Encouraging reading and faith

NASHUA, NH – The library at the First Baptist Church of Nashua was unorganized, underused and neglected for years. Girl Scout Marissa Hwalek decided to rectify the problem, not only organizing the books, but also adding to the collection and creating an online database and checkout system. Marissa Hwalek has earned the highest honor available to a Girl Scout in high school, the Gold Award, for her work.

Hwalek, 19, of Nashua, is a member of the church, part of Girl Scout Troop 10250, and a recent graduate of Nashua High School South.

Subscribe

Church Pastor Dr. Akum Longchar said "the church actually owns a lot of great books, but because there (was) no catalog or checkout system, members (had) no idea what's available or how to borrow them. On top of that, since the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of our members only attend church online via Zoom, meaning they are completely cut off from these physical resources. Because there was no digital bridge or system in place, the library just sat there unused."

Hwalek addressed the issue by reviving the church library.

"I requested book donations from church members to grow the library collection," she wrote in her report on the project, "added the books in the church library to an online database, organized the library space and made it more welcoming, labeled and organized the books to make it easier to find a specific book, created a simple checkout process, a simple renewal process, and simple return process, increased awareness of the library (through presentations, monthly church newsletter, church website), created church librarian training documentation, and trained church youth group members on maintaining the library."

Along with instituting the Dewey Decimal System for the books, Hwalek built a wooden box for book returns and created a training manual so church members can maintain the library's organization. She even made it possible for readers to leave reviews of the books they read. Hwalek enjoyed her woodworking classes in high school, and she was excited to incorporate her woodworking skills into this project.

Overcoming her reluctance with public speaking, Hwalek spoke at church services, recruited volunteers, and taught the community how to use the library and online catalog.

"It took a lot of work to get all the books into the online catalog, but there were many volunteers that helped," she said. "Volunteers seemed excited to learn about the online catalog and how to enter the books. It was fun teaching others how to do this. It also raised awareness of what books we have in the library."

Hwalek has completed all 13 years of the Girl Scout program, from kindergarten through high school, making strong friendships, going camping, and traveling. One highlight of her experience was attending the council's Global Leadership Conference in Rhode Island, an annual event which offers Girl Scouts a chance to learn about a wide variety of issues and ways to take action to help. Participating in the Girl Scout Cookie program helped her finance a troop trip to Savannah, Georgia, where she visited the birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of Girl Scouts.Marissa has earned all three of the Girl Scout highest awards: the Bronze Award, Silver Award, and Gold Award

● ● ●

Gold Award Girl Scouts don't just change the world for the better, they change it for good. The Gold Award is earned by girls in grades 9–12 who demonstrate extraordinary leadership in developing sustainable solutions to local, national, and global challenges. Since 1912, Girl Scouts have answered the call to drive lasting, impactful change. They earn college scholarships, demonstrate high educational and career outcomes, and are active in their communities.

Marissa Hwalek has answered the call to drive lasting, impactful change, and her Gold Award is a testament to her remarkable dedication to improving her community and the world.

About the Girl Scout Gold Award

•Gold Award Girl Scouts on average spend one to two years on their project.

•A Gold Award project must be sustainable after the girl's involvement ends.

•The average age of Gold Award Girl Scouts is 17.

•Since 1916, more than 1 million girls have earned the Gold Award or its equivalent.

•Gold Award Girl Scouts are entitled to enlist at a higher pay grade when they join the military.

•University research indicates that noting you are a Gold Award Girl Scout on a college application is influential in the admissions decision-making process.

•Fourteen young women from New Hampshire and Vermont earned their Gold Award so far in the 2025-2026 membership year as part of Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains.

•The Girl Scout Gold Award is the mark of the truly remarkable.

###

We are Girl Scouts of the USA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building girls of courage, confidence, and character.

Girl Scouts discover who they are, tap into the power inside them, and build the confidence to let it shine. Through programs from coast to coast and overseas, girls of all backgrounds and abilities come as they are to explore their passions, meet new challenges, and develop hands-on skills. They find their strengths in science labs and on hiking trails, at cookie booths and in front of city councils. Backed by millions of alums and a network of dedicated adult volunteers and mentors, Girl Scouts drive change to make the world a better place. Along the way, they uncover the tools they need to lead with joy, on their own terms. Join us, volunteer, reconnect, or donate.