In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Montserrat Hidalgo, a recent high school graduate and environmental justice advocate. Montserrat shares her journey from Girl Scout Gold Award recipient to an emerging leader in her community. Learn how her project tackled urban heating and environmental racism in South East Los Angeles, the collaborative research that fueled her work, and the global connections she forged.

About Our Guest: Montserrat Hidalgo is a recent graduate of South Gate High School and will be attending Williams College in the fall to double major in Environmental Studies and Biology. She has been a Girl Scout from 5th grade through 12th grade and completed her Gold Award by addressing urban heating and environmental racism in South East Los Angeles.

As a passionate environmental justice advocate, Montserrat founded Youth Action!, an environmental justice club at her high school. She also collaborated with Communities for a Better Environment (cbecal.org), a statewide environmental justice organization, to conduct NASA-funded research with UC Irvine and Chapman University on hot spots, air quality, and green spaces in South East LA. This groundbreaking work not only laid the foundation for her Gold Award project but also connected her with a global network of changemakers.

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

• The Inspiration: How Montserrat's experiences in South East LA motivated her to tackle environmental justice issues.

• The Gold Award Project: The impact of her work addressing urban heating and environmental racism and how it serves as a model for others.

• Youth Leadership: How she founded Youth Action! and collaborated with key organizations to make a difference.

• Actionable Advice: Tips for youth and community members looking to create meaningful environmental change.

Links and Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

• Communities for a Better Environment: cbecal.org

• Learn more about the Girl Scout Gold Award: girlscouts.org/en/our-program/highest-awards/gold-award.html

• For more information about NASA-funded research: nasa.gov

This bonus episode has Isabel popping in to share her experience from her trip to the Sangam World Center in India.

Full transcription available at http://heartsofgoldpodcast.com/

Today, we’re thrilled to have Pepper join us to share her inspiring journey as a young aviator and her impactful Girl Scout Gold Award project. From her first flight at just 10 years old to becoming a certified pilot, Pepper has navigated the skies and shattered stereotypes in a male-dominated field. She passionately discusses her mission to introduce aviation to young women in her community through a series of engaging workshops, where she taught the fundamentals of flight and even organized a thrilling "fly day" for eager participants.

But that’s not all! Pepper also dives into the challenges she faced, from balancing her rigorous training with high school life to advocating for the reinstatement of aviation programs in Girl Scouts. With a wealth of scholarships and support from organizations like the 99s and EAA, she emphasizes the importance of perseverance and community in pursuing one’s dreams. Tune in to hear about her incredible experiences, the lessons learned along the way, and her advice for anyone looking to explore new career paths. Don’t miss this uplifting episode that proves with passion and grit, the sky's the limit!

More About Pepper:

Autumn Pepper Rhodes is a 14 year Girl Scout, starting when she was only a daisy. She quickly got involved in cookie selling, camping, and career exploration within the Scout program. As she became a senior and ambassador, she transitioned into more of a mentor role, frequently volunteering with the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida (GSGCF). Pepper received the incredible opportunity to attend the 2017 G.I.R.L. Convention on the Media Team, as well as complete her Girl Scout Gold Award. Now as an adult member, Pepper is on the GSGCF Gold Award Committee! Outside of scouting, she attend Rice University in Houston, Texas for Mechanical Engineering and Astrophysics. She has a passion for aviation and aerospace, leading her to have earned Private Pilot's License and Instrument Flight Rating. Pepper also loves cycling, hiking, kayaking, and exploring nature with her friends. At Rice, she is on the Eclipse Collegiate Rocketry Team and the Duncan College Bike Team, both of which she found a home. Pepper wants to continue pursuing aviation as a career, eventually acting as a Aerospace or Aviation Design Engineer. Maybe even an astronaut one day!

https://girlswhosoar.com/

https://www.instagram.com/the_dr_pepper/

Key Takeaways from this episode:

1. Empowerment through Aviation: Pepper's Girl Scout Gold Award project focused on introducing young women in her community to aviation. She organized workshops that covered the basics of flight, hands-on activities, and opportunities to meet female pilots, aiming to inspire the next generation of women in aviation.

2. Overcoming Challenges: Throughout her journey, Pepper faced various challenges, including financial barriers and the demands of balancing her aviation training with high school responsibilities. She emphasized the importance of perseverance, time management, and seeking scholarships to support her goals in aviation.

3. Advocacy for Aviation Programs: Pepper actively advocated for the reinstatement of aviation programs within the Girl Scouts of the USA. She engaged with the organization to propose the creation of aviation badges and programming, highlighting the need for more resources and opportunities for young women interested in pursuing careers in aviation.

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Full transcription available at http://heartsofgoldpodcast.com/

Rachel shares her inspiring journey of earning the Girl Scout Gold Award through her project of constructing a trophy case for her high school's JROTC program. She discusses the motivation behind her project, which stemmed from the need to properly showcase the numerous trophies earned by cadets through various activities, including Raiders, drill, and rifle team.

Rachel highlights the importance of community support, detailing how local businesses contributed materials and resources, significantly reducing project costs. She emphasizes the collaborative effort involved, mentioning her team, including the JROTC Booster Club and her project advisor, who provided guidance throughout the process.

The episode also touches on the challenges Rachel faced during installation, particularly in coordinating volunteers and ensuring safety while handling glass materials. She reflects on her favorite memories from the project, including teaching metalworking skills to her peers.

Additionally, Rachel discusses her experiences in Girl Scouts, including a memorable canoe trip in the Boundary Waters and her aspirations to pursue a career in meteorology through ROTC in college. She encourages future Gold Award candidates to utilize available resources and emphasizes the rewarding nature of the Gold Award process.

Listeners will gain insights into the significance of leadership, community involvement, and personal growth through the Gold Award journey.

More from Rachel:

My name is Rachel Devoid, and I am from Florida. I joined Girl Scouts in kindergarten and have remained actively involved ever since. I have gone on countless camping trips with my troop and love the outdoors. Belonging to Girl Scouts has opened opportunities for me, such as traveling to Minnesota in 2022 for a seven-day canoe trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area through Girl Scout Destinations. In my free time, when I'm not camping, I love to stay active through Cross Country and Track and Field, along with participating in JROTC Raiders. After high school, I plan to attend college and get a degree in meteorology.

https://www.instagram.com/rachel.smachel1

Key Takeaways from this episode:

1. Community Involvement and Support: Rachel's Girl Scout Gold Award project, which involved building a trophy case for her high school's JROTC program, was significantly supported by community donations and collaboration. Local businesses contributed materials, and various groups, including the JROTC Booster Club, helped with funding and logistics, highlighting the importance of community engagement in successful projects.

2. Leadership and Teamwork: The project emphasized the development of leadership skills and teamwork. Rachel noted how her experiences in both JROTC and Girl Scouts fostered her leadership abilities, which were crucial during the installation of the trophy case. She learned to coordinate volunteers and manage challenges, reinforcing the value of collaboration in achieving goals.

3. Personal Growth and Future Aspirations: Rachel's involvement in Girl Scouts and JROTC has shaped her future aspirations, including her desire to study meteorology and pursue a career as a military officer. Her experiences have broadened her horizons, particularly in STEM fields, and she encourages others to take advantage of available resources to pursue their Gold Award, emphasizing the rewarding nature of the process.

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Full transcription available at http://heartsofgoldpodcast.com/

Jackie shares her inspiring journey of earning the Girl Scout Gold Award through her project titled "Single-Use Less Plastic." She discusses her advocacy against single-use plastic pollution, highlighting the importance of public policy, education, and art in driving change.

Jackie reflects on how the COVID-19 lockdown prompted her to notice the overwhelming amount of plastic waste generated by her family, leading her to participate in the Plastic Free July challenge. She created an art curriculum inspired by artist Aurora Robson, teaching students to make collages from plastic debris. Jackie also founded her school's environmental club, where she organized assemblies and engaged with local officials to promote legislation against plastic straws.

Throughout the episode, Jackie shares the challenges she faced during the project, including the transition to virtual learning, and the valuable lessons she learned about self-expression and advocacy. She discusses her current endeavors as an art and design major at the University of Michigan, where she has launched her clothing brand, Vinny, which focuses on environmental themes and donates a portion of profits to conservation efforts.

Listeners will gain insights into the Gold Award process, the importance of creating a website for projects, and the impact of Girl Scout experiences on personal growth. Jackie encourages future Gold Award candidates to pursue their passions and reach out to others for support.

More About Jacqueline:

Jacqueline Vinson, 13 year Girl Scout earned her Gold Award through raising awareness of the environmental hazards of single use plastic and how we can take environmental action in our communities. Through her extensive work interviewing New York Council Members and artists, designing a curriculum and petitioning, she received the Girl Scouts of Greater New York Carmen Dubroc Scholarship in 2023. Jackie’s project made a difference in her community by raising awareness of Bill A90A, a law, banning plastic straws in NYC restaurants. She also successfully petitioned to end the use of plastic cutlery and plates in her school cafeteria. As a high school senior, her environmental art won a Scholastic Art and Writing Gold Key for her portfolio, “Single-Use Less Plastics”. She now studies Art and Design at the University of Michigan where she has continued to make environmental art. This summer, She started her own naturalist streetwear company, “VinNy”, selling shirts with her captivating geometric designs of nature and birds. VinNY’s aim is to connect urban life to the natural world, and 10% of the profits go to urban environmental conservation organizations including the NYC Bird Alliance.

https://singleuselessplastic.com

https://www.vinnylabel.com

Key Takeaways from this episode:

• Advocacy against single-use plastics through art and education.

• The importance of community engagement and public policy.

• Personal growth and self-expression through creative projects.

Full transcription available at http://heartsofgoldpodcast.com/ 

Piya's project focused on increasing education and awareness around neurodiversity advocacy, a topic that is close to her heart. She began by founding her school's first neurodiversity affinity group, creating a safe space for neurodivergent youth. Piya shared her journey of developing workshops and assemblies for both her peers and teachers, emphasizing the importance of updated training on neurodiversity. With the support of her school's learning support team and feedback from neurodivergent students, she was able to create impactful presentations and a toolkit to help others start similar initiatives across the country. We discussed the challenges she faced, particularly in implementing neurodiversity training at her school, and how she overcame them through persistence and collaboration with school administration. Piya also reflected on the rewarding moments of her project, especially the positive feedback from students who felt represented and heard. In addition to her work with Girl Scouts, Piya is involved in the Miss America organization, where she continues her advocacy for neurodiversity. She highlighted how her experiences in both organizations have empowered her and provided her with unique opportunities to make a difference in her community. Piya encouraged other Girl Scouts to pursue their Gold Award, sharing how her passion for neurodiversity advocacy developed through her previous awards and experiences. She emphasized the importance of exploring interests and taking advantage of opportunities, as they can lead to impactful projects and personal growth.

More About Piya: Piya Scielzo is an incoming freshman at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Piya has been an active Girl Scout since 1st grade, and is now a lifetime member. She has earned her bronze, silver, and gold awards. To earn her Gold Award, Piya led a small team in several neurodiversity initiatives to raise awareness, promote acceptance, and reduce stigma. She also created and distributed a comprehensive toolkit with resources for students to replicate creating a safe space and hosting educational workshops in their communities across the country. Piya has served on the Girl Advisory Board for the Nation’s Capital for the past three years. Outside of Girl Scouts, Piya is the current Miss Montgomery County’s Teen, under the Miss America Organization. Piya uses her pageant platform, ‘Think Differently’, to share her neurodiversity advocacy with a wider audience.

https://www.instagram.com/missmocosteenmd/

Key Takeaways from this episode:

Neurodiversity Advocacy: Piya's Girl Scout Gold Award project focused on increasing education and awareness about neurodiversity, highlighting the importance of understanding and supporting neurodivergent individuals in educational settings. Community Engagement: Piya successfully engaged with her school's learning support team and neurodivergent students to create effective training workshops for teachers, demonstrating the value of collaboration and feedback in community projects. Empowerment through Leadership: Piya's involvement in both Girl Scouts and the Miss America Organization has allowed her to expand her advocacy work, showing how leadership opportunities can enhance personal growth and community impact.

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Full transcription available at http://heartsofgoldpodcast.com/ 

Mikenna shares how she created a platform to record and share the authentic stories of seniors in her community, which she then uploaded to YouTube and a dedicated website. She also made personalized booklets for each senior interviewed, ensuring they had a tangible copy of their story.

Mikenna's journey began with her long-standing visits to a local nursing home, where she built meaningful relationships with the residents. Her project expanded beyond her initial nursing home to include another facility, capturing a diverse range of stories from a Holocaust survivor to a World War II veteran. Choosing podcasting as her medium, Mikenna found it to be a more comfortable and accessible format for the seniors, many of whom were hesitant about being on video. She emphasized the power of hearing someone's real voice and the deep connection it fosters. Throughout the project, Mikenna faced challenges such as understanding the technical aspects of podcasting and navigating legalities like consent forms. She also had to refine her Gold Award proposal multiple times to meet the requirements, learning valuable lessons about planning and execution. One of the most impactful stories she shared was about a Holocaust survivor, whose son helped recount her incredible acts of bravery and kindness. This experience, along with connecting with a young author who also worked with Holocaust survivors, highlighted the intergenerational impact of her project. Mikenna's dedication to her project didn't end with earning her Gold Award. She continues to interview seniors and has even developed an app concept to further her mission. Her story is a testament to the profound difference one can make through passion and perseverance.

More About Mikenna: Mikenna has been involved in Girl Scouts for 13 years, where she has enjoyed working with her troop and mentoring younger troops by sharing the knowledge she has gained as a Girl Scout. For her Gold Award, she created a podcast series to interview seniors, giving them a platform to share their stories and ensuring they are remembered. Beyond visiting the nursing home that inspired her project, Mikenna enjoys singing, learning sign language, reading, writing stories, and volunteering. Looking ahead, she plans to continue supporting Girl Scouts, likely as a troop leader, while helping others in college and beyond. Even though her Gold Award project has been completed, Mikenna hopes to continue interviewing seniors as part of her ongoing efforts.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIO25jjEvAoq3m26XWHF7JQ

https://sites.google.com/view/silver-stories-40202?usp=sharing

Key Takeaways from this episode:

1. The Importance of Storytelling: Mikenna emphasizes the value of sharing authentic stories from seniors in her community through her Silver Stories podcast. This project not only preserves their voices but also connects different generations, highlighting the significance of understanding and valuing the experiences of older individuals.

2. Challenges and Growth in the Gold Award Process: Mikenna discusses the challenges she faced while navigating the Gold Award process, including the need for clear proposals and understanding the logistics of her project. She learned that thorough planning and adaptability are crucial for success, which ultimately helped her grow and refine her project.

3. Impact Beyond the Award: Mikenna’s experience with the Gold Award has inspired her to continue her project beyond its completion. She has taken her initiative further by designing an app to facilitate the recording of seniors' stories, demonstrating that the Gold Award is not just about earning a badge but about making a lasting impact in the community.

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Full transcription available at http://heartsofgoldpodcast.com/ 

Sammie, a remarkable Girl Scout who shares her journey of earning the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award. Sammie's project, Sammy's Toy Drive, was inspired by the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Initially starting as a simple toy drive, it evolved into a full-fledged nonprofit organization aimed at supporting survivors of gun violence through healing events and community building. Sammie detailed the emotional and logistical challenges she faced, including the initial rejection of her first project proposal and the intense grief associated with her work. Despite these hurdles, her dedication to honoring the 21 victims of the Uvalde shooting kept her motivated. She shared touching stories about the victims and their families, emphasizing the importance of remembering and supporting those affected by gun violence. We also discussed the operational aspects of Sammie's Toy Drive, including how donations are collected and the types of events organized. Sammie highlighted the importance of empathy, patience, and taking breaks to avoid burnout during such emotionally taxing work. In addition to her Gold Award project, Sammie talked about her future plans, including attending trade school to become an esthetician, and her ongoing advocacy work. She also shared her experiences with other Girl Scout awards and her love for Twilight Camp. This episode is a powerful reminder of the impact one individual can have on a community and the importance of supporting survivors of gun violence. Sammie's story is both inspiring and heart-wrenching, showcasing her resilience and dedication to making a difference.

More About Sammie: Sammie has been a member of Girl Scouts since the age of six and is now entering her final year this fall. During her time with Girl Scouts, she served as an OWL at Twilight Camp and earned her Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards. Sammie graduated from high school a year early and will be attending trade school to become an Esthetician this fall. In addition to her studies, she is co-authoring a book with another activist, focusing on the victims of gun violence in schools.

https://www.sammiestoydrive.com/

https://www.instagram.com/sammiestoydrive?igsh=bXVxcDhuaXp6bmF2&utm_source=qr

Key Takeaways from this episode:

1. Community Healing Through Connection: Sammy's project, Sammy's Toy Drive, focuses on providing healing events for communities affected by gun violence, particularly in Uvalde. These events foster connections among families and children, helping them cope with their grief and build friendships.

2. Empathy and Advocacy: Throughout her journey, Sammy emphasizes the importance of empathy when working with families affected by gun violence. She aims to honor the victims by sharing their stories and advocating for awareness around the long-lasting impact of such tragedies on communities.

3. Resilience in Project Development: Sammy faced challenges, including the denial of her initial Gold Award project proposal. However, she demonstrated resilience by pivoting to the toy drive and emphasizing the importance of taking breaks and being patient with oneself during the project development process.

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Amelia developed an app called Historic Lamont, a location-aware walking tour app that highlights the hidden historical gems of her hometown, Lamont, a suburb of Chicago. Inspired by a limited-availability walking tour from the Lamont Historical Society, Amelia wanted to make local history more accessible to everyone in her community. Amelia shared fascinating historical facts she uncovered, such as the local metro station witnessing President Lincoln's funeral train and being a site of the Lamont Massacre. She detailed the technical challenges she faced, including learning a new programming language and navigating Apple's stringent App Store approval process. Despite these hurdles, she successfully launched the app with the help of various community members, including the Lamont Historical Society, her history teacher, and students from her school's Historical Honor Society and Art Honor Society. Amelia also discussed the extensive community involvement in her project, estimating that over 1,000 hours were collectively invested. She emphasized the importance of starting early and being thorough in the Gold Award application process. Amelia's project not only made local history more accessible but also significantly boosted her confidence and skills, from writing professional emails to public speaking. Looking ahead, Amelia plans to attend the University of Chicago, majoring in computer science and possibly history or economics. She has already dabbled in AI and machine learning and hopes to integrate these fields with her historical interests. Amelia's story is a testament to the transformative power of the Girl Scout Gold Award, and she encourages other Girl Scouts to pursue their projects with dedication and passion.

More About Amelia: Amelia Dunkin is a recent graduate of Lemont High School. She has been a dedicated member of the Girl Scouts for 12 years, progressing from Daisy to Ambassador. Throughout her involvement, she both attended and served as a counselor at her local Girl Scout summer camp. Amelia's Girl Scout journey culminated in earning her Gold Award through the development of an app called *Historic Lemont*, a location-aware iOS app designed to highlight the rich but often overlooked history of her town.

In addition to her work with the Girl Scouts, Amelia was actively involved in various academic and extracurricular activities throughout high school. She participated in several honor societies, co-captained the Mathletes team, and played varsity on the Scholastic Bowl, Academic Challenge, and Bowling teams. She also volunteered with Special Olympics and the Northern Will County Special Recreation Association, where she is now employed.

This fall, Amelia will attend the University of Chicago, where she plans to major in Computer Science and History. She aims to pursue interdisciplinary studies, particularly in the field of machine learning.

Key Takeaways from this episode:

1. Community Involvement: Amelia's Girl Scout Gold Award project, the Historic Lamont app, was supported by various community members and organizations, including the Lamont Historical Society, local history teachers, and student groups, highlighting the importance of collaboration in community projects.
2. Learning and Growth: The process of creating the app taught Amelia valuable skills, including coding in a new programming language and navigating the app submission process, which contributed to her personal development and confidence.
3. Encouragement for Future Girl Scouts: Amelia emphasizes the transformative experience of pursuing the Gold Award, encouraging others to take on the challenge as it can significantly enhance their skills, self-perception, and community engagement.

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Camilla's project aims to build more united communities by educating people about different Asian cultures through workshops, YouTube vlogs, and a beautifully illustrated book. Camilla shared that her project was prompted by the rise in Asian hate crimes during the pandemic, which motivated her to use education as a tool to foster understanding and empathy. She detailed the three components of her project: interactive workshops at YMCA branches, vlogs exploring various Asian communities in Los Angeles, and her book, which she successfully fundraised $6,000 to publish and distribute. We discussed the challenges she faced, particularly in fundraising and public speaking, and how she overcame them by leveraging her network and stepping out of her comfort zone. Camilla also highlighted the importance of persistence and creating opportunities for oneself. One of the most heartwarming moments she shared was a memory from a school presentation where a young boy excitedly talked about his love for pho, showcasing the impact her project had on children. Camilla's story is a testament to the power of passion and dedication in making a positive impact on the community. 

More About Camilla: Camilla Chan is an Asian American who has been in Girl Scouts for 13 years. Her favorite Girl Scout activities are those associated with the outdoors: hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, etc. Outside of Girl Scouts, Camilla enjoys playing the violin, playing table tennis and pickleball, and drawing. For her Gold Award project, Camilla hosted workshops, vlogged local Asian communities, and wrote a children’s book in order to educate others about Asian cultures and build more united communities. She aims to publish a second children’s book that follows a similar theme. As a prospective computer engineering major at UCLA, she hopes to protect individuals from cyber attacks and contribute to a world with safe AI regulations. Whether it is through Girl Scouts or college, Camilla aims to hold true to the Girl Scout motto “Make the World a Better Place.”

Website: hiddenjewelsofasia.com Instagram: @hiddenjewelsofasia Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@chicken6215

Key Takeaways from this episode:

1. Camilla's Girl Scout Gold Award project, "Hidden Jewels of Asia," aimed to build more united communities through workshops, YouTube vlogs, and a published book.
2. Camilla overcame challenges with funding and public speaking by finding passion in working with children and seeking support from her team, including her parents, teachers, friends, and community partners.
3. Camilla's project had a global reach, with viewers from 21 states and 14 countries visiting her website, showcasing the impact and reach of her project.

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