Local Girl Scout Taught 'Valuable Life Lessons' Creating Gold Award Project

WOODMERE, NY — A high school student from the Five Towns has been a girl scout since she was in kindergarten.

Audrey Sasso, a member of Girl Scout Troop 737, has been working on her Gold Award project throughout high school.

She built a small sensory garden at the Hewlett Woodmere Community Garden Learning Center.

She took on the sensory garden "because of its benefits to mental health for people of all ages and backgrounds and its ability to help pollinators continue to thrive after a decline in their population," Sasso told Patch.

It started with researching about plants and the various materials needed and which ones would be the "most effective in the space I had to build."

As the weather got warmer, she decided to use wood to build the five beds.

"Each flower bed would have plants corresponding to one of the five senses: taste, touch, sight, smell, or sound/hearing," Sasso said.

Her project came together with a team, including her friend Emily, who created a Instagram account: save_the_pollinators13. Other friends, who understood building a website, offered support, including adding pictures and links.

"I assembled a group of friends, my dad, who taught us to cut wood, and my troop leader, to help me construct the beds," Sasso said.

That was only the beginning of Sasso's expansive skills for her Gold Award project, as her public speaking efforts grew.

"I also worked to speak with members of the community at Rock Hall County Fair and Arts Below Sunrise," she said.

Sasso also connected with the Hewlett Junior Fire Department and was planned to speak to them about managing stress through nature.

"Working to earn my gold award has taught me valuable life lessons and allowed me to grow as a person and member of my community," she said. "The Girl Scouts have made a lasting impression on my life, and I am very grateful for all that it has taught me."