Denham Springs, La. — Rylie Page of Denham Springs has been selected to receive one of only 110 national Girl Scout scholarships awarded across the country to exceptional Girl Scouts who have earned a Gold Award. This $5,000 honor recognizes outstanding leadership, community impact, and the highest level of achievement in Girl Scouting.
Rylie earned the Girl Scout Gold Award — a distinction achieved by fewer than 6% of Girl Scouts nationwide — through her project, Planting Sunshine. Working alongside her sister troops and the Sunshine Club in Baton Rouge, she led the construction of ADA‑accessible planter beds designed to promote inclusion, independence, and hands‑on learning for individuals with disabilities.
Inspired by her troop leader, Elizabeth Matherne, whose transition to life in a wheelchair never diminished her commitment to community engagement, Rylie created a project that continues to empower participants and encourage more inclusive spaces across the region.
“Receiving this scholarship is an incredible honor and an investment in my future as I pursue a career dedicated to serving others,” Rylie said. “My Girl Scout Gold Award project, which focused on creating ADA‑accessible planter beds and inclusive gardening opportunities for individuals with special needs, showed me that small acts of leadership can remove barriers and create lasting change. Through this experience, I discovered that inclusion and accessibility are about ensuring every person is valued, welcomed, and given the opportunity to participate. I hope my project inspires other Girl Scouts and members of my community to look for ways they can make a difference, because even one thoughtful act can have a meaningful impact on someone’s life.”
“Gold Award Girl Scouts become innovative problem‑solvers, empathetic leaders, confident public speakers, and focused project managers,” said Cassandra Porter, GSLE Chief Marketing Officer. “Rylie exemplifies these qualities. Her project demonstrated the resourcefulness, tenacity, and compassion that define Gold Award Girl Scouts, and this national scholarship recognizes the lasting impact she’s already making.”
A Girl Scout for 12 years, Rylie plans to pursue a career in criminal justice and continue advocating for individuals in need. Her achievement places Livingston Parish in the national spotlight, showcasing the strength of local youth leadership.
The 2026 Gold Award Girl Scout class addressed real‑world issues including environmental sustainability, racial justice, mental and physical well‑being, and gender inequality in STEM. Rylie’s work stands among these transformative projects, reflecting the leadership our communities — and our world — need.
For more information about Girl Scouts Louisiana East or to support leadership opportunities for girls, visit www.gsle.org.
