Wentzville Holt High School Student Earns Highest Award in Girl Scouting
Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri is pleased to announce Heather Bana, a 2023 graduate of Wentzville Holt High School, has recently earned the mark of the truly remarkable– the Girl Scout Gold Award.
The Gold Award is earned by a high-school-aged Girl Scout who has dedicated, on average more than 80 hours, to address an issue they are passionate about in a way that produces meaningful and permanent change. Whether it is on a local, national, or global level, Gold Award Girl Scouts provide innovative solutions to pressing and relevant challenges.
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.
The 2024 Eastern Missouri Gold Award Girl Scout class identified issues in their communities, took action, and found or created solutions to earn their Gold Awards, addressing real-life problems such as environmental sustainability, racial justice, mental and physical well-being, and gender inequality in STEM.
Heather Bana
Concerned about the lack of education regarding the importance of physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle, Bana set out to reach her community with the many fun and unique ways they can be active each day. Bana worked with the Wentzville Parks and Recreation Department to educate adults through a presentation held as part of a popular annual volleyball tournament. Her presentation also lives on the park department’s website so community members can access the information anytime they need inspiration to take on a new physical challenge.
“Through the Gold Award process, I have learned many life lessons,” said Bana. “It has taught me perseverance and determination as well as the importance of problem solving and flexibility. It also allowed me to improve some of my leadership skills such as communication, organization, and decision making. Overall, my Gold Award project has left me with a new sense of self and a better understanding of my capabilities.”
This remarkable young leader, along with other Gold Award Girl Scouts, will be recognized during a special Ceremony on Sunday, June 23, 2024.
“Gold Award Girl Scouts, like Heather, have demonstrated extraordinary leadership through a measurable and sustainable community service project,” said Danielle Washington, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri Chief Program Officer. “We are proud of her remarkable achievement!”
