Brittany LaVon Mayfield, a senior at Noblesville High School, has earned her Girl Scout Gold Award, the equivalent to the rank of Eagle Scout. Mayfield is the daughter of Paula and the late Terry Mayfield.
Her project, YOUnique, was given to third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students at Noble Crossing Elementary School with the hopes of extending this to other schools in Noblesville.
“I created a presentation in which I address the dangers and how to prevent bullying, drugs, and substance abuse while also expressing the importance of being yourself in order to lead happy and healthy lifestyles,” she said.
In addition to her presentation, Mayfield left bookmarks with students containing 24-hour hotlines and websites they could visit for help and support.
“I wanted to speak from the heart and answer as many questions as possible, and especially stress the point that the children can always, no matter what age, go back to their counselor for help,” she said.
Mayfield said her inspiration for the project came from her elementary school counselor, Terri Park, who also is the counselor at Noble Crossing. Mayfield went to Park to see what kinds of issues existed inside the elementary school setting that she could focus her project on and help with.
“After some discussions, stories and tears, we both decided that I needed to talk to these kids about these issues and encourage them to always know they could talk with her,” she said. “There are way too many stories, local and far, about students who have been bullied past the breaking point, or underage drug and alcohol use that broke our hearts and could have been prevented if only the students knew they had someone they could depend on, go to, and talk about what was going on.”
In addition to being a Girl Scout member for 12 years, Mayfield is involved in 4-H, Students Against Cancer, dancer at the Pink Slipper, National Honors Society, NHS varsity dance team, Athletic Leadership Council and a partner in Noblesville’s first Unified Track Team.
Mayfield plans to attend Ball State University and major in education. She said she would like to become either a middle, elementary or special education teacher.
“I also plan to become a lifelong member of Girl Scouts with my other troop members,” she said. “I started when I was in kindergarten for fun, but I have enjoyed the badge earning, camping trips, relationships, community involvement, and of course selling of cookies, ever since.”
