Congratulations, Ava, on earning your Gold Award! GSSEM is proud of you and your dedication to making a positive impact on your community and beyond.

Project: Project Storm Drain

Ava’s concern with improper disposal methods of car-wash runoff, pet waste, and pesticides led to her taking Project Storm Drain to the streets, literally.

She developed an environmental educational campaign reminding residents of what happens when the wrong things go down storm drains. “People do not realize how harmful the little things are,” she said.

Ava created and installed more than 500 storm drain markers with the message “No Dumping Here—Leads to River” in Flint communities. She visited local elementary schools using the catchy theme “Only Rain in the Drain” to teach 130 grade school students about the impact of environmental pollution on water quality. She reinforced the “Only Rain in the Drain” theme through a website and by distributing flyers and door hangers around the area.

Lessons learned

“My family cares deeply about the environment, but we didn’t even realize the damaging environmental impacts we were causing,” Ava said. “When you are washing your car in your driveway, the last thing you are thinking of is how your wash affects the environment.”

In addition to learning more about the environment, Ava also learned leadership and management skills, including adaptability.

“I was able to be flexible, go with the flow, and pivot, when necessary,” she said.

Learn more!

Ava chats about her Gold Award project on GSSEM’s YouTube channel.

Find out more about Girl Scout Highest Awards on our website at www.gssem.org/highestawards.