The Gold Award is the highest award a girl can earn in Girl Scouting. It’s a national standard that acknowledges a girl’s accomplishments, leadership, commitment, creativity, and personal effort to make the world a better place. Each Gold Award is a significant achievement in a girl’s life and an extension and compilation of all she has learned through her Girl Scout experience.

Mia Kish, driven by her passion for music and inspired by her personal experiences, launched the “VUSD Mobile Music Van” project to reintroduce elementary music education in the Ventura Unified School District post-COVID-19 pandemic. This innovative project has brought the joy and educational value of music directly to fifth-grade classrooms across the district, sparking a newfound interest in the arts among young students. Following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, many elementary schools faced cuts to their music programs. Mia, having benefited immensely from a music outreach project during her own fifth-grade year, understood the profound impact such exposure could have on young minds. Determined to provide a similar experience, Mia’s “music van” visited nine elementary schools, offering hands-on musical education. At each stop, the van, equipped with various orchestral instruments, became a classroom on wheels. Mia and her team of high school volunteers introduced the students to the symphony orchestra, detailing each instrument family. The highlight for the students, however, was the opportunity to physically handle and play the instruments—an experience many were encountering for the first time. The response to the Mobile Music Van was overwhelmingly positive. Teachers and students alike expressed their appreciation, noting the excitement and engagement it brought to their schools. Mia’s initiative not only introduced students to the world of music but also encouraged them to participate in the district’s strong middle school music programs. Mia Kish’s “VUSD Mobile Music Van” project exemplifies the power of youth-driven initiatives in addressing community needs. By merging her love for music with her commitment to service, Mia has created a lasting legacy that will inspire and educate young musicians long into the future.

Mia tells us, “One of the most important things I learned through this project is how excited young students are to try new things! At every school I visited, the overwhelming majority of kids were ecstatic to be in the same room as the instruments I brought with me, let alone be able to touch and play them. For many of the students, this was their first time being able to play any orchestral instrument, and the wonder and excitement in their eyes made it beyond worth it to spend my time teaching and instructing them. Because of this, I know that it is imperative that my project continues just as strongly after I have graduated, so that many more students are able to be exposed to the musical arts in such a positive way.”

For more information about the Gold Award and how Girl Scouts are creating positive change within their communities, visit here.