Ep 158 Empowering Kindergartners: Jola Strayhorn's Journey to the Girl Scout Gold Award

Jola created an engaging video aimed at teaching kindergartners essential classroom behaviors, which she identified as a need due to the social challenges faced by children during the pandemic.

We discussed the research she conducted on the impact of the pandemic on young children, particularly regarding social anxiety and interaction skills. Jola shared her experiences working with her family friend’s nieces, who starred in the video, and the challenges she faced during the filming and editing process. She emphasized the importance of patience and perseverance, especially when navigating the complexities of the Gold Award application.

Jola also recounted her excitement about presenting her video to the children and the positive feedback she received from both the kids and their teacher. We explored her broader experiences in Girl Scouts, including her involvement with Media Girls and a memorable interview with CBS in New York, where she had the opportunity to meet the CEO of Girl Scouts.

In addition to her Gold Award project, Jola shared her passion for running track at Union Catholic High School and her aspirations to compete at the collegiate level. She reflected on her experiences at Indoor Nationals in Boston and the unique energy of competing at such large events.

Jola's journey is a testament to the power of following one's passions and the importance of community support. She encouraged listeners to pursue projects they are passionate about and to embrace the challenges along the way. As we wrapped up, Jola shared her thoughts on making the perfect s'more, adding a light-hearted touch to our conversation.