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Gold Award Spotlight: Emily O'Neill

For Emily O’Neill, earning the Girl Scout Gold Award was about identifying an everyday problem in a place she cared deeply about—and taking action to make it better for everyone. Drawing from her own experiences and the experiences of other students at her high school, Emily recognized that issues of access, equity, and inclusion were impacting students in meaningful ways. Rather than accepting the status quo, she stepped up to create change.

Emily’s Gold Award project was designed in three connected parts, each focused on improving her school environment. First, she took on the physical space itself by cleaning, decorating, and revitalizing ten school bathrooms, creating more welcoming and respectful spaces for students. From there, Emily worked directly with school administrators to advocate for and help implement a new policy that allows high school students access to additional bathrooms throughout the building—addressing both convenience and equity.

The final component of Emily’s project focused on long-term cultural change. She collaborated with her school’s DEIB committee to develop a clear and effective way for students to communicate concerns related to inequality within the school community. By helping create a structured process for student voices to be heard, Emily ensured that her impact would extend far beyond her individual efforts.

Emily was inspired by the simple realization that small, overlooked issues can have a big effect on students’ daily lives. During her first weeks of high school, she saw an opportunity to improve the community she loved and took initiative to do something meaningful and lasting. Her project reflects the heart of the Girl Scouts Highest Awards, which recognize girls who identify a real need, lead with confidence, and create sustainable solutions that continue after the project is complete.

Sustainability was a key part of Emily’s work. Her project is supported by the ongoing commitment of her school community, administrators, and student leaders who are dedicated to maintaining an environment rooted in fairness, dignity, and inclusion. By embedding her changes into school policy and established committees, Emily ensured her work would continue to benefit future students.

To Emily, being a Girl Scout has been an empowering journey. She credits Girl Scouting with helping her see herself as a leader—someone who can inspire others, use her talents for good, and make a real difference in the world. Her Gold Award project is a powerful example of how listening, advocacy, and perseverance can transform everyday challenges into opportunities for meaningful change.

Congratulations to Emily on earning the Girl Scout Gold Award and for creating a more inclusive, positive school environment for years to come.

December 19, 2025