DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — A local teen has been recognized with the highest honor in Girl Scouting after transforming a community space with creativity, compassion, and leadership.
Claire Tozer described her mural as ‘Walking with the Animals'.Â
Claire Tozer, a member of Girl Scout Troop 3274 and a 2024 graduate of Lutheran School Association, has earned the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award for a beautification project at St. Paul's Early Learning Center in Decatur. The award is given to high school-aged Girl Scouts who create sustainable, community-focused projects that drive long-lasting impact.
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Tozer led a group of volunteers in painting a vibrant hallway mural and building little free libraries to benefit young learners at the early education center. The mural features pairs of animals walking into Noah's Ark, with each animal labeled to help children develop word recognition and language skills.
"The change in the children's demeanor was almost instant when I started to paint the mural," said Claire. "Lots of parents and guardians also said they appreciate what I am doing with the little libraries and that their child is very excited to come back to look and learn about the animals on the walls."
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In addition to the mural, Tozer constructed book-sharing stations, offering young children free access to books and a space to grow a love for reading.
The inspiration for the project came after Tozer learned about the ongoing mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on children. According to the CDC, isolation during lockdowns significantly impacted childhood anxiety. Her goal was to create a more comforting and engaging environment for children attending the center.
"I learned that I could become a very effective leader when the time calls," said Claire. "I am usually too nervous to step up and take the reins on any project, but I learned that as long as I can muster up the courage to do it, leading is almost natural to me."
Tozer is one of just six Girl Scouts in central Illinois to earn the Gold Award in 2025.
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