Catherine Gray of Signal Mountain wanted to help children express themselves through music. She worked with a local preschool to create a music wall and was named a 2021 Gold Award Girl Scout from Girl Scouts of Southern Appalachians.

Gold Award Girl Scouts are high schoolers who address issues they’re passionate about by planning and implementing a project that produces lasting change in the community and beyond. It is the Girl Scouts’ highest and most prestigious honor.

Catherine and her team gathered repurposed materials and used everyday materials such as scuba tanks and wind chimes in new ways once installed on a playground wall at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Preschool in Signal Mountain. The wall allows children to create their own expressions of musical sounds.

“Music is a universal unifier,” Catherine said. “People from around the world are united by their love and appreciation for music, and my project introduces children to this universal language.”

Her project aimed to foster imagination without restriction in the kids while also developing fine and gross motor skills and encouraging communication and cooperation. By the reaction of the children, her project is a success. “Children flock to the music center – they love it!”

When Catherine completed the project, she had been a member of Girl Scouts for 13 years. She had developed leadership skills all along her Girl Scout journey but was able to add a few more. “This project has taught me how to take charge and solve issues, as well as skills that I will use in the future such as communication, listening, and compromise. I also learned how to use power tools!”

Being flexible was key when she discovered there are many reasons that plans need to change and that it is important to be able to adapt to whatever situation arises. Catherine also learned how best to take constructive criticism.

A final piece of inspiration came through this experience that may influence her future. “Since building this project, I have decided to pursue mechanical engineering in college,” she shared. Catherine plans to attend the University of Alabama Huntsville. 

Congratulations, Catherine! Visit girlscoutcsa.org to learn more about the Girl Scouts.