Sofia Filigenzi of Oak Ridge noticed more children were experiencing loneliness, especially since the pandemic, and wanted to help them connect with peers and express their feelings. She put her artistic talents to work by writing and illustrating a children’s story that addresses common but often stigmatized childhood experiences such as loneliness, bullying, and expressing difficult emotions. She earned a prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award in 2024 for her Daisy Sisters from the Heart project.

Gold Award Girl Scouts are rock stars, role models and real-life heroes who address issues they’re passionate about by using everything they’ve learned as a Girl Scout to solve an issue. They plan and implement projects that produce lasting change in the community and beyond. It is the Girl Scouts’ highest honor.

The Gold Award is presented to girls in grades 9-12 who have planned and implemented significant projects that address an issue in their communities. The honor is awarded to fewer than 6 percent of Girl Scouts across the country annually. Most Gold Award Girl Scouts spend between one to two years on a project.

Sofia made dolls representing each of the characters in her story and held readings and discussions of her book at schools, churches, and with other Girl Scout troops. She also donated copies of her books to local libraries.

Sofia’s story provides lessons on how children can work through their challenges and support others as well. “Taking your pain out on others doesn’t fix the problem and can create a negative cycle,” Sofia shared. “My book shows how Girl Scouts stand for helping others even when they are hurt.”

Her interest in creative writing and illustration, combined with her own experience with loneliness as a child, led her to this project. The experience gave her the confidence to take creative risks and express herself to others. Click here to see artwork from her book, called “Daisy Sisters from the Heart.”

Sofia is attending Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) with future hopes to create graphic novels.

Congratulations, Sofia! Visit girlscoutcsa.org to learn more.