“My Gold Award project, ‘Stop Cancer: Attention to Prevention’ proves that you are never too young to make a difference.” – Gold Award Girl Scout Madelyn Sheffel
Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania would like to congratulate Madelyn Sheffel, Gold Award Girl Scout of Mercer County Troop 36642, who was selected as the winner of the Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) Gold Award Scholarship for our council! The GSUSA Gold Award Scholarship recognizes one outstanding Gold Award Girl Scout per council whose project demonstrates measurable and sustainable impact while addressing an issue of national and/or global significance with a $5,000 academic scholarship.
Gold Award Girl Scout Madelyn Sheffel, a graduate of Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, earned her Gold Award for her project “Stop Cancer: Attention to Prevention Education Program.” As a daughter of two cancer survivors, Madelyn wanted to educate her community on cancer prevention.
“Challenged by both parents’ near-simultaneous cancer battles, my cancer journey allowed me to learn about cancer firsthand, giving me an in-depth look at cancer’s destruction,” Madelyn said. “This experience ignited my desire to be a global agent for future change. My Gold Award project has given a quiet girl a voice to make a difference.”
The American Cancer Society estimates that 50% of all cancers could be preventable. Utilizing information and contacts from the American Cancer Society and Allegheny Health Network, Madelyn developed a program focused on educating the public about lifestyle modifications that can be made today to help decrease the risk of cancer tomorrow.
She constructed a traveling pop-up education center which included information about her 12-part program and Prevention Pledge. Her education center was taken to several Relay for Life and community events to spread the word about cancer treatment and research information. Each visitor was asked to complete a survey and a pledge to implement lifestyle modifications, allowing her to measure the impact of her project.
“Throughout my Gold Award journey, I’ve been privileged to hear countless cancer narratives, each one leaving an indelible mark on my soul,” she said. “These experiences have transformed me into a more empathetic and attentive listener, allowing me to connect with others on a deeper level. They’ve helped me to hone my communication skills, enabling me to articulate complex ideas and advocate for causes close to my heart.”
Through collaborations with other organizations, Madelyn’s outreach has extended beyond Relay for Life to schools, hospitals, and additional cancer organizations.
“My Gold Award project had such a significant impact that we are fundraising to create additional program centers and literature for distribution at events and schools,” she said. “In simple terms: more centers mean more potential for impact.”
Madelyn’s project has been presented to nearly 10,000 people and her social media campaign has gone global, reaching as far as Australia and Japan. She’s had the opportunity to speak on stages across the state and was even featured on a national podcast called “Sisters in Sustainability” to speak about how Girl Scouting has prepared her for her future.
“Although it started as my Girl Scout Gold Award idea, ‘Stop Cancer: Attention to Prevention’ is now an award-winning program that has grown beyond my initial dream,” she said. “Each step has been a lesson in resilience, compassion, and the unwavering determination to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients.”
In addition to earning her Girl Scout Gold Award, Madelyn was also named Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania’s 2023 Honorable Mention Girl Scout of Distinction, and she was crowned Miss Midstate’s Teen 2023, stating that her Gold Award became her platform for the Miss Midstate Scholarship Organization.
“I love being able to use the voice I developed in [Girl] Scouting to raise awareness for cancer across the state!” Madelyn said.
Madelyn was also recently recognized at the VFW State Convention as the Pennsylvania VFW Scout of the Year. She earned not only national recognition but a $1,000 scholarship.
Congratulations, Madelyn, on all of your remarkable achievements and for serving as a role model to Girl Scouts everywhere!
GSWPA 