Katie Maes
Evergreen
Evergreen High School
Mercantile Music
What did you do for your Gold Award project?
I made a CD of old hymns and folk songs for the Hiwan Homestead Museum. The staff has been wanting to add something to the Mercantile Store, so that’s how I helped. They want the tours to feel in the time of the Homestead. They wanted more than just a look and see feel for the museum, they also wanted a multi-sensory idea; I wanted to focus on the hearing sense. What I did was record some songs, put them into a computer software where I could put all the songs together into one long recording, and changed the sound of the music. I also made a bookmark listing the songs I recorded for the Homestead staff to keep and hand out during tours.
Why did you pursue this Gold Award project?
I’ve been in Girl Scouts for thirteen years, and I have earned my Bronze and Silver Awards, I wanted to go all the way and earn everything I can in Girl Scouts. Plus my mother really wanted me to earn it.
How did your Gold Award project make a difference?
The staff has already incorporated the CD in with their tours, along with the bookmarks. After I print a bunch of them, I’ll copy the document over to the Homestead staff for them to keep and make more if needed. Andy Spencer says, “Katie’s contribution is massive. The original music brings a whole new dimension to our programming and the authentic sounds and songs transport our visitors back in time. It allows everyone to better connect with history and therefore be better informed as to the ever growing need to preserve our historical assets and memories.”
What skills did you gain through earning your Gold Award?
I learned how to use a recording device, how to use a soundboard, and how to put all the recordings into one long CD on the computer.
What will you most remember about your Gold Award project?
What I will remember most is how much I wanted to give up because I started it too late and ran out of time to do everything. But in the end, I got everything done and it turned out really well.
How will earning your Gold Award help you in your future?
It will be something interesting and unique to have on my resume when I apply for colleges and future jobs.
Why do you feel the Gold Award is an important part of your Girl Scout experience?
The Gold Award is an important part of Girl Scouts, because its the same as a Boy Scout getting their Eagle Scout- its the highest and best thing you can do, we grow up in scouting, we might as well go all the way, plus we make a difference in the world.