At Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, students now have a safe, calming space thanks to the vision and determination of Alice Barr, a 17-year-old Girl Scout who earned her Gold Award—the highest honor in Girl Scouting.

Alice’s project, Sensory Room, addressed a pressing issue she knows firsthand: teen anxiety.

“As a Girl Scout, I wanted to change that. I wanted to teach healthy ways to deal with stress and anxiety,” Alice said.

Her dedication included fundraising through Girl Scout cookie sales and soliciting support directly from local donors.

She supported her project with deep research

Before designing the Sensory Room, Alice conducted extensive research to ensure the space would truly meet students’ needs. She reviewed mental health studies on teen anxiety and stress management, consulted with school counselors and mental health professionals, and surveyed students about what tools and activities would help them feel calmer and supported. She also explored best practices for sensory spaces in educational settings, studying design elements, lighting, music, and stress-relief resources.

Based on her research, she designed a sensory room equipped with comfortable seating, calming music, fidget toys, motivational quotes from staff and peers, and educational brochures on healthy coping strategies. By combining evidence-based practices with student input, she created a space that not only helps teens manage stress in the moment but also teaches them lifelong skills for emotional well-being.

“No student should feel unsafe when dealing with so much in their heads. Students are going through a lot and not having a safe place for them to go can be so bad for students’ mental health.”

Overcoming Challenges

Despite facing significant challenges, Alice persevered and remained committed to her vision for the Sensory Room.

Midway through the project, her school leadership changed when her principal, who had been a strong supporter of the initiative, left the school. This required Alice to present her entire proposal again to the new principal, reestablishing trust and gaining approval to continue. At the same time, several of her team members either left the school or stepped away from the project, leaving her to reorganize and identify reliable collaborators.

“It honestly felt like everything was going against me,” Alice reflected, “but keeping a positive mindset and focusing on the students who would benefit from the room helped me push forward.”

Through careful planning, patience, and determination, she navigated these setbacks while maintaining the integrity and purpose of her project, ultimately bringing the Sensory Room to life for the students who needed it most.

“Whenever I faced obstacles, I reminded myself that this room could help someone in a stressful moment,” Alice said.

The impact of the room has been immediate.

Teachers have observed students returning from the Sensory Room more focused and calm, and anonymous student reflections indicate the room is helping them build emotional resilience and develop healthier mental health management skills.

“When students use the room, they have a more positive mindset overall. They come in upset and mentally not okay, and when they leave, they are in a better state of mind and have gained knowledge on what helps them when going through a rough time,” Alice said.

Alice Gold Award project is a powerful example of leadership, empathy, and determination. Through her efforts, she has created a legacy that will help students manage stress and anxiety for years to come.

When Julianne Arthur, a junior at Aubrey Rogers High School, set out to earn her Girl Scout Gold Award, she knew she wanted to tackle a problem close to her heart: the lack of mental stimulation for animals in rehabilitation.

“Without enrichment, animals may experience unnecessary stress, anxiety, and slower recovery,” she said. Her project, Enrichment Matters, aimed to give small mammals and shorebirds at her local Conservancy engaging activities that would improve their well-being and readiness for release back into the wild.

Identifying the Challenge

Julianne began by researching animal enrichment and how it could help. She explained, “I researched different types of activities and materials that are safe for the animals, and what needs have to be met for each animal.”

Through emails, calls, and meetings with staff at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, she discovered that rehabilitation centers often struggle to provide enough enrichment due to time and resource constraints.

“The root cause of my issue is that animals in rehabilitation require an adequate amount of enrichment activities to engage and stimulate them,” she noted.

Designing and Building Solutions

Informed by her research, Julianne got to work on practical solutions. She designed three firehose hammocks for small mammals. She also designed and built four floating PVC platforms for shorebirds and turtles.

“I was brainstorming what possible devices would help small mammals and shorebirds at the Conservancy,” she explained. Using materials donated by the Conservancy and local businesses, she assembled and tested each device, carefully considering safety and durability.

Julianne led a small team of volunteers, teaching them to cut, assemble, and secure the PVC platforms. Her leadership extended to planning, time management, and problem-solving throughout the project.

Engaging the Community

Julianne’s impact didn’t stop with building enrichment devices.

She brought her Gold Award to the public, setting up tables at the Paradise Sports Complex Fall Festival and the Collier County Museum Family Day. Visitors were able to see the enrichment devices in action and learn about animal welfare.

“Many people I spoke to didn’t really know what animal enrichment was, so this helped raise awareness about animal welfare and wildlife rehabilitation,” she said.

She also created an informational flyer explaining the concept of animal enrichment and how the Gold Award project supports it, ensuring the project’s sustainability beyond her involvement. “The flyer will continue to educate Conservancy visitors and volunteers,” Julianne said.

Lasting Impact

Animals at the Conservancy are now using the firehose hammocks and floating PVC platforms daily, reducing stress and improving mental stimulation. Volunteers and community members learned how to create their own enrichment activities, amplifying Julianne’s impact.

“Overall, I achieved my goal of increasing enrichment opportunities for rehabilitating animals and educating my community about the importance of animal enrichment and how to make these devices themselves,” she reflected.

Julianne’s Gold Award project demonstrates the power of research, hands-on problem solving, and community leadership. By combining creativity with compassion, she has left a tangible, lasting mark on both the local Conservancy and the broader conversation about wildlife rehabilitation.

In communities across the country, Safe Haven laws exist to protect newborns and provide desperate parents with a legal, safe alternative to abandonment. Yet for many people, these lifesaving laws remain unknown.

For Fort Myers Girl Scout Kaylee Jones, raising awareness about this issue became the focus of her Girl Scout Gold Award project — and ultimately led her to advocate for legislative change across the state of Florida.

Her project, “Hope for the Helpless,” sought to address the ongoing issue of infant abandonment by educating the public about Florida’s Safe Haven law and advocating for the inclusion of Safe Haven Baby Boxes as a legal surrender option.

Through nearly three years of research, advocacy, public speaking, and community outreach, Jones helped bring attention to an issue that she says often remains hidden in public conversation.

Understanding the Problem

Infant abandonment and neonaticide remain serious concerns in the United States. Research shows the risk of homicide is highest on the first day of life. Studies estimate around 85 newborns per year are killed or left to die by parents, which is why all 50 states have enacted Safe Haven laws allowing parents to safely surrender newborns without criminal penalty.

Despite these laws, many people remain unaware of how the law works or where they can safely surrender a baby.

“Even though there’s a Safe Haven law, there are still abandoned infant deaths either because the mother doesn’t know about the law or is too scared to surrender her baby in person,” Jones said in her final report.

Safe Haven Baby Boxes offer an additional option. Installed in fire stations or hospitals, the secure, climate-controlled boxes allow a parent to anonymously surrender a newborn. When the door is closed, a silent alarm alerts first responders inside the building to immediately retrieve the infant and begin care.

Driven By A Personal Connection

For Kaylee, the issue is deeply personal.

She was adopted after her birth parents faced a crisis pregnancy as teenagers.

“My birth parents tried to care for me for two months before placing me for adoption,” Jones said. “Learning about Safe Haven laws and hearing stories of crisis pregnancies made me more sympathetic to mothers and babies facing these situations.”

That personal connection fueled her determination to educate the public and advocate for expanded Safe Haven protections.

Taking Advocacy to the State Level

Kaylee began her project in June 2023 by researching Safe Haven Baby Boxes and contacting elected officials about the possibility of installing one in Fort Myers.

What began as a local initiative quickly expanded into statewide advocacy.

Encouraged by local leaders, Jones shifted her focus toward supporting legislation that would formally include Safe Haven Baby Boxes within Florida’s Safe Haven law.

Over the course of the project, she:

• Met with local and state elected officials
• Spoke at the Legislative Delegation meeting in Fort Myers
• Delivered speeches before the Florida Senate in Tallahassee in both 2024 and 2025
• Addressed community leaders at the Business People United Political Action Committee (BUPAC)
• Advocated at the Lee County School Board for Safe Haven awareness materials in high schools

She also met with lawmakers, delivered informational binders to legislative offices, and encouraged community members to contact their representatives in support of the legislation.

Reaching Thousands Through Media

Jones’ efforts extended beyond government meetings.

Her project reached thousands through local media coverage and public awareness campaigns, including:

• A televised interview on WINK News
• Coverage in Naples Press
• A radio appearance on “The Drive at Five” with Trey Radel
• Educational presentations in schools and community meetings
• Public outreach through posters, flyers, and social media

She also visited the headquarters of Safe Haven Baby Boxes in Indiana multiple times to learn more about the program and document the issue through video storytelling.

Jones later produced an informational YouTube video explaining Safe Haven laws and how Baby Boxes work, helping expand awareness beyond Southwest Florida.

Educating the Community

Kaylee conducted surveys during her outreach which revealed just how little awareness existed before her presentations.

Among those she spoke with:

• 73% had never heard of Safe Haven Baby Boxes
• 100% did not know where the nearest Baby Box was located

After hearing her presentations, every participant surveyed was able to correctly answer questions about the Safe Haven law and the safe surrender options available in Florida.

Kaylee said she hopes that knowledge will continue to spread through families and communities.

“If people know about these options,” she said, “it could save a baby’s life and prevent a mother in crisis from making a desperate decision.”

Creating Lasting Change

One of the most lasting outcomes of Jones’ project came in January 2026 when Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson issued a proclamation establishing the first week of January as Safe Haven Awareness Week.

The proclamation ensures that awareness efforts will continue annually even after Jones graduates.

Her work also contributed to broader advocacy efforts that successfully pushed for Safe Haven Baby Boxes to be included in Florida law, helping reduce legal barriers for communities interested in installing them in the future.

Overcoming Challenges

Kaylee faced significant challenges during the project, including misinformation about Baby Boxes and difficulties securing local approval for installation.

Rather than ending her efforts, those challenges pushed her to focus more heavily on education and policy change.

“I thought this would be a simple thing to accomplish,” she reflected. “But the adversity made me more determined to keep spreading information and advocating for change.”

A Gold Award With Lasting Impact

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest honor in Girl Scouting, recognizing projects that create sustainable change and address community needs. Only 6% of eligible Girl Scouts earn the award by identifying a community issue, creating a unique and sustainable solution, leading a team, measuring the project’s impact, and educating the public about their cause.

Through “Hope for the Helpless,” Kaylee demonstrated leadership, resilience, and a commitment to public service.

Her work continues to educate communities about Safe Haven laws and provide hope for parents in crisis.

And most importantly, it carries a message that Jones believes every community should hear: Community awareness saves lives.

Local Girl Scout Julianne Arthur has sold 50,000 boxes of Cookies over 13 years.

Julianne (center) sold 50,000 Cookies over 13 years. From left to right: Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida (GSGCF) Board President Juliana Meek, mom Christianne Payne Arthur, GSGCF Product Program Manager Jodi Miller, and GSGCF CEO Mary Anne Servian.

Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida Ambassador Julianne Arthur achieved a new council record officially selling her 50,000th box of Girl Scout Cookies on Saturday, Feb. 28th in Naples.

To total 50,000 boxes in 13 years, Julianne has sold an astonishing average of 3,846 boxes per year! For reference, the 2025 national per-girl average was 245 boxes.

Hitting a goal like this takes entrepreneurial grit and the consistent application of the five skills cultivated through the Cookie Program—goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics—all honed year after year through perseverance, confidence, and connection to community.

The 50,000^th sale occurred at approximately 2:45 PM in front of the Publix Super Market at Pelican Bay in Naples.

In attendance were Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida’s Board President Juliana Meek, CEO Mary Anne Servian, Product Program Manager Jodi Miller, Service Unit Manager Kim White, and Julianne’s family — her mom Christianne Payne Arthur, her dad Doug Arthur, brother Samuel, and her grandparents Dianne and Griff Payne — who came out to support the milestone moment.

“Julianne’s dedication and leadership over the past 13 years are truly remarkable,” said Mary Anne Servian, CEO of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida. “When you support local girls, they not only grow personally but also strengthen their communities, just as Julianne has. Through the Cookie Program, girls learn to set goals, manage money, build relationships, and run a business with integrity. Julianne has mastered these skills and used them to create learning opportunities and make a meaningful impact right here in our community. That is why this accomplishment is so significant—for our local council and for Girl Scouting as a whole.”

In the same week, Julianne completed her Girl Scout Gold Award project, the highest award a Girl Scout can earn. Her project, Enrichment Matters, addressed the lack of varied enrichment opportunities for small mammals and shorebirds undergoing rehabilitation at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida in Naples.

Julianne funded her project through proceeds earned during the Girl Scout Cookie Sale. Every dollar raised stays local, and Girl Scouts set individual goals for how they will use their earnings.

In previous years, Julianne’s Cookie proceeds helped her fund her Bronze Award and Silver Award projects, and even took her halfway across the world last summer when she embarked on a Girl Scouts Destinations trip to Japan!

In 2025, Julianne (second from left) and 10 other Girl Scouts embarked on a Girl Scout Destinations Trip to Japan, visiting the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. For Julianne, the trip was funded entirelyby her Girl Scout Cookie sales.

Every year, her troop has donated hundreds of cases of Cookies to local veterans and to the Shelter for Abused Women and Children. Through the Gift of Caring and Hometown Heroes donation programs, customers can also contribute boxes that are distributed to organizations such as Soldiers’ Angels, military members overseas, and local hometown heroes including teachers, nurses, firefighters, pharmacists, doctors, and sheriff’s deputies.

Whether participating in educational programs, exploring new experiences and travel opportunities, or, like Julianne, funding impactful Take Action projects that benefit the community at large, every box sold directly supports the ambitions of local Girl Scouts.

Emily S., a member of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, has earned the prestigious Girl Scout Silver Award by creating a project focused on supporting youth mental health through crochet.

Recognizing the challenges that young people face with anxiety, ADHD, and other mental health concerns, Emily designed a website offering free, accessible resources to help teens cope in a healthy, creative way. Drawing from her own experiences managing anxiety, ADHD, and OCD, she used her skills as a crocheter to develop tutorials for projects such as anxiety “blobs” and scrunchies, as well as short instructional videos on common crochet stitches. The site also provides information about the positive effects of crocheting on mental health, links to additional patterns, and encourages youth to create scrunchies to share within their schools and communities.

“My goal was to provide a fun and affordable outlet for young people to manage stress and anxiety,” said Emily. “Crochet gave me a way to feel calm and focused, and I wanted to share that with others who might be struggling but don’t have access to therapy or other resources.”

Emily shared her website with Girl Scout leaders, mental health professionals, theater instructors, and friends, using social media, emails, and in-person outreach. She also created videos and distributed scrunchies with tags linking to the site, allowing more youth to benefit from her project.

The Girl Scout Silver Award is the second-highest honor in Girl Scouting and recognizes girls in grades 6–12 who demonstrate leadership, initiative, and a commitment to making a lasting impact in their communities. Emily’s project exemplifies the Silver Award’s mission by addressing a critical need in her community and providing practical, meaningful solutions for youth mental health.

Alexis E., a Girl Scout Cadette from Troop 499, has earned the prestigious Girl Scout Silver Award from the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida. For her project, Alexis organized a team of volunteers to create recycled enrichment toys to help shelter dogs reduce stress, stay mentally engaged, and increase their chances of adoption.

The Silver Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout Cadette can earn, challenges scouts to take meaningful action in their communities.

Alexis was inspired by her own experience rescuing two shelter dogs. “I learned that dogs in animal shelters can suffer from stress, boredom, anxiety and destructive behaviors. Some dogs can be housed at shelters for a very long time before being adopted. These animals need enrichment activities like the ones that my team and I created to stimulate their minds and improve their mental health, which will make them happier, and therefore more likely to be adopted.”

Alexis identified a need for mental stimulation for dogs living in shelters, understanding that boredom and anxiety can impact their behavior and adoption potential. She partnered with Animal Welfare League of Port Charlotte and Fairytale Endings Rescue to research best practices for dog enrichment and design toys using recycled toilet paper and paper towel rolls stuffed with treats.

Through her leadership, Alexis organized volunteer workshops, purchased and collected supplies, and supervised the creation of 90 enrichment toys for the two shelters. She also provided step-by-step instructional flyers so community members can continue making toys, ensuring the project’s sustainability.

Reflecting on the experience, Alexis shared, “I discovered not to be discouraged by setbacks and to persevere… I had to be very persistent and try again.” She also emphasized the leadership and organizational skills she gained: “Another useful skill I learned was how to use leadership to delegate tasks… One of the most important skills I learned was to be persistent when problems came up. All of these skills will help me in the future in many ways.”

Alexis’s project demonstrates the Silver Award’s mission: empowering young women to take meaningful action in their communities while developing skills that will serve them throughout life. By combining creativity, persistence, and leadership, Alexis has created a sustainable project that will continue to benefit shelter dogs and inspire others to get involved.