Girl Scouts Get Creative With Pallets
By Kristin Coulter
Leader, Girl Scout Troop 3573
They disassembled. They sawed and sanded. They hammered. They nailed. They planned and painted.
Who are these industrious creatures? They are 6th and 7th grade Cadette Girl Scouts working on their troop sponsored “He and Me Pallet Up-cycling Contest.” The contest was conceived as an innovative way for the troop to have fun while earning their Woodworking badge.
Each of the 14 troop members received two wooden pallets, courtesy of Park Hill resident Travis Jacobi, Tucci Fresh Produce. Mr. Jacobi has built several pieces of furniture using pallet wood so he was moved to support the girls when he learned of the contest.
The mostly 12-year old girls were challenged to work with their dad, their grandpa, their brother or another “He” that could help them learn the woodworking skills necessary to transform, or “up-cycle,” the wooden pallets into something new and useful. They were allowed to use other materials as long as they didn’t spend more than $20 in the process.
The creations were unveiled and the girls voted for the contest winners at their Jan. 8 troop meeting.
First place bragging rights and a $25 gift card to Hobby Lobby went to Ellie McWhirter of Morey Middle School, who with the help of her dad, Todd McWhirter, built a corner bench and made a cushion for it for a comfy place to sit on their garage roof-top retreat.
Second place and a $15 gift card to Hobby Lobby went to Lucy Francone of McAuliffe International School, who with her dad Stuart Francone, built an awesome low table that allowed Lucy to create a fun hang-out area in her room.
Third place and a $10 gift card to Hobby Lobby went to Fiona Goe, also of McAuliffe, who with her grandfather, Dan Colgan, built a very cool large working wall clock, which she will hang in her room.
Other entries include a nightstand complete with French-themed white board stickers that Morgan Ward (McAuliffe) made with her grandfather, Dennis Finnigan, and the firewood crib that sisters Aspen and Waverly Reeves (McAuliffe) made and beautifully decorated with painted vines and flowers with their grandfather Chip Reeves.
Besides learning valuable woodworking skills and earning a badge the girls built a lifetime memory working with a special “He.”