Amy Laresch, a junior at High School North, has earned her Girl Scout gold award, the highest award that a Girl Scout can earn, with her project, “Empowering Kids through Education,” which aimed to provide underprivileged kids in East Trenton with opportunities for learning through reading.
Laresch helped create the library at the Habitat for Humanity’s new learning lab, an after-school program that provides kids in the community with opportunities for instruction, group activities, and peer interaction. “When I heard about the learning lab, I was excited to get the chance to help improve their library because reading has been an important part of my life since my childhood,” said Laresch.
A big part of Laresch’s project was categorizing the books into different reading levels for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade. Laresch researched and produced a correlation chart for the learning lab to help the kids find books that are suitable for their reading level. She bought books for the library, as well as workbooks to be used during the learning lab’s summer program. She made educational posters to decorate the walls of the library and to teach the kids about literary genres. She also made cushions for the kids to relax on while reading.
Laresch organized a library celebration featuring a book scavenger hunt to help the kids become more familiar with the library’s layout and book levels. She read a few short stories from a collection to the kids, and afterwards they all wanted to read the remaining stories on their own.
“She enjoyed working on this project because it combined two of her passions: working with kids and reading,” said her mother, Dina Laresch. “She hopes she made a difference in the lives of these kids. The kids loved her and listened intently when she interacted with them. She has grown as a leader throughout her project.”
Throughout the project, Laresch collaborated with Kiya Green, the coordinator of the learning lab and Laresch’s project mentor. “She was such a pleasure to work with and made the task of organizing a library a totally enjoyable one,” said Green. “I truly appreciated her eagerness and dedication to putting together this library for the children. Our library has never looked better.”
Laresch earned her Bronze Award by helping to lead a second-year brownie troop. She helped plan the meetings and lead activities. She earned her Silver Award with her project “Angel Wings Awareness and Help.” Angel Wings is a foster care center for children with unstable conditions at home. Laresch led troop meetings for younger Girl Scouts, who helped her make craft kits and pillows for the foster kids.
Laresch financed her Gold award project through Girl Scout Hollywood Nights Dance, as well as contributions from her family. She lives with her parents, Tom and Dina Laresch, and her younger sisters, Julia and Katie. Tom coaches a basketball team that Amy and Julia play on.
Laresch joined Girl Scouts in first grade and has been a scout ever since. A member of Troop 70677, her leader is Louisa Ho. “Louisa is an amazing troop leader,” said Laresch. “She puts so much time and effort into Girl Scouts and always supports us. Her encouragement inspired me to pursue my Gold Award project, and I would like to thank her for everything she’s done for me over the years.”
