Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri Announces 2026 GSUSA Gold Award Scholarship Recipient

July 08, 2026

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri (GSEM) is proud to announce that Elyse Townsend, a recent graduate of Hazelwood West High School and 2025 Gold Award Girl Scout, has been selected as the recipient of a prestigious $5,000 Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) Gold Award Scholarship.

Each year, GSUSA awards one scholarship recipient from every Girl Scout council across the country, recognizing Gold Award Girl Scouts who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, created sustainable community impact, and exemplified the values of Girl Scouting through their service projects.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest achievement in Girl Scouting and is earned by high school-aged Girl Scouts who identify a community need, develop a sustainable solution, and lead a project that creates meaningful and lasting change. Through the Gold Award process, girls build skills in leadership, project management, communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and civic engagement while making a tangible difference in their communities.

For her Gold Award project, Elyse transformed the sensory garden at Ackerman School into a vibrant and inclusive space designed to support students with special needs. Her project enhanced the learning environment by creating opportunities for students to explore, engage with nature, and develop important sensory and social skills in a welcoming outdoor setting.

"Elyse's project is a powerful example of what happens when a young woman combines compassion, leadership, and determination to address a community need," said Dr. Natissia Small, CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri. "Through her Gold Award project, she created a lasting resource that will positively impact students for years to come. We are incredibly proud of her accomplishments and excited to see all she will achieve in the future."

This fall, Elyse will attend the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where she plans to continue her educational and leadership journey.

"My Gold Award project was truly an enriching experience that has taught me to be a more confident and community driven individual,” said Elyse. “I worked directly with my project team to address a real issue and provide a sustainable solution. I encourage all Girl Scouts to intentionally identify issues that could be the focus of their Gold Award, so they can leave a lasting impact on their community."

Elyse was recognized during Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri's annual Reflections Ceremony on June 14, where 37 Gold Award Girl Scouts were honored for their extraordinary achievements and commitment to service.

Collectively, the 2026 Gold Award Class contributed more than 3,000 hours of service and partnered with more than 35 organizations to address important issues including environmental sustainability, mental and physical well-being, emergency preparedness, veterans’ affairs, accessibility, education, and community support initiatives.

The Gold Award is not awarded for potential. It is awarded for impact. Through their projects, the members of the 2026 Gold Award Class have already created meaningful change in their communities while developing the leadership, resilience, and problem-solving skills that will serve them throughout their lives. Their work stands as a powerful reminder that when girls are given opportunities to lead, they have the ability to transform communities and shape a better future for all.

For full details and project descriptions from the 2026 GSEM Gold Award Class, click here.