led 150 volunteers to build an accessible sensory garden at Terry Hershey Park for individuals with disabilities. The project promotes inclusion and environmental awareness. She created a plant care guide for ongoing use and integrated the garden into park maintenance. Her project combined her interests in accessibility, sustainability, and STEM.
Guinivive Garcia addressed the lack of constructive activities for elementary children to do during transitions. She designed and built a sensory tactile wall to aid in self-regulation and bonding among students. Training for teachers and staff included a guide with blueprints and they held an opening day ceremony to introduce the bilingual wall to the whole school.
Sragvi Gireesh built a disaster preparedness game and led 34+ workshops reaching 784 students across six disaster types. She added Spanish translations, and partnered with Fort Bend County Emergency Management to ensure both accuracy and long-term accessibility through their website. Data showed that 91% of students improved their preparedness knowledge.
Sarah Hanks focused on pediatric brain health and how nutritiondense recipes can increase academic performance. She created and distributed recipe booklets in English and Spanish to more than 280 Houston families. She partnered with Bread of Life, a nonprofit, to reach these families and put the recipe booklets online for others to use.
Kacey Harvin addressed biblical illiteracy among teenagers by removing shame and increasing access to reliable faith-based resources. Partnering with her church, she developed an anonymous question box that allowed teens to submit questions and receive responses via text or email. She expanded the project by creating a website featuring FAQs.
Katherine Haverty encouraged teens to be more physically active by building a Gaga Ball pit. An open house and training session engaged 29 youth leaders and teachers. Observations and surveys showed increased activity, teamwork, and social interaction across age groups over several weeks. The Gaga Ball pit continues to promote active play and community connection at a local church.
Ariahna Haywood addressed litter and microplastic pollution through education, community outreach, and the installation of a permanent trash can at Casa Mare. The project included building the trash can, launching an educational website with a QR code, and delivering seven presentations to 50-plus community members, resulting in increased environmental awareness.
Emily He designed a pollinator passport to teach elementary school students about the importance of pollinators to native Texas plants and to encourage them to use their school’s garden areas. She gave a presentation to the school’s garden club, which introduced them to pollinators, native plant species, and how they are all related.
Nicole Hickey developed and launched a digital educational resource aimed at helping students increase their awareness of autism. She created engaging videos to present the topic in an accessible format. Her school presentations for students and educators promoted a more informed and inclusive perspective of autism and those impacted by it.
Alyssa Hiett promoted rider safety by educating equestrians, trainers, and parents on the importance of wearing properly fitted, certified riding helmets. The project included in-person presentations in Texas and Colorado, a bilingual educational website and video, and brochures. She also donated 12 helmets to Serenity Equine’s therapy program.
Lila Humphrey focused on helping children connect with grandparents who have Alzheimer’s and dementia. She created a memory care cart, which includes music and items (new and vintage) to help stimulate memories. The cart also includes fidget items for kids to play with. Her project encouraged others to create more personal tools for their loved ones.
Olivia Hussain addressed equine safety education through instructional videos about grooming, anatomy, and horse behavior, and are designed to help reduce preventable injuries. SIRE – Therapeutic Horsemanship has added the videos to its website, ensuring ongoing training and longterm community access.
Sadie Jackson created a program with Spring Spirit to help teens gain swim skills and earn lifeguard certifications. Participants learned swimming, CPR, and rescue skills. Over 25 teens attended evaluations, and certified teens secured summer jobs. Sadie supported them with reminders, transportation, and resources. The project will continue through Spring Spirit.
Mysha Jagsi partnered with the Key Club officers at her high school to improve communication and understanding between generations. They organized one to two events each month, including technology lessons, craft sessions, and social activities with senior citizens from Avanti Senior Living. This project has become the Key Club’s permanent service project.
Mithali Kadur promoted better sleep habits among high school students by creating an educational video. She also distributed posters to clinics and schools, and hosted an interactive booth. Pre- and post-questionnaires showed increased knowledge of sleep deprivation and hygiene, and video engagement rose by 50%.
Taylor Kearns focused on improving heart health education among teens and young adults. She designed a website and created a social media campaign. She also held two workshops for 28 people. Her surveys showed that nine participants completed CPR training for the first time. Her website and downloadable resources are available for continued use.
Emma Knight designed and created classroom transformation boxes to help elementary school teachers in engaging their students’ logical and creative sides of their brains to improve learning. The boxes have themes to help teachers improve the students’ learning environment. She gave six boxes to Fox Elementary School and an informative video about her project to five other schools.
Emma Kolah created Art Without Bounds, a website offering resources and guidance for students pursuing careers in the arts. The site includes information on arts-related college paths and professions. Emma also launched an Instagram account featuring professionals in artsadjacent fields and hosted a speaker event with Rice University’s Art and Architecture Librarian.
Maya Kordia designed her project to educate the community about climate change, environmental stewardship, and sustainability through an online workshop, a website, and digital material. The Echo Earth Executive Board will continue leading workshops and coordinating community engagement to establish a lasting foundation for ongoing environmental action.
Germaine Leong aimed to educate her peers on preventing drug overdoses. She partnered with her school’s Red Cross and HOSA clubs to host three interactive student workshops, which included a pledge to raise awareness. Her website, presentation, and pledge materials will continue to be used annually by school clubs to educate future members.
Trinity Leslie addressed the fear and anxiety that children have in health care settings. She designed a medical education simulation at Sonal Bhuchar Elementary School. She led five stations covering vaccines, stethoscopes, reflex testing, otoscopes, and needle fear using age-appropriate, empathy-based teaching. The program boosted the confidence and comfort level of children.
Leanna Lewis led a project to teach hospital visitors, staff, and volunteers how to crochet and understand its benefits. During 14 workshops at two UTMB campuses, participants learned basic crochet skills, completed a project, and explored how crocheting can support mental health, cognitive function, and motor skills. Leanna’s team donated crochet kits to the hospital for ongoing use.
Scotia Linn created eight episodes of "The Un-Tamed City," an environmental podcast targeting teens and young adults. To ensure sustainability, she trained youth co-hosts and secured a commitment from the City of Houston Youth Ambassadors to integrate the podcast's content into their existing platform each season.
Opal Liu developed a visual journal project to support children in expressing their feelings through art and writing. She created lesson plans and hosted workshops at her school. The lessons combined different subjects like visual arts, language arts, and social-emotional learning. She shared the project with other elementary schools in her school district.
Sanjana Mani designed and built a sensory garden at Sugar Land Memorial Park to support individuals with sensory challenges. Featuring plants and sound elements that engage all five senses, the garden offers a calming space. Sanjana also created a website to highlight its benefits and hosted workshops to promote accessibility and awareness.
Claire Mayfield completed her project at Clear Brook High School, partnering PALS and leading six student officers. She created a women’s empowerment club that hosted monthly workshops on financial literacy, car maintenance, selfdefense, stress management, and health. The program engaged more than 50 girls. She also created a kit so other schools can start similar clubs.
Brooke McAughan educated parents on eating disorders through presentations with the Stratford Counseling Department. She reached 203 parents with discussions and Q&A sessions focused on awareness, stigma reduction, and early identification. She also created a resource guide with books, websites, and webinars, now available online and used annually by school clubs.
Kaylee McCauley supported teenage cancer patients by organizing donation drives and fundraising efforts to assemble activity boxes and backpacks filled with engaging supplies. Kaylee led volunteers from multiple school clubs to collect, sort, and pack materials. The project directly benefits at least 27 teen patients.
Addison Mouton created a culturally centered natural haircare education program for African American girls. She delivered three workshops attended by 30 participants. Participants reported increased confidence, stronger cultural awareness, and improved haircare practices. Her project continues through reusable guides and recorded materials shared with schools and community groups.
Indigo Mouton created “Bridging the Divide,” a podcast that shares personal stories from diverse backgrounds, provided a space for genuine connection and understanding, and helped reduce stereotypes through firsthand experiences. The podcast remains publicly available online, extending opportunities for dialogue and connection beyond the project timeline.
Katherine Mozisek worked to increase literacy and create fun learning environments for young children at two elementary schools. More than 200 manipulatives of two distinct types were created and used by 200 students. The designs were posted onto a website where teachers can access materials for free, which allows her project to be used by others to increase literacy.
Prisha Neogi educated communities on how to safely respond to wildlife displaced due to urban development near the Brazos River. She led volunteers, partnered with organizations such as the Houston SPCA, and delivered presentations and workshops to increase awareness of native Texas wildlife and promote responsible coexistence.
Diana Nguyen led two free art and mindfulness workshops at an elementary school, partnering with Hope Stone, Inc., to design lessons that combined journaling, coloring, and time capsule activities with stress-management techniques. She also helped build a dedicated picnic table space for mindfulness and trained teachers to continue using these practices in their classrooms.
Lindsay Nguyen promoted healthy hydration habits among student athletes. She installed refillable water stations and shared hydration reminders. Lindsay also launched health education efforts at her high school and in the athletic community by hosting workshops, creating digital resources, and conducting interviews with coaches and athletes.
Eneh Oche launched a mental health YouTube channel featuring interviews with licensed therapists, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, and teens to make professional mental health support more accessible to teenagers who lacked resources. She promoted the channel at Cypress Woods High School. The channel reached 224 people, with viewers reporting improved awareness of mental health resources.
Gabriela Palmer launched a peer-informed podcast to increase awareness and reduce stigma around teen drug use. It featured interviews with teens and professionals. The podcast was shared with students and educators and remains available on YouTube for ongoing use.
Anushka Pamarty led a project to raise awareness about childhood obesity. She educated children on balanced nutrition and physical activity through interactive presentations, games, posters, and a kidfriendly website. Partnering with local churches, she created an environment that encouraged healthy habits and empowered kids to make informed lifestyle choices.
Arunima Para addressed gaps in support for children with disabilities in Indian schools. She hosted five virtual workshops with support from a licensed psychologist. She shared workshop materials and notes with school leaders and community organizations to extend the project’s reach.
Audrey Plop delivered a STEM camp for Pre-K–fifth graders at the Nehemiah Center. The project provided STEM activities hosted by professionals, and engaged 20 – 70 campers through interactive experiments and lessons. The project created a lasting impact by developing a reusable STEM syllabus shared with multiple schools and organizations.
Olivia Porter tackled arts inequity at Jowell Elementary by leading dance workshops for 50–75 students and distributing bilingual brochures featuring free resources. She ensured sustainability by developing a full dance curriculum, recruiting her 46-member dance team as successors, and securing the brochure's permanent placement on the school website.
Michaela Preiss raised awareness about concussion risks to athletes, coaches, and parents. She created a video featuring interviews with former teammates sharing their experiences. Michaela also distributed informative flyers and posters to soccer organizations, universities, and equipment suppliers.
Celeste Quinones sought to improve sidewalk and crosswalk safety. She hosted interactive workshops at two libraries with 28 children. Parents reported increased awareness of pedestrian safety and reinforcing safe habits at home. Celeste provided bilingual booklets, lesson plans, and staff training so the program can continue serving the community.
Nithalaakshaya Raja created weekly meditation and wellness sessions at a senior living center to address the social and emotional isolation. Resident feedback, staff observations, and steady retention collectively confirmed the program's impact on emotional wellbeing, and by training two younger Girl Scouts to continue leading sessions, she ensured the program's sustainability.
Meredith Reeves set a goal of understanding ADHD and how people who are wired differently cope, excel and succeed in life. She interviewed several people of various ages and an expert diagnostician. Her YouTube video reached over 100 people. Everyone who commented on her survey said they had a better understanding about how people with ADHD adapt.
Olivia Rivas expanded literacy access for people with mental and physical disabilities by bringing books, audiobooks, and hands-on educational activities directly to participants of the Special Friends program. All lesson plans and materials were compiled into a comprehensive binder and transferred to Special Friends staff to continue the program.
Rees Runnels addressed food insecurity caused by local food deserts. She created a centralized nutrition website and built two raised garden beds with more than 10 vegetable varieties for hands-on learning at a preschool. Families gained access to gardening tips, healthy cooking information, and local food resources in Angelina County.
Isabela Setiawan created yoga and craft-music classes for a summer camp at The Westview School, serving children with autism. She led volunteers, taught five craft classes with 10–15 kids each, and seven yoga classes with 7–10 kids. She interviewed teachers, observed progress, and saw volunteers grow in empathy. She left materials and instructions so the classes can continue.
Micaela Scheiwe created 10 sensory boxes and trained Easterseals volunteers to better support autistic children. She spent 89 hours researching, assembling materials, and leading training. Her project helped children engage in activities more comfortably and gave families tools for use at home. Surveys showed 86% of parents found the boxes engaging, and therapists began using them in sessions.
Domenica Sepe addressed the gender gap in STEM by creating a five-class curriculum to teach second and third grade girls about computer hardware, software, and tech careers. She hosted the classes at Duchesne, where they will be repeated each summer. Domenica also built a website with downloadable curriculum and project information to make the resources accessible to all.
Seylah Sims created two drone-aviation workshops at Houston Southwest Airport. She taught six high school girls about drone safety, drone parts, and how to fly a drone. She led four volunteers from Explorer Post 1 and partnered with Bailey Military Institute. Her sustainability plan includes sharing materials, contact lists, and surveys, plus appointing a future workshop lead.
Jyoti Shah addressed the issue of food insecurity and nutrition. She educated 30 people through two presentations and created food pantry ingredient cookbooks in English and Spanish that are available at Restoring Hope food pantry. The recipes were curated with GSSJC volunteer camp cook, Alice Bohlae. Blessings in a Backpack will send cookbooks with the weekend food supplied to students.
Anastasia Shih developed a five-week workshop series to build on essential life skills at Parker Elementary for rising fifth graders. The program covered time management, digital literacy, financial basics, communication and leadership, and mental health. She gave the lesson materials and recordings to the school counselors for continued implementation beyond the project.
Avery Slaydon created training sessions, resources, and a calm-down room where volunteers could feel confident and where children with special needs could feel included in every part of church life. She also hosted workshops with Sunday School teams, created a promotional video, and helped spread awareness throughout her church.
Sloane Smith built two sensory gardens at the Alzheimer’s Association, filled with plants that engage all five senses. The gardens will be used in patient and family activities, with therapists guiding Alzheimer’s patients to explore, care for, and harvest flowers and peppers as part of therapeutic experiences.
Samia Sulaiman created a userfriendly communication board for children with communication disorders featuring symbols, images, and prompts. The communication board was posted at a pediatric clinic park, and she held four workshops to assess effectiveness and introduce it to the community.
Jenna Sultan completed her project in partnership with Amaanah Refugee Services and Lifeblood Foundation. She created a three-episode documentary series featuring interviews with refugee athletes, coaches, and volunteers connected to the Amaanah Lions soccer team. The series was released online increasing awareness and empathy for refugees.
Hannah Sultando focused on teen mental health by creating the Stress Less Club at Clear Lake High School. She organized monthly meetings, mindfulness activities, school events, and a social media platform that reached thousands online. She created a sustainable support system by training student leaders and partnering with the school.
Asiya Sunesara focused on addressing misinformation and social taboos surrounding women’s reproductive health. She led a team who helped her create educational resource kits and hosted presentations and workshops, and launched a website and social media campaign.
Isra Sunesara targeted gaps in financial literacy education among middle and high school students. She developed an online course, a website, and learning resources covering budgeting, saving, credit, debt, and investing. The program continues through the accessible website and shared curriculum resources.
Mia Thompson led 14 volunteers in raising awareness about plastic pollution in South Texas. They organized beach cleanups in Galveston to highlight the issue and created a short film showing the environmental impact of plastic waste. The film was shared online, presented to children, and distributed to her school’s environmental club.
Bailynn Tran partnered with the Living Legacy Center to create a resource center to provide free access to books. They cleared the garden area, planned and built the library and two benches. In addition, she held two workshops to raise awareness about the importance of reading. Trained volunteers will use the tracking system and maintain the library for future readers.
Madeleine Tran led volunteers and partnered with Kids ‘R’ Kids to teach 45 children about oral hygiene. Through presentations, hands-on brushing and flossing demos, and community pamphlets, she helped reduce cavity risk and build lasting daily habits. She created lessons that strengthened early prevention and provided families with long-term resources.
Tejbir Utal expanded access to culturally relevant literature. She created a Sikh children’s lending library stocked with 50 books in English and Punjabi. Two-thirds of the books focus on Sikh values and history. She trained volunteers to manage the checkout system, ensuring sustainability and regular student participation.
Aditi Vadassery turned her passion for public health into a campaign to raise awareness about air pollution and its impact on lung health. She built an website and collaborated with doctors, educators, and student volunteers to create presentations at schools and community centers. Teachers requested her materials for science clubs, and students pledged to take action.
Sofia Vera founded the Gearbox Project to bring accessible STEM resources to young girls. Her nonprofit creates STEM kits that include a storybook and hands-on activity. She has hosted four free day camps, distributing kits to over 75 girls ages 5 – 12. The Gearbox website also features a manual for organizing STEM camps and additional resources.
Estee Villareal created a TikTok-based financial literacy project to reduce overconsumption among teens. She researched 15 educational videos that promoted smarter spending habits. She recruited 16 volunteers from school sports and clubs to support outreach. Her project helps teens rethink “haul culture” and access lasting financial education online.
Ariana Williams created a school clothing closet to support students in need at Tomball High School. The project provides a private way for students to access clothing, shoes, and essentials. Since opening, 83 students have received items. She trained 18 volunteers to sustain operations. The closet is now maintained by student organizations, ensuring continued support for the school community.
Elsie Wire provided resources to help dancers prevent burnout and maintain their passion for dance. She presented her project to a dance class of 15 students. With the help of 10 volunteers, including dance teachers, school counselors, athletes, and professional dancers. Her project impacted 20 people and is expected to benefit more through her YouTube video and shared knowledge.
Iris Yeh created Trash to Art, a project focused on reducing litter by raising environmental awareness. She led 35 volunteers in two park cleanups and turned the collected trash into a large art display viewed daily by 4,000+ students. She also built a public website and added a QR code to extend the project’s reach.
Celebrate your Gold Award
Girl Scout with a gift from a Girl Scout shop.
gssjc.me/47LMBEE
Thank You
Highest Awards Committee
The Highest Awards Committee comprises council-wide volunteers that support girls through the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Award processes by providing trainings, mentorship and feedback. The committee also promotes the incredible benefits of the Highest Awards program to the Girl Scout community and beyond.
Gold Award Steering Committee
Thea Fabio
Bonnie Homier
Janet Jaime
Gold Award Mentors
Erin Abbey
Erin Bunch
Linda Carrington
Ashley Crouch
Devna Dayal
Amy Earle
Helene Gallaway
Joni Ganguzza
Jessica Heppard
Bonnie Homier
Janet Jaime
Denise Jog
Margaret Lincoln
Amanda Lohec
Hillary Mihle
Shauna Noonan
Michelle Phillips
Hattie Saulsberry
Tracy Simmons
Katie Spicer
Sheree Stubblefield
Gold Award Review Board
Stephanie Bejune
Petrina Brown
Thea Fabio
Corrie Jenkins
Sharon Jones
Novella McGinnis
Cindy Miller
Janine Shipman
Brenda Williams
Gold Award Members-at-Large
Magna Cayll
Renota Shepherd
Zahra Sulemanji
Silver Award Committee
Magna Cayll
Debbie Morrow
Janine Shipman
Gail Tompkins
Darlene Wafer
Highest Awards
Advocate Team
Magna Cayll
Jeanne Chucle
Amy Earle
Joni Ganguzza
Leslie Haydel
Debbie Morrow
Shauna Noonan
Natasha Noor
Patricia Redding
Crystal Reeves
Lisa Sawka
Janine Shipman
Gulnar Surveyor
Janet Wolf
Highest Awards Specialist Team
Ayesha Baloch
Ava Black
Shantell Brown
Megan Carson
Magna Cayll
Brianna Colvin
Devna Dayal
Devyani Dayal
Adoriam Dewalt
Ariel Dewalt
All Saints Anglican Church
Alzheimer’s Association
Amaanah Refugee Services
Attack Poverty
Avanti Senior Living
Bellaire High School
Bellaire High School Tea Society
Bellaire High School’s Art History Club
Black excellence
Bread Life Inc.
Brookdale First Colony Senior Living
Brookdale, The Heights
Circle of Champions
Citizen’s Environmental Coalition
Clear Brook PALS
Clear Lake High School
Clinica Hispana Urgent Care, A&U Family Medicine, Hospitality Urgent Care
Clothed By Faith
Cypress Counseling & Wellness
Design Essentials
Dickerson Pediatrics
Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart
Easterseals
Elkins Exchange Leadership Clubs
Endtime Revival Church
Fairfield Athletic Center
First Christian Church Lufkin
Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management
Fort Bend County Parks
Department
Fort Bend ISD
Fox Elementary
Friendswood Parks and Recreation
Golfcrest Elementary
Groves Veterinary Clinic
Harris County Precinct 4
Hope Lutheran Church
Hope Stone Inc.
Hope’s Path
HOSA
House of Charity
Houston Cares Animal Rescue
Houston Public Library
Houston SPCA
Jowell Elementary
Kadds Wellness Mental Health Services
Katy ISD Kids R Kids
Kolter Elementary School
Lake Creek Academy, Casa Mare
Lake Creek Preserve
Lakewood Methodist Church
LPC, LMFT
MacPhee School of Dance
MD Anderson
National Elementary Honor Society-Sonal Bhuchar
Elementary
Nature Discovery Center
Nehemiah Center
Parker Elementary School
Pasadena Public Library
Pearadox
Pediatric Therapy Solutions
Ping Holdings
Punjabi School of GSSWH
Restoring Hope Food Pantry
Royalwood Church
Sagemont Food Pantry
Sam Houston Elementry
Second Servings of Houston
Serenity Equine
SIRE
Amy Earle
Esha Garg
Vaishnavi Girish
Arnaz Irani
Jalynn Justice
Margaret Lincoln
Kavya Malgi
Jada Pierre
Tatiana Rachuk
Riley Rexford
Ariah Richards
Maleeha Rizvi
Vivienne Roselius
Anisha Sakhare
Carrie Schoech
Janavi Seshradri
Claire Shenoi
Janine Shipman
Sophie Snapp
Meagan Spates
Saje Winder
Irene Zheng
Special Friends
Spectrum of Hope
Spring Ismaili Jamatkhana
Education Program
Spring Spirit
St. Catherine’s Montessori
St. Martin’s Episcopal Church
Stratford High School
Counseling Department
Sugar Land Parks and Recreation
Teens4Environement
Temple Beth Torah
The Grand Senior Living
The Living Legacy Center
The Westview School
The WIDE School
The Woodlands Township & Sally K. Ride Elementary
Tomball High School
Tomball Memorial Athletic Training
Top Teens of America
University of Texas Medical Branch
Westchester Academy for International Studies
Woodlands Kiwanis