Annie discusses her impactful Girl Scout Gold Award project, "South Florida Pet Safety." She highlights the alarming statistic that up to 30% of animal deaths are preventable and shares her mission to educate pet owners in her transient community about unique local dangers. Annie details her creation of a pet safety book tailored specifically for South Florida, covering crucial topics such as heat dangers, wildlife hazards, poisonous plants, and preparedness for natural disasters like hurricanes. She also shares insights on how she funded the project through community sponsorships, emphasizing the importance of spreading awareness and knowledge to keep pets safe. Tune in to learn more about Annie's inspiring work and the vital lesson of pet safety in a unique environment.

More about Annie:

Anneliese Hsiao has been “making the world a better place” as a Girl Scout since age 5. She’s currently a high school senior on scholarship in the pre-medical and science research programs at American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida, where she has competed at regional, state, and international events with Science Olympiad, FJAS, and HOSA, achieving “national finalist” status in both science fair and HOSA Veterinary Medicine events. In addition to volunteering in the Humane Society of Broward County’s surgical clinic, Anneliese’s passion to become a veterinarian led her to found a Pre-Veterinary Club at her school. Other leadership positions have included President of her Girl Scout troop, Miracle Network Dance Marathon Club, NJHS, and NEHS. Anneliese holds seven consecutive Gold President’s Volunteer Service Awards for her community service efforts (1000+ hours). In her free time, she studies dance, violin, and piano, for which she has won multiple awards at the state level. Anneliese’s Girl Scout Gold Award project, which advocates for pet safety in South Florida, has led to her being named Scout of the Year for South Florida and the recipient of GSSEF’s “Service From the Heart” scholarship in 2025, and was also featured on local tv news.

https://www.instagram.com/petsafety.southfl/profilecard/?igsh=MWY5NnFsdXQ0cGpjYg%3D%3D

Aanya discusses her project, "Sharing the Joys of Cultural Diversity," which focused on fostering understanding and appreciation of cultural differences among children in her community. Aanya highlights two key components of her project: facilitating discussions about cultural identity in local schools and creating a children's book that details her own experiences as an immigrant from India. She reflects on her personal struggles with cultural acceptance and the importance of embracing one’s identity. Join us as Aanya shares her insights and the impact of her work in promoting cultural diversity.

More about Aanya:

Aanya is a sophomore at Princeton University studying Molecular Biology on the pre medicine track. For her Gold Award, Aanya created a cultural education and appreciation initiative in her community to encourage children to develop their global literacy and spark their love for diversity. Aanya published a children’s book, Samosas with Saanvi, to share how she grew to love her cultural identity, capture the joys of cultural diversity, and portray the emotional journey behind acceptance. The mission of her project was to bridge the cultural literacy gap she noticed in her community, allow children to discover their own cultural identities, and foster meaningful community connections. At Princeton, Aanya is involved in The Daily Princetonian Podcast and STEM Research Journalism teams, the Undergraduate Student Government Mental Health and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committees, and the Council on Science & Technology Student Advisory Board. She is very interested in scientific and medical research, working with the IMDEA Materials Institute to learn more about biomaterials and regenerative medicine, as well as Fundação Oswaldo Cruz in virology and immunology. She loves to continue sharing her book and cultural story with family, friends, and community members. In her freetime, you may find her reading the newest fantasy or mystery novel, singing karaoke with her little sister, or playing with her shih tzu poodle Daisy.

https://www.amazon.com/Samosas-Saanvi-Aanya-Kasera/dp/B0CCCKNZW3

Shay shares insights into her impactful Gold Award project, an art exhibition held at the Overture Center for the Arts. The exhibit aimed to raise awareness about mental health among teenage girls in a positive light, showcasing the strength and creativity of young women artists from the Madison and Dane County area. Shay discusses her motivation to present mental health discussions more positively and highlights the submission process that led to the selection of 16 unique artists. The episode also touches on the themes explored in the artwork, including culture and sexual identity, and the positive impact the exhibition had on attendees. Tune in to learn more about this inspiring initiative and the power of art in addressing important social issues.

About Our Guest:
I have been a proud Girl Scout for eleven years, having begun my journey as a first grade Daisy in Troop 2303. I grew up in Middleton and am currently a junior at Middleton High School. I have always been an artist with a deep love for creativity and storytelling. I enjoy drawing, reading, writing, and travel. My recent trips include visits to Barcelona and Paris, where I especially enjoyed visiting the museums and historical sites. I am hoping to pursue a career in visual arts and am currently in the process of applying to college.

@herartexhibit on Instagram

www.herartexhibit.org

Her Art Exhibit catalogue on Amazon