Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast Honors Local 2025 Gold Award Girl Scout Scholarship Recipient
Alexandra Higbee Earns National Scholarship for “Mini Food Pantry for Lake Country” Project
MILWAUKEE – (June 18, 2025) – In May, Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast proudly honored 16 members of the 2025 Girl Scout Gold Award class who earned the highest award in Girl Scouting: the Gold Award. Gold Award Girl Scouts make positive impacts on our local communities by addressing some of our most pressing issues, including unconscious bias, access to basic school and hygiene supplies, animal habitat destruction, and youth advocacy. Today, Gold Award Girl Scout Alexandra Higbee was announced as a recipient of a national $5,000 scholarship for her work in creating an easily accessible, 24/7 local food pantry in Oconomowoc. Alexandra is among just 111 Gold Award Girl Scouts across the nation receiving the $5,000 scholarship from Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), made possible by funds from GSUSA and its National Board.
In response to the growing issue of food insecurity in Oconomowoc, Alexandra launched a Little Free Pantry at Lions Park, providing families with a 24/7, barrier-free resource for essential food items. Unlike traditional local food pantries, which have limited hours and require proof of residency, Alexandra’s pantry ensures immediate access for individuals in need. She collaborated with the Okauchee Lions Club, First Congregational UCC Church, and the Oconomowoc Junior Woman’s Club to secure locations, organize food drives, and establish ongoing, sustainable support in the community. Alexandra not only constructed and stocked the mini food pantry, she also continued to raise awareness about food insecurity by publishing a guide in the General Federation of Women’s Clubs News & Notes to inspire other communities to start similar initiatives.
Her project has made a meaningful, immediate impact, allowing families to access food without limitations. Thanks to her church’s ongoing monthly food collections and the community’s commitment to the “take what you need, leave what you can” approach, Alexandra has laid the groundwork for sustainable, long-term support locally and beyond.
“While earning my Gold Award, I learned so much about what it takes to be a strong leader – planning, delegation, overcoming obstacles, and follow through. I know I’ll be able to take the empathy, compassion, and determination I learned throughout Girl Scouts and my Gold Award journey into my career and daily life,” said Alexandra Higbee. “Earning this scholarship is incredibly rewarding, and I’m so grateful for this opportunity. It will make a huge difference as I continue my education and nursing journey, while competing in Division I cross country and track.”
This year, GSWISE recognized 16 Gold Award Girl Scouts who identified issues in their communities, took action, and found or created solutions to earn their Gold Awards. This year’s class of world-changers invested nearly 1,300 hours to address real-life problems such as environmental sustainability, STEM education, gender inequity in trades, and increasing youth screen time. The 2025 Gold Award Girl Scouts demonstrate the breadth of issues American teens feel are most prevalent in society today.
Gold Award Girl Scouts become innovative problem-solvers, empathetic leaders, confident public speakers, and focused project managers. They learn resourcefulness, tenacity, and decision-making skills, giving them an edge personally and professionally. As they take action to transform their communities, Gold Award Girl Scouts gain tangible skills and prove they’re the leaders our world needs.
According to recent research, Gold Award Girl Scouts are more likely to fill leadership roles at work and in their personal lives and are more civically engaged than their non-Girl Scout peers. Eighty-seven percent (87%) of Gold Award Girl Scouts agree that earning their Gold Award gave them skills that help them succeed professionally. Seventy-two percent (72%) said earning their Gold Award helped them get a scholarship. Changing the world doesn’t end when a Girl Scout earns her Gold Award. Ninety-nine percent (99%) of Gold Award Girl Scout alums take on leadership roles in their everyday lives.
“Huge congratulations to Alexandra on receiving this well-deserved scholarship in recognition of her Gold Award project,” said Ana Simpson, CEO of Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast. “Earning the Gold Award is a remarkable achievement that reflects Alexandra’s leadership, vision, and commitment to making the world a better place. Her project is a powerful example of the lasting impact Girl Scouts of all ages can have in their communities. We are so proud of her accomplishments and look forward to seeing how she continues to lead with courage, confidence, and character.”
This year, Girl Scouts of the USA awarded a scholarship to one Gold Award Girl Scout from each council across the Movement.
To learn more about GSWISE’s 2025 Highest Awards recipients and projects, visit www.gswise.org/highestawards.
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About Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast (GSWISE)
Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. We serve approximately 11,700 girls in grades K5-12, and 5,800 adults who believe in our mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. With programs in Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington and Waukesha counties, we give every Girl Scout in our council the chance to reach their full leadership potential. To volunteer, reconnect, donate, or join, visit gswise.org, email customercare@gswise.org, or call 800-565-4475.
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