2026 Reflections Program

JENNA BRINKMAN

During COVID, Jenna’s place of worship, Assumption Church, faced major challenges in sustaining children’s programming, as the children’s liturgy stopped due to a shortage of staff and volunteers, and youth programs for public school families were limited. To earn the Gold Award and help her church, Jenna developed new initiatives to strengthen engagement, including improvements to R.O.C.K. (Raising Our Catholic Kids), a quarterly, family-centered program held after Sunday Mass that provides faith-filled activities to nurture children’s spiritual growth and build community among young families. At the parish day school, improvements were also made to the first-grade library by organizing the space, adding a welcoming book nook, and introducing two original faith-based books—one on the creation story and another on the lives of saints—designed to make faith learning more creative and accessible for children.

District 6, Troop 2900 Lindbergh High School 9 years in Girl Scouts Milestones Bronze Award Girl Scout Silver Award Girl Scout 2025 Graduate Girl Scout

MYRA BURGER

To earn the Gold Award, Myra identified a barrier preventing girls from engaging in hands-on STEM experiences: the lack of access to equipment and training needed to host Grand Prix races. These events, which combine engineering, woodworking, and friendly competition, were out of reach for many Girl Scout communities. To address this, Myra developed a comprehensive solution that removed barriers to participation. Her project included creating a detailed planning and training guide, hosting a hands-on workshop for volunteers, and assembling a complete Grand Prix race kit equipped with everything needed to run a successful event. The kit features a professional-grade 32-foot, 6-lane aluminum race track, timing system, race management software, laptop, and essential tools for setup and operations. She also restored and upgraded donated equipment and secured additional materials through troop-earned funds and community support. Her efforts culminated in a historic milestone: the first-ever 100% Girl Scout– managed Grand Prix race in her area. Today, her work ensures that Girl Scout neighborhoods across Jefferson County have the resources and confidence to host these events independently for years to come, creating ongoing opportunities for girls to build STEM skills, confidence, and leadership.

District 10, Troop 112 Fox High School 12 years in Girl Scouts