Scout earns Gold Award with park upgrade project

It is the highest honor a Girl Scout can receive.

Cohron, who always has loved spending time outdoors, decided to incorporate her love of nature into the project that all Gold Award winners must complete by installing barbecue pits and trash cans at Herman Little Park, which opened in July 2012.

“I have been going to parks ever since I was little,” Cohron said. “I heard that a park near my house was being built, but they didn’t have enough manual labor, so a lot of volunteers had been helping install more trees and workout stations. I thought that was a great idea, and I decided to help.”

Cohron came up with a number of trash cans with the help of the park director, at which point she needed to find enough lumber, tools and volunteers to complete the job. She went to some family and friends for assistance, and they were happy to answer the call.

“I scheduled weekends to work on the project, and we got it done in a matter of three weekends, so about 10 days total,” she said.

Another major reason that Cohron chose to undergo this project is that it presented a way for her to make a lasting impact, particularly once the entire 25-mile greenbelt project is completed.

“I thought it would be a great opportunity to be a part of that,” Cohron said. “Parks last forever, and I just thought it would be something great for me to mark on history in my community.”

Before earning the Gold Award, Cohron won the Bronze and Silver Awards by taking part in projects with the rest of her troop. For the Bronze Award, she helped build a library in her old elementary school, and she achieved Silver status by holding a monthly activity day for residents at a local senior living facility.

Cohron, a Spring resident, currently attends the Hockaday School, an all-girl boarding school in Dallas, where she is a junior. Upon graduation, she plans on studying environmental science and photography at either the University of Southern California or the University of Miami.

A member of the National Charity League, she enjoys volunteering whenever she has the opportunity. Cohron is a regular volunteer during the summer at the Houston Zoo.

About Shelby Cohron
Age: 17
Occupation: Student
Community Connection: Spring resident
Fast Fact: Currently serving as stage manager for a school play

Chris Marshall is a freelance writer. He can be reached at neighborhoods@chron.com.