In Mansfield, Texas, 19‑year‑old Hannah Blank, a senior at Texas A&M University studying forensic science, was honored with the prestigious Gold Award for her two‑year project teaching American Sign Language (ASL) to Girl Scouts. The award, the highest honor a Girl Scout can earn, recognized Blank’s effort to bridge communication gaps for scouts, their families, and the broader community.
From Family Need to Community Service
Blank’s motivation began at home. Her younger brother, who has Down syndrome and is hard of hearing, struggled to communicate with family members. Determined to help, Blank started learning ASL in her freshman year of high school, joining an ASL club led by a deaf teacher. “Talking to her and getting to know her experiences really made me want to do something to help,” she said.
Seeing the impact of sign language on her own family, Blank expanded her focus to serve others. She launched a project that taught the ASL alphabet, common phrases, and even the Girl Scout Promise in sign language. Over the course of the project, she instructed 134 scouts from Tarrant County and other states, including Brownies, Juniors, and senior scouts.
Hands‑On Learning at Girl Scout Events
Blank’s lessons took place at a variety of Girl Scout gatherings. She led in‑person sessions at Badge Fest and coordinated virtual meetings with a troop in North Carolina. One notable event was a “Deaf Deaf World” night held at Tarrant County College, where participants navigated everyday tasks using only sign language, offering a realistic glimpse into the lives of deaf individuals.
“If we’re in the community, we need to communicate with everybody, and there shouldn’t be a reason why a Girl Scout has to turn down helping or selling cookies to somebody because they can’t communicate with them,” Blank explained.
Recognition and Impact
The Girl Scouts of Texas‑Oklahoma Plains highlighted Blank’s work in their “52 Faces of Community” series, noting the project’s national and global relevance, especially among deaf Girl Scouts in Puerto Rico and Qatar. Maria Gregorio, marketing and public relations coordinator for the council, said Blank’s initiative “helps peers build confidence and empathy toward those with differing communication needs.”
Blank was one of 16 scouts in her council to receive the Gold Award for 2025. The award is open to high‑school girls in grades 9‑12 who are registered as Girl Scout Seniors or Ambassadors and who address a clear community need.
Looking Ahead
Although Blank is no longer on cookie‑selling detail, she plans to remain an active volunteer and “big sister” within the organization. She hopes her work will inspire other scouts to consider service projects that promote inclusion and communication.
Blank’s story underscores how a personal family challenge can spark a broader community effort, aligning with the Girl Scouts’ mission to develop leadership and service among young women.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
