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.

More from Anita:

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!

More about Gabby:

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.

More about Annie:

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

Aanya discusses her project, "Sharing the Joys of Cultural Diversity," which focused on fostering understanding and appreciation of cultural differences among children in her community. Aanya highlights two key components of her project: facilitating discussions about cultural identity in local schools and creating a children's book that details her own experiences as an immigrant from India. She reflects on her personal struggles with cultural acceptance and the importance of embracing one's identity. Join us as Aanya shares her insights and the impact of her work in promoting cultural diversity.

More about Aanya:

Aanya is a sophomore at Princeton University studying Molecular Biology on the pre medicine track. For her Gold Award, Aanya created a cultural education and appreciation initiative in her community to encourage children to develop their global literacy and spark their love for diversity. Aanya published a children's book, Samosas with Saanvi, to share how she grew to love her cultural identity, capture the joys of cultural diversity, and portray the emotional journey behind acceptance. The mission of her project was to bridge the cultural literacy gap she noticed in her community, allow children to discover their own cultural identities, and foster meaningful community connections. At Princeton, Aanya is involved in The Daily Princetonian Podcast and STEM Research Journalism teams, the Undergraduate Student Government Mental Health and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committees, and the Council on Science & Technology Student Advisory Board. She is very interested in scientific and medical research, working with the IMDEA Materials Institute to learn more about biomaterials and regenerative medicine, as well as Fundação Oswaldo Cruz in virology and immunology. She loves to continue sharing her book and cultural story with family, friends, and community members. In her freetime, you may find her reading the newest fantasy or mystery novel, singing karaoke with her little sister, or playing with her shih tzu poodle Daisy.

https://www.amazon.com/Samosas-Saanvi-Aanya-Kasera/dp/B0CCCKNZW3

Shay shares insights into her impactful Gold Award project, an art exhibition held at the Overture Center for the Arts. The exhibit aimed to raise awareness about mental health among teenage girls in a positive light, showcasing the strength and creativity of young women artists from the Madison and Dane County area. Shay discusses her motivation to present mental health discussions more positively and highlights the submission process that led to the selection of 16 unique artists. The episode also touches on the themes explored in the artwork, including culture and sexual identity, and the positive impact the exhibition had on attendees. Tune in to learn more about this inspiring initiative and the power of art in addressing important social issues.

About Our Guest:
I have been a proud Girl Scout for eleven years, having begun my journey as a first grade Daisy in Troop 2303. I grew up in Middleton and am currently a junior at Middleton High School. I have always been an artist with a deep love for creativity and storytelling. I enjoy drawing, reading, writing, and travel. My recent trips include visits to Barcelona and Paris, where I especially enjoyed visiting the museums and historical sites. I am hoping to pursue a career in visual arts and am currently in the process of applying to college.

@herartexhibit on Instagram

www.herartexhibit.org

Her Art Exhibit catalogue on Amazon

Marley shares her inspiring journey of curating and developing a children's art gallery in partnership with the Southwest Art Gallery and Science Center. At just 16 years old, Marley embarked on this project to provide art-related opportunities for kids in her community in North Dakota, where such resources were scarce. She discusses her passion for art as a self-taught artist, the need she identified in her community, and how her collaboration with the Southwest Art Gallery, which shares her mission, facilitated the creation of this new space. Marley reflects on her experience as a volunteer and the process of curating the first exhibit, highlighting the importance of fostering creativity among youth. Tune in to learn how one young artist is making a difference in her community through art!

About Our Guest:
My name is Marly Barnett, I am a 17-year-old Girl Scout from Troop 85112 and I live in the SW region of North Dakota. My Gold Award project, titled "SW Art Gallery and Science Center's Children's Gallery", was to develop a children's art gallery for grades K-12 within the physical building of the SW Art Gallery and Science Center. I started this project at age 16 in April 2024, and as a result, I have advanced from a volunteer position to a paid role as Student Director of the SW Art Gallery and Science Center's Children's Gallery in October. Most recently I added Social Media Coordinator to my responsibilities. The reason I chose this as my Gold Award project was for two reasons, one to play a more active role in my community and two, as a self-taught artist, to make the arts more accessible for young artists in Region 8 of North Dakota.

Imagine a world where friendships are built one letter at a time. That's exactly what Hannah Crawley created with her Girl Scout Gold Award project—a nationwide pen pal program connecting Girl Scouts across the U.S. and even Japan. At a time when social media dominated communication, Hannah brought back the magic of handwritten letters, fostering deeper connections and lifelong friendships.

Now serving in the military, Hannah reflects on how this project not only strengthened her communication skills but also prepared her for a future where letters remain a vital link. She shares the challenges of organizing the program, the excitement of receiving international candy swaps, and why she spent hours hand-drawing animals for each participant. Plus, we dive into her Girl Scout camp adventures, spooky camp counselor stories, and her favorite way to make s'mores.

📢 Key Takeaways:

• The power of handwritten letters in a digital world.
• How a Gold Award project can have lasting personal and global impact.
• Lessons from military life and the transition from Girl Scouts to service.
• Advice for future Gold Award Girl Scouts on planning ahead.
• A behind-the-scenes look at camp counseling, storytelling, and late-night porcupine encounters.

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