Fiona Donovan, eighth grader at George Washington Middle School, has successfully completed her Girl Scout Silver Award project with the construction of a new Little Free Library near the playground at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Alexandria. The Silver Award is the highest award a Cadette scout can earn, second only to the Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting. To earn the Silver Award a Cadette scout must identify and plan a sustainable project to 50 hours or more, build a team, fund raise, implement the plan and engage in the community. Fiona started her project in 2016 and recruited support from friends, family, neighbors and her construction mentor Thom Willkomm. She decorated the library with reclaimed barn wood, a yellow interior and a tin-covered roof, and has two shelves — one for young readers and another for adults.
Fiona has been a Girl Scout since first grade, and has earned awards for Leader in Action, Program Aide, Community Service, and the Bronze Award. She has provided 82 hours of service in her community in the last two years. Outside of Girl Scouting she is a member of National Junior Honor Society and the GW Orchestra, active in her church youth group and a goalie for Alexandria Lacrosse Club.