Gabrielle McQuay from Medora Designated a Gold Award Girl Scout
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois congratulates Gabrielle McQuay from Medora, Illinois for becoming a Gold Award Girl Scout—a designation she earned by creating a reading garden in memory of her late teacher.
When Gabrielle was in third grade, her teacher Lori Schultz had a vision of creating a reading garden in front of Medora Intermediate School. Schultz began working with the student government to raise funds for the garden. The following year, Schultz was diagnosed with brain cancer and passed away. A few years later, the project was about to take shape as a foundation was laid for the reading garden. When no further movement happened with the garden, Gabrielle stepped in and completed the project in honor of her teacher.
Gabrielle got to work. She enlisted some help and built a gazebo to provide a nice, shaded area for the reading garden. She built a commercial picnic table that is sure to last for years to come. To ensure her teacher’s vision is remembered well into the future, Gabrielle crafted a sign to name the garden in Schultz’s honor.
“Through my Girl Scout Gold Award Project, I learned to never give up on my dreams,” said Gabrielle. “Even if things get tough and you hit road blocks, you can – and should – push through.”
As they take action to transform their world, Gold Award Girl Scouts gain tangible skills and prove they are the leaders our community and world need. The Gold Award is earned by girls in grades 9–12 who demonstrate extraordinary leadership in developing sustainable solutions to local, national and global challenges. Since the highest award was established in 1916, Girl Scouts have answered the call to drive lasting, impactful change. The Gold Award is the mark of the truly remarkable.
Gabrielle is the daughter of David and Tasha McQuay. She recently graduated from Southwestern High School and is attending Lewis and Clark Community College where she is studying Art. Gabrielle is a Trifecta Girl Scout who has earned the Girl Scout Bronze Award, Girl Scout Silver Award, and Girl Scout Gold Award.
October 12, 2023
