Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) is pleased to announce that Megan Kraus from Waterloo has received the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can receive.
For her Girl Scout Gold Award project, Megan spread a sense of positivity and creative expression through an array of community service projects, including painting a mural in her former grade school and engaging children in art programs.
“I’ve always had a fascination for and enjoyed the arts,” she said. “A common need for expression and a lack of financial and visual support for the arts made me feel like something necessary was becoming extinct.”
When a mural of Noah’s Ark at St. Peter and Paul School had to be removed due to renovations, Megan remembered how it had inspired her as a child and decided to replace it. Under the direction of SIUE art student Jacki Lampitt, she sketched and painted a new design that took over three days to complete.
To get area children involved, she then hosted a coloring contest at Vacation Bible School, a calendar-making class at the library and craft sessions at an area Girl Scout campout. While teaching them artistic skills, Megan also emphasized that art can be a positive outlet for emotional expression, rather than turning to negative attitudes or behavior.
“I discovered ways to encourage positive creations and futures,” she said. “Even when paint is not involved, positive actions illuminate a beautiful path.
Along with sharing her deep love and respect for art, Megan also developed her own sense of confidence and leadership abilities. “Going outside of your comfort zone is completely worth it and can lead to phenomenal experiences,” she said. “After completing this project, which included formal communication with powerful adults and connecting with younger children, I feel like I can do anything.”
Megan is the daughter of Jeff and Patti Kraus. She is senior at Waterloo High School and has been a Girl Scout for twelve years. Next year, she plans to attend college to major in Spanish.
The Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can earn, recognizes a Girl Scout's commitment to excellence as she develops skills and values to meet present and future challenges in her life. To earn the Girl Scout Gold Award, a Girl Scout Senior or Girl Scout Ambassador must design and carry out a project that fulfills a need within a girl’s community, creates change, and is sustainable. The project must be completed with a suggested minimum of 80 hours of work. Only about 6 percent of eligible girls earn the prestigious Gold Award.
