Layla King discusses her impactful Girl Scout Gold Award project to restore Lincoln Cemetery, a historically Black cemetery in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Partnering with the organization Saving Our Ancestors Legacy (SOAL), Layla took a hands-on approach to preservation, learning to clean and level headstones using specialized solutions to ensure the names of those buried there remain visible to future generations. Beyond the physical labor, Layla utilized her leadership role in SkillsUSA to launch a school-wide awareness campaign and donor drive, successfully bridging the gap between spreading a message and inspiring community action. Her project not only honored local history but also paved the way for her current success as a computer science major at Howard University and the founder of her own web design business.

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I'm Layla King, a freshman Computer Science major attending Howard University. I've been involved in Girl Scouts since I was little (about 2013), starting as a Daisy and working my way up, then finishing as a Juliette to earn my Gold Award in 2025. Outside of Girl Scouts, I own a web design business called A Young Mindset, where my long-term goal is to build an agency that values more than profit. I want to invest in community service projects and provide unemployed people with the opportunity to learn web design through a training program and eventually work at my company. I want my business to be a tool for lifting others up. In college, I'm involved in Howard's Inaugural DECA Cohort, the College of Engineering & Architecture Council as an Advocacy & Inclusion Intern, and the National Society of Black Engineers. In high school, I played soccer and ran track, participated in FBLA (won 1st in PA for website design and 10th nationally), SkillsUSA as Vice President (placed 3rd in PA for web development and design), the National Honor Society as Co-President, the National Technical Honor Society, and Four Diamonds. Lastly, I became an Amazon Future Engineer Scholar.

Personal Portfolio Website: laylaking.com/

Business Website: ayoungmindset.com/

Instagram: @lay.kin9

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/layla-king/

Lincoln Cemetery SOAL Website: lincolncemetery.org/

Full transcript available on SubStack: https://substack.com/@sherylmrobinson

Loren Elle shares her Girl Scout Gold Award project, which focused on creating a peer group for adopted preteens and teens. Loren Elle discusses how her personal experience with adoption motivated her to provide a supportive space for others with similar backgrounds.

Through her project, Loren Elle not only made a significant impact in her community but also gained acceptance to The Ohio State University, where she is pursuing her passion for fashion and retail studies. Join us as we explore the challenges she faced, the support she received, and the valuable lessons learned along the way.

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My name is Loren Elle Ross, and I'm a freshman at The Ohio State University majoring in Fashion and Retail Studies with a minor in Communication and a certificate in Sports Communication. I'm also part of the Business Scholars Program, where I get to grow as a business-oriented leader and connect with peers who share similar goals. Before college, I was very involved in Girl Scouts, for 12 years, earning my Gold Award through a project that challenged me to lead, serve, and create lasting impact. I also balanced academics, National Honor Society, volleyball, fashion interests, and a part-time job, which taught me resilience, teamwork, and time management. At Ohio State, I'm excited to explore the intersection of fashion, branding, and consumer experience, with a special interest in sports merchandising and athlete styling. My future plans include building a portfolio that combines design, communication, and storytelling to prepare for a career as a creative leader in the fashion and retail industry.

Full transcript available on SubStack: https://substack.com/@sherylmrobinson

Andrea shares her inspiring journey as a Girl Scout working on her Gold Award project focused on advocating for animal welfare, specifically for dogs in Florida. With the state ranking fourth in county shelter deaths due to overcrowding, Andrea discusses the critical issues surrounding impulsive pet ownership and the lack of spaying and neutering. To combat this, she created a comprehensive pet owner's guide in collaboration with her school, offering resources, tips, and tricks for the community to help reduce shelter overcrowding. Andrea also reflects on her lifelong passion for animals, influenced by her family's experiences with pets and the pressing need for support in animal shelters. She highlights her partnership with Howling Hounds Sanctuary Rescue, a local organization dedicated to housing dogs in a nurturing environment. Tune in to learn more about Andrea's impactful project and how you can contribute to animal welfare in your community.

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I am an Ambassador in Girl Scouts with a strong passion for leadership, service, and creativity. Over the years, Girl Scouts has given me incredible opportunities to grow, travel, and discover what inspires me. Last summer, I traveled to New York City on a Broadway-focused Girl Scout Destination, where I had the chance to see four amazing shows and fall even more in love with theater. Experiences like that have shaped who I am and what I hope to do next. This spring break, I plan to tour colleges across Florida because I hope to stay close to home for my next chapter. I'm excited to explore different campuses and find the right fit for my future. Next year, as a senior, my troop and I will be celebrating our high school graduation with a cruise—something we've looked forward to for years. Outside of Girl Scouts, I hope to spend this summer auditioning for local theater productions and getting back on stage. Performing is something I truly miss, and I'm ready to keep practicing, growing, and stepping into new opportunities.

https://petprojectgs.wixsite.com/2manypawnotenoughome

https://www.facebook.com/groups/700149011903399

https://www.instagram.com/gs.pet_project/

Full transcript: https://substack.com/home/post/p-182329540

Episode Description:

Raina shares her impactful Girl Scout Gold Award project, which focuses on wildlife conservation and reducing roadkill. She discusses her volunteer work at the Red River National Wildlife Refuge, where she noticed a significant amount of roadkill due to its proximity to a highway. To address this issue, Raina created informative wooden signs urging drivers to "Slow for Animals," along with a poster board that educates visitors about local wildlife and road safety. Additionally, she developed pamphlets detailing animal behaviors and a Facebook page to spread awareness beyond Louisiana. Raina also talks about her beautiful graphics, which she designed herself, and how she transformed her artwork into stickers for fundraising, combining her passion for drawing with her conservation efforts.

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Hello! My name is Raina, and I'm a Girl Scout Ambassador. I've been a Girl Scout my entire life and have been part of five different troops, one for each place I've moved to. I've lived in Louisiana, Hawaii, Florida, Germany, and now New Hampshire. Something I hope to do in the future is visit all five of the Girl Scout world centers and collect the special pin from each. I have visited two so far, Our Chalet in Switzerland and the Pax Lodge in England! Some of my hobbies include drawing, writing and cosplay. I also like collecting things like rocks, bones, and shiny trinkets.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576728444244

Diagnosed with autism at a young age, Lia discusses her passion for promoting neurodivergence awareness and the need for sensory-friendly spaces. She created 20 fidget bins, filled with calming tools like calming strips, water timers, and Pop-Its, which she distributed to libraries, schools, and after-school programs. Lia highlights her vision of helping others understand the experiences of neurodivergent individuals and the importance of creating inclusive environments. Tune in to learn about her impactful work and the significance of supporting neurodivergent communities.

More about Lia:

Lia created Sensory Friendly Futures for her Gold Award project to promote neurodivergence awareness, inclusion, and acceptance within her community. She designed and created fidget bins for neurodivergent individuals and placed them in her local libraries, schools and after school programs to create welcoming and calming spaces for self-regulation. In addition, Lia developed educational materials to teach the community about sensory needs, stimming, and the importance of creating supportive environments for all. Her goal was to make public spaces more inclusive and to inspire others to embrace neurodiversity with understanding and compassion. Through Sensory Friendly Futures, Lia hopes to create a world where everyone feels safe, seen, and valued for who they are. Her project can also be found on her Instagram: @sensoryfriendlyfutures and website. After High School, Lia plans to get a B.S in Legal Studies & go to Law School!

sites.google.com/view/sensoryfriendlyfutures

instagram.com/sensoryfriendlyfutures/

Anita's project was planting 20 trees along the riverfront in her hometown of Yorkville, Illinois. She discusses the importance of biodiversity, particularly in riverfront areas, and the challenges posed by soil erosion and fluctuating water levels. Anita explains her research process to select tree species that would thrive in these conditions and her motivation to enhance the local environment. She also emphasizes the role of community involvement in the project, encouraging residents to connect with nature and enjoy their parks. Tune in to learn about her journey, the challenges she faced, and the positive changes her project aims to bring to her community.

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I have dedicated the past 13 years to being a Girl Scout, and it has been an incredible journey filled with memorable experiences. I graduated from Yorkville High School in 2025, where I actively participated in cross country, competitive dance, and track and field on varsity for all sports all 4 years. Now, I am excited to continue my educational journey at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where I will be studying mathematics for education. Additionally, I am thrilled to continue my passion for running as a member of the Cross Country and Track team. I intend on becoming a High School math teacher and would love to coach a team some day.

Episode Description:

Gabby shares her mission to support community cats in Gainesville by aiding the local trap-neuter-release operation, Operation Catnip. She highlights her efforts in building cat houses and raising awareness about the mental health benefits these community cats provide to university students, particularly at the University of Florida. Gabby explains the concept of community cats, differentiating them from feral cats, and emphasizes the positive environmental role they play. Tune in to learn more about Gabby's inspiring project The Purrr-fect Home and the importance of caring for community cats!

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Gabrielle Ontiveros, also known as Gabby, is a sophomore at the University of Florida and a Girl Scout Alumna! She was in Girl Scouts for 10 years and officially earned her Gold Award in October of 2024 from the Gateway Council. Her Gold Award project, titled "The Purrrfect Home," targeted community cats and students in the Gainesville area. At the University of Florida she majors in Psychology (Behavioral Analysis) and minors in Media Management, Production, and Technology; outside of her classes she is involved in the UF Psychology Club, Women's Student Association, the McNair Scholars Program, and UF HOSA ,competing and placing internationally and serving as PR Director this upcoming year. Her future plans are to attend graduate school to earn a PhD. in Psychology to pursue research and teaching! Her hobbies including painting, reading, gaming, and going on adventures with her friends!

linktr.ee/ThePurrrfectHome?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwL1-sFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp7uRiQvacGOKfVgXKHTiDp7T0NtqowkS8lRX_QV4rW_z8NRcheUPD5gUOdkY_aem_2PSYNJPBXeeqTXiwJnJozQ

Annie discusses her impactful Girl Scout Gold Award project, "South Florida Pet Safety." She highlights the alarming statistic that up to 30% of animal deaths are preventable and shares her mission to educate pet owners in her transient community about unique local dangers. Annie details her creation of a pet safety book tailored specifically for South Florida, covering crucial topics such as heat dangers, wildlife hazards, poisonous plants, and preparedness for natural disasters like hurricanes. She also shares insights on how she funded the project through community sponsorships, emphasizing the importance of spreading awareness and knowledge to keep pets safe. Tune in to learn more about Annie's inspiring work and the vital lesson of pet safety in a unique environment.

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Anneliese Hsiao has been "making the world a better place" as a Girl Scout since age 5. She's currently a high school senior on scholarship in the pre-medical and science research programs at American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida, where she has competed at regional, state, and international events with Science Olympiad, FJAS, and HOSA, achieving "national finalist" status in both science fair and HOSA Veterinary Medicine events. In addition to volunteering in the Humane Society of Broward County's surgical clinic, Anneliese's passion to become a veterinarian led her to found a Pre-Veterinary Club at her school. Other leadership positions have included President of her Girl Scout troop, Miracle Network Dance Marathon Club, NJHS, and NEHS. Anneliese holds seven consecutive Gold President's Volunteer Service Awards for her community service efforts (1000+ hours). In her free time, she studies dance, violin, and piano, for which she has won multiple awards at the state level. Anneliese's Girl Scout Gold Award project, which advocates for pet safety in South Florida, has led to her being named Scout of the Year for South Florida and the recipient of GSSEF's "Service From the Heart" scholarship in 2025, and was also featured on local tv news.

https://www.instagram.com/petsafety.southfl/profilecard/?igsh=MWY5NnFsdXQ0cGpjYg%3D%3D