Elysia Zabala from Shiloh Designated a Gold Award Girl Scout
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois congratulates Elysia Zabala from Shiloh, Illinois for becoming a Gold Award Girl Scout—a designation she earned by enhancing the Shiloh Middle School library.
When she was a student at Shiloh Middle School, Elysia felt a sense of sadness that the library could be difficult to use. The school did not have a librarian, and students needed more education about how to find books and resources. Elysia was determined to make the Shiloh Middle School library more welcoming and user-friendly for her Girl Scout Gold Award project.
Elysia focused on three main goals for her project – reorganizing, redecorating, and providing resources. First, she spent time ensuring all the books were in their correct location as well adding directional signage for students to more easily locate books. Next, Elysia made the library more inviting by repainting it as well as adding posters and literary quotes to the walls. She also furnished a reading nook in the corner. Finally, Elysia added educational videos and book collections to the library website so that students could learn more about the library, the books available, and how to find them.
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 have learned and gained so many skills throughout this project. I [also] learned about the importance of a library in education. Libraries are used to enhance a student’s learning with resources of knowledge, and I am so glad that I could help the students of Shiloh gain this knowledge and experience,” said Elysia.
Elysia is the daughter of Angelina and Vincent Zabala. She is a freshman at Indiana University Bloomington, where she majors in Business. Elysia is a Trifecta Girl Scout who has earned the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards.
December 18, 2024
