2025 Reflections Program

UDIPTI SINHA Inspired to help her community of DeSoto discover an interest in space exploration, Udipti developed a comprehensive awareness and education plan surrounding her town’s moon tree. A moon tree is a tree grown from seeds that have been taken into orbit around the moon. The first moon trees went into space in 1971, traveled around the moon and back to Earth to be planted at locations across the world. As part of her Gold Award project, Udipti created a larger plaque for the local moon tree located in DeSoto Park to raise awareness with the local community and visitors. She also created flyers and brochures that were posted in neighboring communities to help educate and encourage residents to visit the moon tree. To complete her project, Udipti presented to a group of 2nd graders and their teachers about the Apollo 14 mission, space exploration and moon trees. Local Girl Scouts will continue to care for the site for years to come. “The leadership skills I put into practice throughout my Gold Award Project included not letting my team down when we hit a rough spot and listening to all input. I became a more confident speaker, not afraid to speak my mind and what I wanted for my project.” CAROLINE SMITH Concerned about the staggering statistics of declining bee populations in the United States by upwards of 60 percent, Caroline took action to build, distribute and install bee houses throughout the St. Louis area in local parks, homes and community gardens to earn the Girl Scout Gold Award. In addition to her work creating bee houses, she also educated children and adults about the importance of bees as pollinators, their influence on our food and drug supply and their role in the global fight against hunger. Caroline created a website on the importance of bee pollinators and how to provide a welcoming habitat for them in a residential green space. “I hope that my Girl Scout Gold Award project will increase and sustain bee populations in the St. Louis area for years to come. My website will also continue to educate people about bees. I have shared it with the science department at my school, Nerinx Hall High School, and several other area high schools, including the science coordinator for the entire St. Louis City Public School System.”

District 11, Troop 1492 North County High School 13 years in Girl Scouts

Milestones 13-Year Girl Scout Graduating Girl Scout

District 2, Juliette Nerinx Hall High School 13 years in Girl Scouts Milestones Girl Scout Silver Award 13-Year Girl Scout Graduating Girl Scout