Two FHS Students Earn Girl Scouts Highest Achievement

Fox High School students Myra Burger and Sabrina Sachs have earned the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouting, by leading impactful projects that address real community needs through innovation, leadership, and service.

The Gold Award is earned by high school–aged Girl Scouts who dedicate, on average, more than 80 hours to solving a
problem they are passionate about in a way that creates sustainable, measurable change. Gold Award Girl Scouts
emerge as problem-solvers, leaders, and changemakers equipped with skills that set them apart both personally and
professionally.

The 2026 Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri class are identifying issues in their communities and taking action to create
solutions, addressing real-life challenges such as STEM access, mental and physical well-being, environmental
sustainability, food insecurity, emergency preparedness, and support for veterans.

Myra Burger
Fox High School junior Myra Burger identified a barrier preventing girls from engaging in hands-on STEM experiences:
the lack of access to equipment and training needed to host Grand Prix races. These events, which combine engineering,
woodworking, and friendly competition, were out of reach for many Girl Scout communities.

To address this, Myra developed a comprehensive solution that removed barriers to participation. Her project included
creating a detailed planning and training guide, hosting a hands-on workshop for volunteers, and assembling a complete
Grand Prix race kit equipped with everything needed to run a successful event. The kit features a professional-grade 32-
foot, 6-lane aluminum race track, timing system, race management software, laptop, and essential tools for setup and
operations. She also restored and upgraded donated equipment and secured additional materials through troop-earned
funds and community support.

A standout feature of her project is the design and construction of durable wooden “garage” boxes. These systems
safely store, organize, and transport race cars during events, improving efficiency, protecting participants’ work, and
ensuring fair and consistent race conditions.

Her efforts culminated in a historic milestone: the first-ever 100% Girl Scout–managed Grand Prix race in her area.
Today, her work ensures that Girl Scout neighborhoods across Jefferson County have the resources and confidence to
host these events independently for years to come, creating ongoing opportunities for girls to build STEM skills,
confidence, and leadership.

“For too long, girls have missed out on opportunities like this,” said Myra. “My goal was to make sure they feel included,
empowered, and excited to explore STEM in a hands-on way.”

Sabrina Sachs
Fox High School junior Sabrina Sachs earned her Gold Award by addressing a different, but equally important challenge:
reducing anxiety for children receiving medical care.

When the Mercy Pediatric Cancer and Hematology Department relocated within Mercy Hospital, Sabrina saw an
opportunity to improve the patient experience. She designed and built seven custom interactive “busy boards,”
installing one in each treatment room.

Each board features bright, engaging designs and hands-on elements such as spinning gears, match-up blocks, peek-a-
boo doors, xylophone keys, mazes, and interactive spinners that teach concepts like butterfly life cycles and phases of
the moon. These elements help redirect children’s attention, providing comfort and a sense of control during stressful
visits.

“These boards give kids something positive to focus on,” said Sabrina. “When children can explore and play, it helps shift
their attention away from fear and creates a more comforting environment.”

To ensure long-term sustainability, Sabrina developed a QR code–based feedback system for patients, caregivers, and
staff, as well as an instructional video to guide hospital staff in maintaining the boards. She also created an educational
video to help other hospitals and organizations replicate her project, expanding its impact beyond her local community.
Her work can be viewed on her YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/@SabrinaGoldAwardGirlScout .
From empowering girls through hands-on engineering experiences to creating moments of comfort for children facing
serious illness, these Gold Award Girl Scouts demonstrate the power of youth leadership to drive meaningful, lasting
change.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is more than an achievement. It is a mark of distinction that recognizes girls who lead with
courage, confidence, and character to make the world a better place.