Congratulations to Gold Award Girl Scout Brielle Bolash, on being Girl Scout of Southeastern Michigan’s 2026 Young Woman of Distinction Runner Up.

Project

Action and Awareness of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Communities in the Oakland County Area

Noticing the profound communication gap and language accessibility between hearing individuals and Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals around her community, Brielle took the matter into her own hands.

She began by starting her high school’s American Sign Language (ASL) club and the American Sign Language Honor Society. She developed explanatory videos highlighting essential signs, greetings, and tips.

Brielle led training sessions for students and the staff at the Rochester Hills Public Library so they could better connect with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in their community.

Impact

Brielle hopes her Gold Award project inspires and encourages students at her high school, and around the community, to take the time to learn even a few phrases to help break down the language barrier.

“All it takes is one person to become an interpreter for someone to allow that person a chance to better understand somethings,” she said.

Her Gold Award project will continue to be a resource for future students and library staff training.  

Brielle plans to study pediatric occupational therapy at Grand Valley State University.

Congratulations, Brielle, on being a 2026 Gold Award Young Woman of Distinction Runner Up.

Find out more

Brielle chats about her Gold Award project on our YouTube channel.

Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan awarded an astounding 24 Gold Awards to a diverse group of dedicated Girl Scouts this year at the annual honors ceremony. 

Visit www.gssem.org/highestawards to learn more about the Girl Scout Gold Awards.