2026 Reflections Program

CAILEY JOHNSON

ALYSSA KAISER At Camp Tuckaho, a Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri Camp property, invasive plants and grasses had overtaken natural areas due to a lack of staff and volunteers available to maintain the trails. To address this and earn the Gold Award, Alyssa researched invasive species specific to the camp and identified which native plants and wildflowers would best restore the ecosystem. She created educational trail signs using Canva to help visitors recognize local plants and understand the importance of protecting them. Alyssa removed multiple buckets of invasive plants by hand, using environmentally friendly mechanical methods such as pulling, digging, and cutting roots. Once cleared, she spread 30 pounds of native wildflower seeds across the trail areas to reintroduce healthy vegetation. To ensure sustainability, she compiled an informational binder for the camp’s nature center so future visitors and staff can learn about ongoing plant care. Cailey combined her passion for the arts with a commitment to her community by revitalizing a beloved school tradition at Mason Ridge Elementary School. Each year, kindergarten students perform The Three Piggy Opera , a joyful production that brings together students, families, and educators. However, the set pieces used to represent the three houses, constructed from cardboard and paper, had been in use for more than five years and had become worn, damaged, and no longer functional. To address the issue and earn the Gold Award, Cailey designed and constructed new set pieces using sturdy wooden materials. She incorporated functional doors with hinges, allowing students to move in and out of the houses during the performance, and added casters to ensure the structures could be easily moved despite their increased durability. Each house, representing straw, stick, and brick, was carefully painted and detailed with tactile elements, bringing the story to life in a more immersive and engaging way. Beyond rebuilding the set, Cailey expanded the project’s impact by introducing kindergarten students to the creative process behind the scenes. She developed and led a hands-on lesson where students created their own miniature set pieces inspired by the life-size designs.

District 8, Troop 1595 Parkway Central High School 13 years in Girl Scouts

Milestones Bronze Award Girl Scout Silver Award Girl Scout 13-Year Girl Scout Graduating Girl Scout

District 6, Troop 2900 Lindbergh High School 13 years in Girl Scouts Milestones Bronze Award Girl Scout Silver Award Girl Scout 13-Year Girl Scout 2025 Graduate Girl Scout