Troop 788 is proudly celebrating a major accomplishment as Emri Ballard, Emerie Brown, and Emma Oliver have earned the prestigious Girl Scout Silver Award.

The Silver Award — available only after earning the Bronze Award — is the second-highest honor in Girl Scouts and one of the most respected achievements a Cadette can receive. To qualify, girls in grades 6–8 must complete a Cadette Journey, identify an issue they care deeply about in their community, and design and lead a sustainable 50-hour service project. Fewer than 10% of eligible Girl Scouts earn this distinction.

Emri, Emerie, and Emma didn’t just meet the requirement — they exceeded it.

The trio dedicated more than 60 hours last fall to transforming the courtyard at Morningside of Springfield into a vibrant, welcoming outdoor space for residents and their families. What was once a simple courtyard is now an engaging environment designed to spark joy, encourage connection, and invite peaceful moments outdoors.

Working alongside generous community partners, the girls completed an impressive list of improvements, including:

• Replacing and installing new bird feeders
• Seeding the lawn
• Painting rocks and creating a courtyard rock scavenger hunt
• Planting butterfly bushes
• Mulching garden areas
• Purchasing birdseed and a new outdoor table
• Creating a bird and butterfly identification book
• Providing binoculars so residents can enjoy bird and wildlife watching

The thoughtful additions weren’t just decorative — they were intentional. By incorporating bird feeders, butterfly bushes, identification guides, and binoculars, the girls created opportunities for residents to connect with nature, enjoy gentle activity, and share meaningful moments with visiting family members.

Their project was made possible through the generous support of FiveStar Building under the leadership of Jeremy Baldwin, Wal-Mart, Michael Taylor, Laura McCarver from Walker Hardware, South Central Growers, and other independent community contributors who believed in their vision.

And because it’s peak Girl Scout Cookie season, the girls added one more sweet touch this past week— delivering cookies to residents, spreading smiles along with their service.

Through hard work, creativity, leadership, and heart, Emri, Emerie, and Emma have made a lasting impact on their community. Their project will continue serving residents long after their 60 hours were complete — exactly what the Silver Award is designed to inspire.

Congratulations to these outstanding young women on this remarkable accomplishment. Springfield is blooming brighter because of you.

Photos courtesy of Jodi Ballard.