Corrin Zurbrigg, a 17-year-old junior at Barron Collier High School and member of Troop 273 with Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, has earned the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award—the highest honor in Girl Scouting—for leading a transformative project that created a wheelchair-accessible garden and comprehensive life skills program for Exceptional Student Education (ESE) students at her school.

Through her project, Garden Beds & Life Skills for ESE Students, Corrin identified a meaningful gap in hands-on learning opportunities for ESE students, particularly in the areas of nutrition, sustainability, and independent living skills. She envisioned a space where students of all abilities could actively participate in planting, growing, harvesting, and preparing fresh fruits and vegetables—while building confidence and practical life skills.

What She Did

Over the course of more than 106 hours of planning, fundraising, organizing, and leading volunteers, Corrin designed and oversaw the construction of a fully accessible garden space on campus. The project included 10 raised garden beds strategically spaced to accommodate wheelchairs and mobility devices, irrigation supplies, gardening tools, a storage shed, and a structured 10-week gardening curriculum tailored specifically to ESE learners.

Measured Success

The impact of the program was measurable and immediate. Pre- and post-program surveys showed that student knowledge of gardening, nutrition, and plant science increased from an average of 60% to 84% after completing the 10-week course. Students gained hands-on experience in growing and harvesting produce, understanding healthy food choices, and learning foundational skills such as responsibility, teamwork, and basic food preparation.

Beyond academic learning, the accessible design of the garden ensures that students of all physical abilities can participate fully and independently. Corrin also created reusable lesson plans and resource materials so teachers can implement the program annually, guaranteeing long-term sustainability and continued benefit for future ESE classes.

Corrin secured more than $10,000 in in-kind donations from local businesses and community partners, demonstrating strong leadership, communication, and project management skills. She coordinated volunteers to assist with building and installation and worked closely with school staff to ensure the program aligned with educational goals and could be sustained long after her graduation.

About the Girl Scout Gold Award

The Girl Scout Gold Award is earned by fewer than six percent of eligible Girl Scouts nationwide. The award recognizes young women who identify a pressing community issue, develop and lead a sustainable solution, and create measurable, lasting impact.

By combining accessibility, education, and sustainability, Corrin’s project has created a permanent resource at Barron Collier High School—one that will continue empowering students with essential life skills and confidence for years to come.