Full transcription available at http://heartsofgoldpodcast.com/ Rachel shares her inspiring journey of earning the Girl Scout Gold Award through her project of constructing a trophy case for her high school's JROTC program. She discusses the motivation behind her project, which stemmed from the need to properly showcase the numerous trophies earned by cadets through various activities, including Raiders, drill, and rifle team. Rachel highlights the importance of community support, detailing how local businesses contributed materials and resources, significantly reducing project costs. She emphasizes the collaborative effort involved, mentioning her team, including the JROTC Booster Club and her project advisor, who provided guidance throughout the process. The episode also touches on the challenges Rachel faced during installation, particularly in coordinating volunteers and ensuring safety while handling glass materials. She reflects on her favorite memories from the project, including teaching metalworking skills to her peers. Additionally, Rachel discusses her experiences in Girl Scouts, including a memorable canoe trip in the Boundary Waters and her aspirations to pursue a career in meteorology through ROTC in college. She encourages future Gold Award candidates to utilize available resources and emphasizes the rewarding nature of the Gold Award process. Listeners will gain insights into the significance of leadership, community involvement, and personal growth through the Gold Award journey. More from Rachel: My name is Rachel Devoid, and I am from Florida. I joined Girl Scouts in kindergarten and have remained actively involved ever since. I have gone on countless camping trips with my troop and love the outdoors. Belonging to Girl Scouts has opened opportunities for me, such as traveling to Minnesota in 2022 for a seven-day canoe trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area through Girl Scout Destinations. In my free time, when I'm not camping, I love to stay active through Cross Country and Track and Field, along with participating in JROTC Raiders. After high school, I plan to attend college and get a degree in meteorology.   https://www.instagram.com/rachel.smachel1   Key Takeaways from this episode:   Community Involvement and Support: Rachel's Girl Scout Gold Award project, which involved building a trophy case for her high school's JROTC program, was significantly supported by community donations and collaboration. Local businesses contributed materials, and various groups, including the JROTC Booster Club, helped with funding and logistics, highlighting the importance of community engagement in successful projects. Leadership and Teamwork: The project emphasized the development of leadership skills and teamwork. Rachel noted how her experiences in both JROTC and Girl Scouts fostered her leadership abilities, which were crucial during the installation of the trophy case. She learned to coordinate volunteers and manage challenges, reinforcing the value of collaboration in achieving goals. Personal Growth and Future Aspirations: Rachel's involvement in Girl Scouts and JROTC has shaped her future aspirations, including her desire to study meteorology and pursue a career as a military officer. Her experiences have broadened her horizons, particularly in STEM fields, and she encourages others to take advantage of available resources to pursue their Gold Award, emphasizing the rewarding nature of the process.   Sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3rx06pr   Join our Facebook Community https://www.facebook.com/sherylmrobinson/   Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sherylmrobinson/?hl=en Please subscribe to Hearts of Gold on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/sherylmrobinson or on your favorite podcast app. Support future Hearts of Gold episodes at https://www.patreon.com/heartsofgold Editing by https://www.offthewalter.com/ Walter’s YouTube channel is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt0wFZRVaOpUd_nXc_8-4yQ