IMAGE GALLERY: Local Girl Scout Goes for the Gold

Westborough High School Senior, Amanda Borglund, is one of the few Girl Scouts in America earning her Gold Award. This prestigious award is only attempted by 5 percent of the over 2 million Girl Scouts across to the country.

The Gold Award is an open-ended project that must fulfill a need within the community and be something the scout is passionate about. Borglund created a one week theater camp for young teens, free of charge, that would teach the basics of acting and theater production.

“I did the Gold Award because I picked something that I love, and I love theater,” Borglund said.

Borglund credits her two major hobbies, Girl Scouts and theater, with helping her feel comfortable being herself. She said, “yeah, I’m a Girl Scout and I’m proud.” She said that being comfortable with one’s self is something she wanted to share with others.

Beginning with Brownies in the second grade, Borglund has been in Westborough scout troops for ten years. During the growing pains when most young girls drop out of their troops, Borglund’s mom influenced her to stick with it and to go all the way.

The Gold Award is the culmination of all she learned in scouting. She must receive approval of her project from the Girl Scout council. She must also log over 30 hours of leadership work and 40 hours of career exploration. At that point, she can begin her final project.

Borglund created a project that would be a challenge. She and 30 young teens met for five hours each day during April school vacation week to learn about theater. At the end of the week, the students put on a Friday evening show, Aladdin Jr. Putting together an entire show took many hours of planning and pulling resources.

Troop leader Judy Wilchynski explained how the community came together to make the production happen. She said Borglund raised over $500 to buy the scripts and copyright to the play. The money was donated by the Rotary Club of Westborough, The Westborough Athletic and Social Association, and the Westborough Fine Arts Education Association. The space that she used was shared with David Jost, Coordinator of Fine Arts for Westborough Public Schools. The Westborough Players Club and the Westborough High School theater department donated the costumes and props.

Wilchynski said she knew how talented Borglund was, but she was proud to see what Borglund showed of herself during the project. “She blossomed and shined with her leadership, ability to keep the kids’ attention and get their respect.” 

Even though this project was put on to earn her Gold Award, Borglund said there was more to it. “It’s more about the kids than anything,” she said.

She said she wanted to give young teens a week to experience theater in a way they might not have otherwise. “I want to help them feel like they can be themselves,” Borglund explained, “I see a lot of myself in them, and I like that.”

Borglund graduates from Westborough High School in June. She plans to attend Lesley University in Cambridge where she has received a merit scholarship. Her goal is to become an English and drama teacher.