Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri (GSEM) is pleased to announce that Elcie Schweigert, a Ste. Genevieve RII High School student, has recently earned the mark of the truly remarkable–the Girl Scout Gold Award.
The Gold Award is earned by a high-school-aged Girl Scout who has dedicated, on average more than 80 hours, to
address an issue they are passionate about in a way that produces meaningful and permanent change. Whether it is on
a local, national, or global level, Gold Award Girl Scouts provide innovative solutions to pressing and relevant challenges.
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.
The 2026 Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri class are identifying issues in their communities, taking action, and finding or creating solutions to earn their Gold Awards, addressing real-life problems such as environmental sustainability, food insecurities, mental and physical well-being, emergency preparedness and veteran affairs.
Elcie Schweigert
Elcie Schweigert earned the Girl Scout Gold Award by creating and leading a community-wide Wellness Day designed to educate middle and high school students about the importance of mental, physical, and sexual health.
Elcie hosted her Wellness Day at the Ste. Genevieve R-II Elementary and Middle School gymnasiums, creating an informational and engaging experience for students and caregivers alike. The event brought together trusted community organizations and experts to ensure participants received credible, comprehensive information.
In addition to live presentations and resource tables, Elcie created and distributed educational handouts covering topics such as ADHD, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. By connecting mental health with physical wellness and sexual health education, she emphasized how each area is interconnected and vital to overall well-being.
Understanding that stigma and discomfort often prevent youth from seeking help, Elcie intentionally designed the event to feel inviting and engaging. She promoted the Wellness Day through Facebook community groups, a Facebook local event page, and school communications including email, text alerts, and social media posts.
By addressing the root causes of limited awareness and stigma, Elcie’s project not only provided immediate access to resources but also opened conversations that can positively influence students’ futures. She hopes that by equipping young people with knowledge and normalizing conversations around wellness, they will grow into adults who prioritize their own health and model that openness for future generations.
“I believe that youth lack knowledge of the importance of mental, physical, and sexual health,” said Elcie. “Mental health issues are often viewed as something to be embarrassed about. Even when resources exist, they are not talked about enough. I wanted to create an event that made information accessible in a way that felt welcoming, positive, and even fun.”
Through her leadership, initiative, and commitment to community well-being, Elcie exemplifies the power of the Girl Scout Gold Award, and the impact one young leader can make.
For more details on this event and Girl Scouts Highest Awards, visit girlscoutsem.org/highestawards.