Hannah Short from Glen Carbon Designated a Gold Award Girl Scout
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois congratulates Hannah Short from Glen Carbon, Illinois for becoming a Gold Award Girl Scout—a designation she earned by creating hero-themed activity plans to help children build valuable skills.
When talking with teachers and youth leaders in her community, Hannah realized there was a concern that youth needed more help learning life skills such as respecting others and taking care of the planet. A Girl Scout for several years, Hannah quickly realized these principles are reflected in the Daisy petals curriculum. (Petals are badges earned by the youngest Girl Scouts in Kindergarten and first grade.) Hannah then determined that she would create a fun course to teach more children these skills as her Gold Award project.
Hannah took the principles of the Daisy petals and grouped them into three categories – Friendship, Community Leaders, and Environment. She then designed hero-themed activities that could be used with any group of children. Hannah made lesson plans and recorded videos of herself teaching the lessons. She also taught these lessons in classroom settings, focusing on children in preschool through fourth grade. Hannah’s curriculum is now being shared with not only Girl Scout groups, but also with schools, libraries, and churches in the surrounding area.
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 realized that although I sometimes wanted to give up, my determination made the accomplishment of finishing truly more meaningful,” said Hannah when reflecting on her Gold Award project.
Hannah is the daughter of Carla Short. She is currently a homeschooled twelfth grader. After graduation, Hannah plans to attend Central Bible University.
August 05, 2026
