MADISON – Reagan Blaylock, Katie Crocker, Katelyn Preus and Piper Swain have earned the Bronze Award in Girl Scouts by completing a playground project at their elementary school.

Piper is a fifth-grader at Rainbow Elementary School. Reagan is in sixth grade at Discovery Middle School.

Katelyn is also a sixth-grader at Discovery and is 12 years old. She joined Girl Scouts when she was in first grade. “In Girl Scouts, I’ve learned so much about camping and making things. I’ve learned how to communicate better and show empathy to others,” Katelyn said.

Ten-year-old Katie is a fifth-grader at Rainbow. Katie was been a Girl Scout since she was in kindergarten. “I learned that some things are not fun, and you just have to work hard and meaningfully,” Katie said.

Working to achieve the Bronze Award was important to Katelyn because of her hope to make a difference in her community. “Our leaders are very motivating, but I want to accomplish what I started and leave a mark at my elementary school,” Katelyn said.

Katie saw the Bronze Award as a challenge that she wanted to achieve.

The girls brainstormed for project ideas at Rainbow as a way to say ‘thank you’ for sponsoring Girl Scouts. “We presented the hopscotch idea to our assistant principal,” Katelyn said.

The girls bought concrete tiles, used glossy paint to color and label each tile, and installed them at Rainbow’s playground. “The kids at Rainbow now have another activity space to use,” Katie said.

By building the hopscotch pad, the girls extended the area for Rainbow students to enjoy recess and have some fun, Katie said.

For the project, Katelyn and Katie needed paint and sealers for the pavers that they would set in the ground. “When we put the pavers in, we used rakes and shovels,” Katelyn said.

In extracurricular pursuits, Katelyn was a member of Fantasy Playhouse Drama Club at Rainbow and participates in the Best Buddies program.

Katie’s parents are Beth and Andy Crocker. Beth is a stay-at-home mom and Troop Leadersfor Girl Scout Troop 708. Andy works at Dynetics.