Ever since Peoria resident Charlie Unsworth, 17, was enrolled in a Montessori preschool, it sparked a passion for gardening and growing produce.

Her passion has grown since, and she now recognizes the importance of sharing this with younger students to encourage them to lead healthier lifestyles.

“I still have many memories of gardening at home and school,” Unsworth said. “I’m still in contact with classmates from my Montessori school, and I can remember how helpful it was to all learn the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables at a young age, and I wanted to share that knowledge with others through my Gold Award.”

The Gold Award is the highest honor available to high-school-aged Girl Scouts, requiring a minimum of 80 hours of work on a project that creates a sustainable solution to a problem identified in their communities.
Historically, many Gold Award Girl Scouts become leaders in their community, with 60% of Girl Scout alum currently involved in volunteer work, community service, or holding public office.

Unsworth decided to set up hydroponic systems at schools within the Washington School District for students to learn about gardening.

“By deciding to use the hydroponics system, I was able to also incorporate a STEM component for the students,” she said.
Unsworth started meeting with the hydroponic company, Tower Gardens, to learn more about implementing hydroponic systems at the schools to support the gardens’ growth.

“After I learned more about setting up the hydroponic systems, I compiled the information to give to the Washington School District Board,” she said. “The school district agreed to sponsor my project in return for me setting up and helping run the gardens.”

Unsworth soon realized that her project did not come without some bumps in the road, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

“While setting up at Road Runner Elementary School, we realized we were missing the pump and other parts for the hydroponics systems. We had to contact customer service to get the part which held up the install a bit,” Unsworth said. “At another school, I realized there wasn’t an electrical outlet outside for the safety of the kids, so I had to brainstorm how to get power to the hydroponic system.”

When COVID-19 hit, Unsworth was no longer able to visit the schools to assist with the gardens.

“I reached out to the teachers and school board,” she said. “Even though I am unable to visit and assist with the gardens, they reassured me that the students and teachers would be able to use the gardens.”

While becoming a Gold Award Girl Scout, Unsworth learned a valuable lesson along the way: “No matter how much you plan, you can’t plan for the things that go wrong,” Unsworth said. “I couldn’t plan for the missing pump or not having an outdoor power source, but I did learn how to think on the spot to keep the project moving forward.”

The most rewarding moment for Unsworth was the students’ reaction to seeing the gardens at their schools.

“On the first day I was setting up, I could see the excitement on the students’ faces,” she said. “This was the first time that I had ever seen kids excited about eating kale.”
Unsworth is the second person in her family to become a Gold Award Girl Scout and the third in her generational line to be a Girl Scout.

“This is my thirteenth year of Girl Scouting, and to finally earn the highest award possible, I now hold myself to a higher standard to go out and help others and show why I earned this,” says Unsworth.
Unsworth is currently a senior at Ironwood High School and will graduate in May 2021.

She is now applying to college and plans to attend NAU with a major in history education.

“Thanks to Girl Scouts, I now know how to make an elevator pitch and be a leader with more confidence,” she said. “If I hadn’t been in Girl Scouts, I wouldn’t be the young woman I am today.”

Editor’s note: Autumn Jarrett is an account executive at HMA Public Relations.