LOCAL
Springfield-area Girl Scouts earn top honor for community projects
Janis Reeser
Springfield News-Leader
July 17, 2026, 4:04 a.m. CT
Two Springfield-area Girl Scouts have earned the organization’s highest honor after completing community projects focused on emergency response preparedness and senior mental health
Brooklyn Lundeen of Republic and Jaden Willingham of Springfield were recognized as members of the Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland Gold Award class, according to a community announcement. The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest achievement available to Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors and is awarded to individuals who create sustainable solutions to community issues
Lundeen’s project focused on sudden cardiac arrest, a condition that causes more than 400,000 deaths each year in the United States. To improve community preparedness, she organized a free CPR certification course that eliminated participation costs through donated instruction and certification materials. Nine people completed the training and became CPR certified
She also worked with the Chamber of Commerce, Marelly AED and Safety and the local fire department to secure funding for two automated external defibrillators at Proctor Park. The devices were installed in publicly accessible locations and are available around the clock for emergency use
According to the announcement, the project aimed to improve access to lifesaving equipment during the critical period before emergency responders arrive
Gold Award projects address community needs
Willingham’s Gold Award project, “Sound of Mind,” addressed mental health awareness and social isolation among senior citizens
The project was shaped by her studies in the Music Therapy program at Drury University’s MT-BC track, along with personal experiences involving family members in assisted-living settings. Those experiences helped inform her understanding of how isolation, communication challenges and loss of independence can affect older adults’ mental health
To address the issue, Willingham led a music and wellness session for residents at Bradford Court in Nixa. The event included a presentation on mental health awareness and an interactive music program featuring instruments and familiar songs chosen by participants
According to the announcement, the session encouraged communication, engagement and emotional expression while creating opportunities for social connection among residents
The Gold Award recognizes Girl Scouts who develop and implement projects designed to create lasting community impact through sustainable solutions to local challenges
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