Bailee Warsing from Granite City Nominated For Girl Scouts' National Young Women of Distinction Award

Bailee Warsing

Every year, ten exceptionally inspiring Girl Scout Gold Award recipients are selected as Girl Scouts' National Young Women of Distinction (NYWOD). This honor is given to Girl Scouts whose Gold Award projects demonstrated extraordinary leadership, had a measurable and sustainable impact, and addressed a local challenge that ties into to a national and/or global issue. These young women are making a positive difference on the world! 

Girl Scouts named as National Young Women of Distinction are models of the movement's mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. The program provides these young stars with the opportunity to be an inspiration to girls around the world. 

Each council can nominate three Girl Scouts for the opportunity to be selected to be a National Young Woman of Distinction.  This year, one of GSSI's nominations was Bailee Warsing from Granite City.

Watch Bailee's Nomination Video:

Bailee’s Girl Scout Gold Award project, called Raptor Residence, was to build a large residential cage for birds at Tree House Wildlife Center. In addition to working with volunteers and donors to raise $3,000 to build the cage, Bailee also tackled the issue of dangers of human expansion on birds and particularly an osprey who had been hit by a car in Granite City. As part of her project, she spoke to various groups about Tree House Wildlife Center and its efforts to rehabilitate injured birds. She spoke to students at Granite City High, younger Girl Scouts and community members.

Three GSSI Girl Scouts Nominated for National Young Women of Distinction Award

Every year, ten exceptionally inspiring Girl Scout Gold Award recipients are chosen as National Young Women of Distinction (NYWOD).  This honor is given to Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors whose Gold Award projects demonstrated extraordinary leadership, had a measurable and sustainable impact, and addressed a local challenge related to a national and/or global issue. These young women are taking matters into their own hands and being the change the world needs!

The NYWOD program perfectly reflects our mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. The program provides these young stars with the opportunity to be an inspiration to girls around the world and throughout the Girl Scout Movement.

Each council can nominate three Girl Scouts for the opportunity to be selected to be a National Young Woman of Distinction.  This year, GSSI nominated Nicole Laflen from Belleville, Sarah Pavlisin from O’Fallon and Bailee Warsing from Granite City.

Nicole Laflen:

Nicole’s Girl Scout Gold Award Project, called Strides for Strays – Racing to Rescue – Service for Smiles was to address the lack of community awareness surrounding service animals and the overpopulation of animal shelters.  She wanted more shelter animals to be trained to be service animals, especially as companion animals to those suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  She held a dog-friendly 5K and informational fair in the community to help spread the message that, rather than being euthanized,, many animals in shelters could be trained to be helpful service animals. Eighteen vendors and 225 participants took part in the event.  Last, she donated pet beds and blankets to local animal shelters.  

Sarah Pavlisin:

Sarah’s Girl Scout Gold Award project, called The Joy of Reading, was to create a library for special needs students in an area school.   Not only did she want to create the library where these students could read, but she also wanted to make it a safe haven from the stresses of school work and life.  She created sensory bags filled with trinkets and balloons filled with flour.  She also, with the help of a handyman, built two bookshelves to hold all of the books, toys and games for the library.  In addition, Sarah supplied the library with beanbag chairs, a fish tank and fun mood lighting to make the space more appealing and kid friendly.

Bailee Warsing:

Bailee’s Girl Scout Gold Award project, called Raptor Residence, was to build a large residential cage for birds at Tree House Wildlife Center.  In addition to working with volunteers and donors to raise $3,000 to build the cage, Bailee also tackled the issue of dangers of human expansion on birds and particularly an osprey who had been hit by a car in Granite City.  As part of her project, she spoke to various groups about Tree House Wildlife Center and its efforts to rehabilitate injured birds.  She spoke to students at Granite City High, younger Girl Scouts and community members.

Bailee Warsing from Granite City Receives Outstanding Graduating Girl Scout Scholarship from Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois is pleased to announce that Bailee Warsing from Granite City, Illinois has received its 2016 Outstanding Graduating Girl Scout Scholarship. She was recognized April 9 during GSSI's annual All That Glitters Ceremony held at the Holiday Inn in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. 

Bailee is a Girl Scout Ambassador who is also a Girl Scout Gold Award and Trifecta recipient. She states that through Girl Scouting she has gained the communication and leadership skills necessary to become a community member that makes a difference in the lives of others. Bailee is currently a senior at Granite City High School and plans to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the fall. 

“During my eleven years in Girl Scouting, I have been able to participate in so many activities I wouldn’t have otherwise had the opportunity to. I have become a leader. It is the most influential activity I have participated in,” said Warsing. 

Also receiving scholarships from Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois were Katie Albert from Waterloo and Alexandra Lloyd from O'Fallon. 

The Outstanding Graduating Girl Scout Scholarships are funded from proceeds from the annual Brownie Haunted Camp, which is planned, organized and conducted by older Girl Scouts. Two scholarships are awarded each year. This year, an additional scholarship was funded by Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois' staff campaign. To earn the scholarship, girls submitted an application and reference letters which were reviewed by a committee of staff and volunteers.

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Awards Three Outstanding Graduating Girl Scout Scholarships

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) is pleased to announce that Alexandra Lloyd from O’Fallon, Illinois; Bailee Warsing from Granite City, Illinois and Katie Albert from Waterloo, Illinois have been selected as its 2016 Outstanding Graduating Girl Scout Scholarship winners. 

The girls were recognized April 9 at GSSI’s annual All That Glitters Ceremony held at the Holiday Inn in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. In addition to earning this prestigious award, Alexandra and Bailee each received a $500 scholarship and Katie received a $1,000 scholarship for the college or university she will attend this fall. 

Alexandra Lloyd from O’Fallon 

Alexandra is a Girl Scout Ambassador who received her Girl Scout Gold Award in 2015. She is also a Trifecta recipient. Alex states that the Girl Scout program has empowered her to try new things and helped prepare her to make a difference as an adult. Alex is currently a senior at O’Fallon g\Township High School and plants to attend the University of Notre Dame in the fall. “Growing up as a Girl Scout, I have always known that girls are strong and powerful. My leaders always challenged me to try new things, and having the opportunity to grow and learn in a community of supportive women and girls helped me to become more confident and adventurous,” said Alex. 

Bailee Warsing from Granite City

Bailee is a Girl Scout Ambassador who is also a Girl Scout Gold Award and Trifecta recipient. She states that through Girl Scouting she has gained the communication and leadership skills necessary to become a community member that makes a difference in the lives of others. Bailee is currently a senior at Granite City High School and plans to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the fall. “During my eleven years in Girl Scouting, I have been able to participate in so many activities I wouldn’t have otherwise had the opportunity to. I have become a leader. It is the most influential activity I have participated in,” said Bailee. 

Katie Albert from Waterloo

Katie is a Girl Scout Ambassador who is also a Girl Scout Gold Award and Trifecta recipient. Katie states that the most memorable part of her Girl Scout career cannot possibly be limited to one event; it is the cumulative experience of thirteen years. Katie is currently a senior at Waterloo High School and plans to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the fall. “The best thing I could tell others about Girl Scouts is that it is not about the badge, the pin or the award. It is about the program and all that it represents. It is a door to opportunity. All you have to do is walk through that door and discover all it has to offer,” said Katie. 

 “We are so pleased to honor Alexandra, Bailee and Katie with our Outstanding Graduating Girl Scouts Scholarship,” said Villie M. Appoo, GSSI Chief Executive Officer. “All three of these exceptional young women are shining stars. They have done amazing things in their Girl Scout adventures – from giving back to their communities to traveling the world. They are great examples of Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois’ mission of Building Leaders for America,” Appoo added. 

Bailee Warsing from Granite City Has Earned the Girl Scout Gold Award

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) is pleased to announce that Bailee Warsing from Granite City has received the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can receive. 

For her Girl Scout Gold Award project, called Raptor Residence, Bailee built a large residential cage for birds at Tree House Wildlife Center.  In addition to working with volunteers and donors to raise $3,000 to build the cage, Bailee also tackled the issue of dangers of human expansion on birds and particularly an osprey who had been hit by a car in Granite City.  As part of her project, she spoke to various groups about Tree House Wildlife Center and its efforts to rehabilitate injured birds.  She spoke to students at Ganite City High, younger Girl Scouts and community members.       

 “I learned that I really like leading events and coordinating of volunteers,” Bailee said.  I really liked spreading knowledge about topics I feel strongly about like wildlife conservation. I also learned many leadership skills including how to manage a team and to not procrastinate.”

Bailee is currently a senior at Granite City High School.

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.