Warsaw Community High School senior Macie Marshall is on a remarkable journey towards earning the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award. This esteemed award, comparable to the Boy Scout Eagle Scout Award, is granted to only 5% of Girl Scouts who demonstrate exceptional leadership, community service, and the successful creation of a sustainable project that makes a positive impact.
Macie's quest for the Gold Award began with a passion for promoting healthy eating in schools. Her project is rooted in the belief that nutritious meals not only impact physical health but also enhance cognitive abilities.
Her journey started when she noticed the return of the salad bar at Warsaw High School. Macie recognized the significant benefits of a balanced diet on both physical and mental well-being. She saw that a nutritious lunch could improve energy levels and cognitive focus throughout the school day.
To share these benefits, Macie initiated a "Fitness Friday" program at Edgewood Middle School. She provided the school with an industrial salad spinner and has been working closely with them to curate a diverse range of nutritious salad options for students, teachers and administrators.
Furthermore, Macie's commitment extended beyond her school as she donated a complete salad bar to an alternative school outside of Indianapolis. This generous contribution is available to staff and students, furthering the cause of healthy eating in educational institutions. Dr. Hoffert, Superintendent of Warsaw Community Schools stated, “We are very thankful for Maci and her dedicated service to the school community. She is a great example of our mission statement in action.”
Macie shared, “The award means a lot to me; especially, since I have been in Girl Scouts since 2nd grade, but what means even more to me is that I have impacted more communities and people than I could have ever imagined.”
Macie's dedication to improving school nutrition and promoting healthy eating habits is truly commendable. She is working diligently towards achieving the Girl Scout Gold Award, a testament to her commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.
To complete her project and earn the Gold Award, Macie needs the support of the community to raise awareness and garner recognition for her work. Her project aligns with the core values of the Gold Award, emphasizing leadership, community service and creating a lasting, positive impact.
About the Girl Scout Gold Award
The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest achievement within the Girl Scouts of the USA, open exclusively to girls in high school. To earn this prestigious award, a Girl Scout must identify an issue in her community and take action to address it. The project must be sustainable, have a lasting impact, and inspire positive change.
Photo Provided (left to right): Teresa Helm, Christina Cullers, Laura Arnette, Macie Marshall, JoElla Hauselman, Sandi Rocco