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Ma'kaila Holman from Belleville Designated a Gold Award Girl Scout
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois congratulates Ma’kaila Holman from Belleville, Illinois for becoming a Gold Award Girl Scout—a designation she earned by partnering with her local humane society’s trap-neuter-release (TNR) program.
Ma’kaila has always been fond of cats. When exploring a project to make blankets for the cats at the Belleville Area Humane Society (BAHS), she learned of their TNR program. Seeing a need for assistance, Ma’kaila focused her Gold Award project in this direction.
BAHS had a need for covers for the traps they use in their TNR program. Ma’kaila got to work, enlisting the help of others and utilizing resources in her school’s sewing club. She and her team stayed after school multiple times to create and sew the necessary trap covers. Ma’kaila was willing to do what it took to finish her project, even learning how to sew on a serger for the first time. The end result was a much-needed resource for BAHS to help control the pet population in her community.
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've learned that time management is a really reliable skill to have,” said Ma’kaila when reflecting on her Gold Award project.
Ma’kaila is the daughter of Liesha Foughter and a recent graduate of Belleville West High School. She is currently attending Southern Illinois University Edwardsville where she is studying nursing. Ma’kaila is a Trifecta Girl Scout who has earned the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards.
March 12, 2026
