Callysta Borders from Anna Designated a Gold Award Girl Scout
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois congratulates Callysta Borders from Anna, Illinois for becoming a Gold Award Girl Scout—a designation she earned by restoring a local cemetery.
While working on her Silver Award project, Callysta learned that many cemeteries have deteriorated due to neglect. Then, her dad let her know that there is a cemetery at the former site of Anna State Hospital, which is currently Choate Mental Health and Development Center. Using the knowledge she gained during her Silver Award project, Callysta visited the cemetery to examine its condition. She discovered that many of the headstones could not be read, and she noticed the cemetery lacked a seating area for visitors.
Callysta developed a plan to vastly improve the cemetery. First, she gathered a group of volunteers who cleaned up the headstones, digging them out of the dirt and using the appropriate cleaners to make the stones legible. She also worked on constructing a gazebo so that visitors had a comfortable, shaded area while visiting the cemetery. In addition, she worked with a local Girl Scout troop to educate them on the importance of mental health.
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.
Not only do Gold Award Girl Scouts better their communities through their projects, they often grow themselves through the process and learn skills they can take with them throughout their lives. “I learned how to rely on my community, and that if I unite people in a common goal, I will have support to make gigantic changes,” said Callysta.
Callysta is the daughter of Celeste and Ricky Borders. She is a freshman at University of Alabama in Huntsville, where she majors in Computer Engineering. Callysta is a Trifecta Girl Scout who has earned the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards.
April 22, 2025
