Full transcription available at http://heartsofgoldpodcast.com/

Today, we’re thrilled to have Pepper join us to share her inspiring journey as a young aviator and her impactful Girl Scout Gold Award project. From her first flight at just 10 years old to becoming a certified pilot, Pepper has navigated the skies and shattered stereotypes in a male-dominated field. She passionately discusses her mission to introduce aviation to young women in her community through a series of engaging workshops, where she taught the fundamentals of flight and even organized a thrilling "fly day" for eager participants.

But that’s not all! Pepper also dives into the challenges she faced, from balancing her rigorous training with high school life to advocating for the reinstatement of aviation programs in Girl Scouts. With a wealth of scholarships and support from organizations like the 99s and EAA, she emphasizes the importance of perseverance and community in pursuing one’s dreams. Tune in to hear about her incredible experiences, the lessons learned along the way, and her advice for anyone looking to explore new career paths. Don’t miss this uplifting episode that proves with passion and grit, the sky's the limit!

More About Pepper:

Autumn Pepper Rhodes is a 14 year Girl Scout, starting when she was only a daisy. She quickly got involved in cookie selling, camping, and career exploration within the Scout program. As she became a senior and ambassador, she transitioned into more of a mentor role, frequently volunteering with the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida (GSGCF). Pepper received the incredible opportunity to attend the 2017 G.I.R.L. Convention on the Media Team, as well as complete her Girl Scout Gold Award. Now as an adult member, Pepper is on the GSGCF Gold Award Committee! Outside of scouting, she attend Rice University in Houston, Texas for Mechanical Engineering and Astrophysics. She has a passion for aviation and aerospace, leading her to have earned Private Pilot's License and Instrument Flight Rating. Pepper also loves cycling, hiking, kayaking, and exploring nature with her friends. At Rice, she is on the Eclipse Collegiate Rocketry Team and the Duncan College Bike Team, both of which she found a home. Pepper wants to continue pursuing aviation as a career, eventually acting as a Aerospace or Aviation Design Engineer. Maybe even an astronaut one day!

https://girlswhosoar.com/

https://www.instagram.com/the_dr_pepper/

Key Takeaways from this episode:

1. Empowerment through Aviation: Pepper's Girl Scout Gold Award project focused on introducing young women in her community to aviation. She organized workshops that covered the basics of flight, hands-on activities, and opportunities to meet female pilots, aiming to inspire the next generation of women in aviation.

2. Overcoming Challenges: Throughout her journey, Pepper faced various challenges, including financial barriers and the demands of balancing her aviation training with high school responsibilities. She emphasized the importance of perseverance, time management, and seeking scholarships to support her goals in aviation.

3. Advocacy for Aviation Programs: Pepper actively advocated for the reinstatement of aviation programs within the Girl Scouts of the USA. She engaged with the organization to propose the creation of aviation badges and programming, highlighting the need for more resources and opportunities for young women interested in pursuing careers in aviation.

Sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3rx06pr

Join our Facebook Community https://www.facebook.com/sherylmrobinson/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sherylmrobinson/?hl=en

Please subscribe to Hearts of Gold on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/sherylmrobinson or on your favorite podcast app.

Support future Hearts of Gold episodes at https://www.patreon.com/heartsofgold

Editing by https://www.offthewalter.com/ Walter’s YouTube channel is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt0wFZRVaOpUd_nXc_8-4yQ

Full transcription available at http://heartsofgoldpodcast.com/

Rachel shares her inspiring journey of earning the Girl Scout Gold Award through her project of constructing a trophy case for her high school's JROTC program. She discusses the motivation behind her project, which stemmed from the need to properly showcase the numerous trophies earned by cadets through various activities, including Raiders, drill, and rifle team.

Rachel highlights the importance of community support, detailing how local businesses contributed materials and resources, significantly reducing project costs. She emphasizes the collaborative effort involved, mentioning her team, including the JROTC Booster Club and her project advisor, who provided guidance throughout the process.

The episode also touches on the challenges Rachel faced during installation, particularly in coordinating volunteers and ensuring safety while handling glass materials. She reflects on her favorite memories from the project, including teaching metalworking skills to her peers.

Additionally, Rachel discusses her experiences in Girl Scouts, including a memorable canoe trip in the Boundary Waters and her aspirations to pursue a career in meteorology through ROTC in college. She encourages future Gold Award candidates to utilize available resources and emphasizes the rewarding nature of the Gold Award process.

Listeners will gain insights into the significance of leadership, community involvement, and personal growth through the Gold Award journey.

More from Rachel:

My name is Rachel Devoid, and I am from Florida. I joined Girl Scouts in kindergarten and have remained actively involved ever since. I have gone on countless camping trips with my troop and love the outdoors. Belonging to Girl Scouts has opened opportunities for me, such as traveling to Minnesota in 2022 for a seven-day canoe trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area through Girl Scout Destinations. In my free time, when I'm not camping, I love to stay active through Cross Country and Track and Field, along with participating in JROTC Raiders. After high school, I plan to attend college and get a degree in meteorology.

https://www.instagram.com/rachel.smachel1

Key Takeaways from this episode:

1. Community Involvement and Support: Rachel's Girl Scout Gold Award project, which involved building a trophy case for her high school's JROTC program, was significantly supported by community donations and collaboration. Local businesses contributed materials, and various groups, including the JROTC Booster Club, helped with funding and logistics, highlighting the importance of community engagement in successful projects.

2. Leadership and Teamwork: The project emphasized the development of leadership skills and teamwork. Rachel noted how her experiences in both JROTC and Girl Scouts fostered her leadership abilities, which were crucial during the installation of the trophy case. She learned to coordinate volunteers and manage challenges, reinforcing the value of collaboration in achieving goals.

3. Personal Growth and Future Aspirations: Rachel's involvement in Girl Scouts and JROTC has shaped her future aspirations, including her desire to study meteorology and pursue a career as a military officer. Her experiences have broadened her horizons, particularly in STEM fields, and she encourages others to take advantage of available resources to pursue their Gold Award, emphasizing the rewarding nature of the process.

Sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3rx06pr

Join our Facebook Community https://www.facebook.com/sherylmrobinson/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sherylmrobinson/?hl=en

Please subscribe to Hearts of Gold on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/sherylmrobinson or on your favorite podcast app.

Support future Hearts of Gold episodes at https://www.patreon.com/heartsofgold

Editing by https://www.offthewalter.com/ Walter’s YouTube channel is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt0wFZRVaOpUd_nXc_8-4yQ

Full transcription available at http://heartsofgoldpodcast.com/

Jackie shares her inspiring journey of earning the Girl Scout Gold Award through her project titled "Single-Use Less Plastic." She discusses her advocacy against single-use plastic pollution, highlighting the importance of public policy, education, and art in driving change.

Jackie reflects on how the COVID-19 lockdown prompted her to notice the overwhelming amount of plastic waste generated by her family, leading her to participate in the Plastic Free July challenge. She created an art curriculum inspired by artist Aurora Robson, teaching students to make collages from plastic debris. Jackie also founded her school's environmental club, where she organized assemblies and engaged with local officials to promote legislation against plastic straws.

Throughout the episode, Jackie shares the challenges she faced during the project, including the transition to virtual learning, and the valuable lessons she learned about self-expression and advocacy. She discusses her current endeavors as an art and design major at the University of Michigan, where she has launched her clothing brand, Vinny, which focuses on environmental themes and donates a portion of profits to conservation efforts.

Listeners will gain insights into the Gold Award process, the importance of creating a website for projects, and the impact of Girl Scout experiences on personal growth. Jackie encourages future Gold Award candidates to pursue their passions and reach out to others for support.

More About Jacqueline:

Jacqueline Vinson, 13 year Girl Scout earned her Gold Award through raising awareness of the environmental hazards of single use plastic and how we can take environmental action in our communities. Through her extensive work interviewing New York Council Members and artists, designing a curriculum and petitioning, she received the Girl Scouts of Greater New York Carmen Dubroc Scholarship in 2023. Jackie’s project made a difference in her community by raising awareness of Bill A90A, a law, banning plastic straws in NYC restaurants. She also successfully petitioned to end the use of plastic cutlery and plates in her school cafeteria. As a high school senior, her environmental art won a Scholastic Art and Writing Gold Key for her portfolio, “Single-Use Less Plastics”. She now studies Art and Design at the University of Michigan where she has continued to make environmental art. This summer, She started her own naturalist streetwear company, “VinNy”, selling shirts with her captivating geometric designs of nature and birds. VinNY’s aim is to connect urban life to the natural world, and 10% of the profits go to urban environmental conservation organizations including the NYC Bird Alliance.

https://singleuselessplastic.com

https://www.vinnylabel.com

Key Takeaways from this episode:

• Advocacy against single-use plastics through art and education.

• The importance of community engagement and public policy.

• Personal growth and self-expression through creative projects.