2026 Reflections Program

HANNAH HALTERMAN Partnering with the Mid America Veterans Museum in O’Fallon, Missouri, Hannah worked to enhance the experience and quality of interviews conducted for the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. The museum regularly records in-person interviews with local veterans, preserving their stories in Washington, D.C., and often inviting them to expand upon their experiences on the museum’s podcast, The Dog Tag . Hannah identified that high school student volunteers who conducted interviews often felt unprepared, which sometimes led to less detailed and less focused conversations. To address this issue and earn the Gold Award, she created a comprehensive interviewer training program and resource materials designed to help students feel confident, ask thoughtful follow up questions, and guide interviews with greater emphasis on veterans’ military experiences. Through her project, Hannah ensured that veterans’ stories are captured with the respect, empathy, and historical value they deserve, creating a more meaningful experience for both the veterans and the students who learn from them. Her project will be sustained through the Mid America Veterans Museum, which will continue using her training resources for future student interviewers. SAFIYA HASAN To earn the Girl Scout Gold Award, Safiya developed a student-led initiative to promote cultural acceptance and appreciation of different backgrounds within her school district. In February 2025, a week-long cultural event at Lindbergh High School invited students to host tables highlighting their heritage, with themed days focusing on art, language, and other cultural elements. Attendees were able to sample international foods, participate in art activities, and learn phrases in different languages, creating meaningful opportunities for cultural exchange. To make the event possible, Safiya formed a committee of students and staff from diverse backgrounds to manage promotion, logistics, and set up, and its current members have pledged to continue the tradition in future years.

District 4, Troop 224 Francis Howell Central High School 10 years in Girl Scouts Milestones Bronze Award Girl Scout Silver Award Girl Scout 10-Year Girl Scout 2025 Graduate Girl Scout

District 6, Troop 5056 Lindbergh High School 12 years in Girl Scouts Milestones Bronze Award Girl Scout Silver Award Girl Scout 2025 Graduate Girl Scout