The Girl Scouts Gold Award is the highest pillar of achievement and service that can be bestowed upon a troop member. It is an accolade many young girls aspire to earn; however, the process of acquiring such an accolade is rigorous and time-consuming. Remarkably, only 5% of scouts earn the award, as it demands a minimum of 80 hours dedicated to a project. Senior Sofia Yaker proved to possess the resilience, patience, and diligence required for this strenuous task, focusing her Gold Award project on her passion for art and how it can be used as an outlet for mental health.

A Girl Scout since kindergarten, Yaker always knew she wanted to incorporate art into her project. “Art has played such an important role in my life,” she said. “Not only is it one of my favorite passions, but it is also a way for me to decompress, and it helps me express my emotions.” Yaker’s wish to educate others about art’s cathartic properties entailed a lengthy process, beginning with an interview by the Girl Scout Gold Award council and followed by being assigned a mentor. She ultimately surpassed the 80-hour requirement spent on the project, clocking in a total of 95 hours consisting of research, meetings, and presentations. Getting in touch with younger scouts, Yaker presented her project to other troops and hosted art drives at schools across the district. She also crafted baskets full of art supplies, homemade mental health tools, and mood tracking coloring books.

Yaker’s father, English teacher David Yaker, especially enjoyed the baskets of crafts, specifically the “emotion owls” activity connecting children to their community. To release their emotions, they were encouraged to decorate the owls with whatever color they felt represented their mood. “I thought this was a clever way to hook the children to their hometown,” he said.

Pursuing her Gold Award has allowed Yaker to spread her passion for art and mental health on a larger scale. Her favorite part was interacting with younger troops, teaching them while also providing an example. “It made me feel so happy to be able to be a role model to them and someone to look up to,” Yaker remarked. Her project, however, did not go without challenges. “I hit a roadblock halfway through my journey and didn’t know where I wanted to go with my project. There was a point when I didn’t like my original idea anymore, and it wasn’t going to work, so I talked to my mentor, and I was able to adjust my project,” she said. The adjustment worked, enabling Yaker to fall even more in love with her project. To Yaker, it was important that her work reflected what she loved and had an impact on others. 

Yaker’s father emphasized his daughter’s commitment to the Gold Award project, indicating that it demanded more than just community service. “It encompasses all the qualities that make me proud to be her father: kindness, leadership, grit, compassion, dedication, and community,” he said. As the project progressed, he noticed an increase in Yaker’s confidence. Taking initiative from start to finish, she asked for help when needed and persevered when faced with obstacles, including her fear of public speaking. 

Art teacher Michael Kunz feels honored to have taught a student who has earned a Gold Award. “I have had very few former students receive this award,” he said. “Sofia receiving this award is a testament to her commitment to the Girl Scouts and the community.” Praising Yaker for her extensive planning, Kunz loves how it is now possible for someone else to follow in her footsteps and continue her vision.

Advising aspiring Gold Award earners, Yaker asserted the importance of sticking with an idea that one is passionate about. “It is such a rewarding feeling to know that you left an impact on someone or something,” Yaker expressed.