2026 Reflections Program

SHILOH BYERS

ALAURA COE Alaura identified a critical need in her community: limited access to books for children and families. With the local public library offering reduced hours and no weekend availability, many children—especially those involved in sports or with working parents—were unable to access books outside of public library hours. During the summer months, this gap becomes even more significant, as students lose access to school libraries and risk falling behind in reading development. To address this need and earn the Gold Award, Alaura designed and built a “Carnegie Little Library,” a free, community-based book-sharing structure placed outside the Carnegie Public Library. The Little Library allows children and families to take or exchange books at any time, ensuring access beyond traditional library hours. Alaura organized a community-wide book drive using word-of-mouth outreach and social media to collect donations. She then worked with a team to design and construct the library, creating a welcoming and durable space for readers of all ages. Alaura presented her project to elementary school students, high school clubs, and local community groups, and participated in a children’s event at the public library to promote the Little Library. Additionally, she registered the structure on the national Little Free Library map, increasing visibility and encouraging both residents and visitors to utilize the resource. The local library further amplified her efforts by sharing the project with the community on social media. Recognizing that academic success is closely tied to wellness, Shiloh also developed a Wellness & Accessibility section featuring mental health resources, crisis hotline information, explanations of neurodivergence and executive functioning, psychology study guides, and guidance on how students biologically process and retain information. To reach students where they already spend time, Shiloh launched Instagram and TikTok accounts to promote the website resource. Inspired by her own experiences as a student with sensory processing disorder, Shiloh identified a critical gap in traditional high school education: a lack of accessible, flexible academic accommodation for students who do not learn in conventional ways. With limited time, training, and resources, many high school educators are unable to consistently provide individualized support, leaving neurodivergent students without the tools they need to succeed. To address this issue and earn the Gold Award, Shiloh created Techne Colored, a comprehensive educational website. The site includes approachable biology, chemistry, and physics blog posts; simplified lab activities presented in an online packet format; and a “STEM & Trends” section that explains the science behind current world issues in clear, engaging language.

District 6, Troop 705 Kirkwood High School 13 years in Girl Scouts Milestones Bronze Award Girl Scout Silver Award Girl Scout 13-Year Girl Scout Graduating Girl Scout

District 15, Troop 9231 Marceline High School 10 years in Girl Scouts Milestones Bronze Award Girl Scout Silver Award Girl Scout 10-Year Girl Scout Graduating Girl Scout