Emily Vandersand from Highland Designated a Gold Award Girl Scout.
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois congratulates Emily Vandersand from Highland, Illinois for becoming a Gold Award Girl Scout—a designation she earned by providing resources to students with special needs.
For her Gold Award project, Emily worked to enhance inclusiveness for students with special needs. She wanted to create an outlet for the students to soothe themselves in the classroom so that they could remain engaged with their classes. Knowing she wanted to incorporate upcycling into her project, Emily started her research and discovered how to create helpful fidget tools out of cloth bands that were made from used t-shirts. The bands allow students to exercise their motor skills in a way that helps them release energy and focus without creating any distractions for others. She began collecting shirts and then cut them into strips, attached the ends together, braided them, and sewed them together in a circle. Emily’s Busy Bands were a big hit! “I was happy about how excited the students were about the Busy Bands; they all wanted to pick their favorite color,” Emily stated.
In addition to creating the Busy Bands, Emily held a presentation for younger Girl Scouts and students to bring awareness about autism, ADHD, ADD and bullying. She hopes her presentation will help make a difference. “When doing the research for my presentation, I learned of the high statistics of students with special needs being bullied. I was saddened by this. Hopefully the students I spoke to will stop this cycle,” said Emily.
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.
Emily is the daughter of John and Laura Vandersand. She is currently attending Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, majoring in Elementary Education. Emily is a Trifecta Girl Scout who has earned the Girl Scout Bronze Award, Girl Scout Silver Award, and Girl Scout Gold Award.
April 25, 2023
