Collier County resident and University of Central Florida student Shreya Mistry has earned Girl Scouting’s highest honor – the Gold Award – with her project titled, STEAM Pergola.

When Mistry visited the Happehatchee Center in Estero with her Girl Scout troop, she saw an opportunity to promote science, technology, engineering, arts, and math in the great outdoors. With some help, she constructed a pergola where students can participate in STEAM-related activities.

Mistry’s goal is to enrich the learning environment to increase students’ self-esteem while also creating a positive attitude toward STEAM studies.

To make the STEAM pergola sustainable, Mistry encourages other Girl Scouts to maintain, update, and make improvements to the pergola. She hopes more seating, tables, and storage for program supplies will be added.

“I learned that a project like this takes a lot of planning, perseverance, and commitment,” Mistry said. “It helped me develop my communication and leadership skills.”

The Girl Scout Gold Award, open to high school Girl Scouts, recognizes girls who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through take-action projects with sustainable impact in their communities. The Gold Award is so prestigious that some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award recipients, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements.

Congratulations Shreya!