Go to Gold Award, 2025

Emily Geisen from Troy Designated a Gold Award Girl Scout

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois congratulates Emily Geisen from Troy, Illinois for becoming a Gold Award Girl Scout—a designation she earned by making it easier for her community to reduce food insecurity.

Emily knew that food insecurity is a growing issue in her community and beyond. So, she looked for a way to create tangible change. Her local food pantry, Ministries Unlimited, has not had enough volunteers to operate the facility during extended hours. Well-meaning community members had been leaving donations outside of the pantry, which were ruined by weather or animals sometimes. To help protect these resources, she decided to install an after-hours drop box. She led the construction of a secure, portable storage container for the pantry to use.

Emily also led an awareness campaign to help her community know the new drop box made donating food easier than ever. She created advertising and trained others in how to lead food drives. Her efforts have already encouraged a 20% increase in donations.

Gold Award Girl Scouts become innovative problem-solvers, empathetic leaders, confident public speakers, and focused project managers. They learn resourcefulness, tenacity, and decision-making skills, giving them an edge personally and professionally. As they take action to transform their communities, Gold Award Girl Scouts gain tangible skills and prove they’re the leaders our world needs.

“I learned the power of a small act and how it can impact in a big way,” said Emily, reflecting on her Gold Award project. “To be quite honest, I am very proud of how much I could create change in my community, and I much stronger I am for it.”

Emily is the daughter of Elizabeth and Richard Geisen. She completed her Gold Award project as a senior at Triad High School and is currently a freshman at Carleton College. Emily is a Trifecta Girl Scout who has earned the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards.

November 24, 2025