Girl Scout Receives Award for Creating Flower Garden at Stow Nursing Home

Amanda Wisniewski is one of eight Girl Scouts in the central region and 58 in Ohio who was recognized at the John S. Knight Center in Akron for receiving a Gold Award from the Girl Scouts of North East Ohio. 

“Although the Gold Award is the highest, most prestigious recognition a girl may earn in Girl Scouts, we know it is just the beginning of the amazing things these young ladies will accomplish in their lives,” said Jane Christyson, chief executive officer for Girl Scouts of North East Ohio, in a press release.  “Their projects have a lasting impact locally, nationally, and globally in environmental awareness, special needs populations, healthy living, community improvements and more.”

Summit County Court of Common Pleas Judge Elinore Marsh Stormer, a Girl Scout alumna, was the keynote speaker Saturday.

The Gold Award project challenges girls to identify an unmet need or core issue in their community, research and investigate it, recruit volunteers and build a team to create a plan to address the issue or need since 1916. 

The plan, called a Gold Award proposal, is submitted to council for approval by a committee of volunteers. Only about 5 percent of eligible girls take the rigorous path toward earning this prestigious award, but those who complete the journey change the lives of others and their own in amazing and significant ways. 

Blooming with Friendship

Wisniewski is a senior at Stow-Munroe Falls High School. She has been a Girl Scout for 12 years and has earned several religious awards and the Girl Scout Bronze and Gold Awards. 

Her Gold Award project called “Blooming with Friendships” entailed creating a beautiful flower garden that will bloom during the spring, summer and fall at Seasons Nursing Rehabilitation Center in Stow.  

Volunteering at Seasons Nursing Home and interacting with the residents inspired her to create a garden in the court yard with an array of colors and fragrances that will change with the seasons, according to a prepared statement.

Davey Tree Company donated the stump grinding of the old shrubs and planted new blooming trees and shrubs. Wisniewski also collected perennial flowers from friends, family and other organizations. She coordinated with a younger Girl Scout troop and instructed them on making stepping stones that lined the perimeter of the garden.  A handmade bird feeder attracts birds to the garden and a rain barrel was installed to collect rain water. 

In addition to Girl Scouts, Wisniewski is involved in youth group, National Honor Society and the Stow Munroe Falls marching and concert bands. She plans to study Early Childhood Education and Special Education at Bowling Green University in the future.