You are leaving girlscouts.org for a website opened by an external party. You will be subjected to the privacy and security policies of the website
Sophia Bohnak from Troy Designated a Gold Award Girl Scout
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois congratulates Sophia Bohnak from Troy, Illinois for becoming a Gold Award Girl Scout—a designation she earned by highlighting the importance of animal adoption, supporting her local animal shelter, and bringing a positive experience to the adoption process.
Sophia is a huge animal lover. At the start of her Gold Award journey, she had a dog who was adopted through an animal shelter. Sophia knew what a difference her dog made in her life and the difference she made in the life of her dog. She wanted to encourage people to explore animal adoption when looking to add a pet into their family.
Bringing beauty, light, and joy to her local animal shelter was the primary focus of Sophia’s project. She wanted to make the shelter very visible and vibrant for viewers from afar, thus giving them a pleasant experience before they even walked through the doors. Sophia painted a large-scale mural on the property that could be seen from the street. She also incorporated artwork that included a rock garden with messages such as “adopt don’t shop” colorfully painted on the rocks. She successfully reminded people that the perfect match for a family pet does not have to come from a breeder and could be waiting for them inside!
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.
“During this project I have learned patience, leadership, and perseverance,” said Sophia when reflecting on her Gold Award project.
Sophia is the daughter of Jennifer Bohnak. She is currently a senior at Triad High School. Upon graduation, she plans to attend University of Wisconsin Parkside to study physical therapy. Sophia is a Trifecta Girl Scout who has earned the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards.
September 03, 2026
