Local Girl Scout earns national scholarship for 24/7 food pantry project in Oconomowoc
OCONOMOWOC, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A local Girl Scout’s mission to tackle food insecurity has earned her national recognition — and a $5,000 scholarship to help fuel her future.
Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast recently honored 16 members of its 2025 Girl Scout Gold Award class, celebrating young changemakers who took on big community challenges — from promoting youth advocacy to tackling unconscious bias and protecting animal habitats.
Among them is Alexandra Higbee of Oconomowoc, who was just named one of only 111 Girl Scouts nationwide to receive a $5,000 scholarship from Girl Scouts of the USA. The award recognizes her outstanding leadership in launching an around-the-clock Little Free Pantry at Lions Park, giving families a barrier-free way to access food essentials at any time.
Unlike traditional food pantries with limited hours and paperwork requirements, Alexandra’s pantry takes a “take what you need, leave what you can” approach — no questions asked. She teamed up with local partners like the Okauchee Lions Club, First Congregational UCC Church, and the Oconomowoc Junior Woman’s Club to secure locations, host food drives, and build community support for the project.
“I learned so much about what it takes to be a strong leader — planning, delegation, overcoming obstacles, and follow through,” Alexandra said. “Earning this scholarship is incredibly rewarding, and I’m so grateful for this opportunity. It will make a huge difference as I continue my education and nursing journey while competing in Division I cross country and track.”
Alexandra’s pantry has already had a meaningful impact, with her church collecting food each month and neighbors helping keep shelves stocked. She even wrote a guide published in the General Federation of Women’s Clubs News & Notes to help inspire similar efforts in other communities.
“Huge congratulations to Alexandra on receiving this well-deserved scholarship,” said Ana Simpson, CEO of Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast. “Her project is a powerful example of the lasting impact Girl Scouts of all ages can have in their communities. We are so proud of her accomplishments.”
This year’s class of Gold Award Girl Scouts from the Wisconsin Southeast council invested nearly 1,300 hours tackling issues like STEM education access, environmental sustainability, gender inequity in the trades, and the rise in youth screen time.
The Gold Award is the highest honor in Girl Scouting, with research showing that Gold Award alums are more likely to take on leadership roles, stay civically engaged, and gain skills that help them succeed professionally.
To learn more about this year’s Highest Awards recipients and their projects, visit gswise.org/highestawards.