Marquette Senior Earns Girl Scout Gold Award

Samantha Aldenderfer, a Marquette High senior, has earned the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor in girl scouting.

Aldenderfer identified a critical issue affecting many older adults: isolation and loneliness in nursing homes. These challenges can have serious impacts, including memory loss, decreased mobility and overall declines in physical and emotional health. While many facilities offer activities, residents often still feel disconnected from the broader community and may lack regular visits from family or friends.

To address this issue, Aldenderfer focused on bringing the community directly to residents. She organized intergenerational activities at the Fountains of West County Assisted Living Center, where she and fellow students regularly visited to play board games and spend meaningful time with residents. These small-group interactions created opportunities for conversation, connection and joy. In addition, Aldenderfer ensured that residents felt remembered and celebrated by creating birthday cards so that no resident’s special day would go unnoticed.

To create a lasting and sustainable impact, Aldenderfer established the “Act of Service Club” within the nursing home. Through this club, residents participated in monthly service projects that allowed them to give back to their community. Activities have included making dog treats for animal shelters, painting rocks to spread kindness and assembling care packages for local law enforcement. Participation in these events ranged from five to eight residents, with overall engagement increasing significantly throughout the project.

“My goal was to help residents feel less alone and more connected, not just to each other but to the community around them,” Aldenderfer said in a Girl Scouts press release. “Seeing their excitement and knowing they felt valued made this project incredibly meaningful to me.”

Aldenderfer also developed a comprehensive activity guide with detailed plans and ideas to ensure the club continues long after her involvement. The nursing home’s activity director will lead the club moving forward, sustaining opportunities for connection, engagement and service. Through Aldenderfer's efforts, residents reported feeling more connected and engaged, while student volunteers gained valuable communication skills and a deeper understanding of the importance of intergenerational relationships.

The Girl Scout Gold Award recognizes girls in grades 9-12 who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through sustainable and measurable "Take Action" projects that address pressing community issues. Gold Award Girl Scouts are change-makers who create lasting impact in their communities and beyond.

Through her project, Aldenderfer has built meaningful connections across generations, ensuring that residents feel seen, valued, and part of something larger than themselves.