[00:00:00] Walter: The Hearts of Gold Podcast is brought to you by the Grow and Share Network, produced by off the Walter Media Productions.
[00:00:13] Sheryl: Welcome to Hearts of Gold. Today we have Reagan with us. Hi Reagan.
[00:00:18] Rhegan: Hi.
[00:00:19] Sheryl: Can you tell us about your Girl Scout Gold Award project?
[00:00:22] Rhegan: I began my gold award kind of during my sophomore year of high school, but. Really started going somewhere my junior year. I was a gymnast for most of my life, and my dad’s originally from The Bahamas.
[00:00:38] So when we’d go to visit our family, I would sometimes have to train. So there’d be two different gyms I would normally go to to train. and I think the first time I went it was very eye-opening because I was used to these big gyms with pits and new equipment and that’s definitely not what they had. The equipment was very old.
[00:01:02] I remember one of the gyms, the floor is literally older than me. I think the floor is like 25 years old. The girls were amazing, though. They were so upbeat. They were so excited to be there and just learn. , but something that also stuck out to me was some of the girls didn’t have leotards and gymnastics leotards are such a huge thing.
[00:01:23] They allow the coaches to really see your body so they can give you the best like. Feedback during your events. And then also it’s really hot in The Bahamas and some of ’em were wearing like leggings and shirts, which definitely is not helpful in the heat. And for me, leotards were always something I could get.
[00:01:44] Like I’d feel like, Ooh, I see that leotard can I get it? And I’d normally be able to get it, but for them it’s. It wasn’t that easy, especially shipping leotards to a third year old country comes with a price, so a $40 leotard over here becomes $60 over there just because of shipping price. And some of the families either just didn’t see a reason to spend $60 in a leotard, or they didn’t have the money to buy a bunch of different leotards that are like$60.
[00:02:14] Sheryl: What outcomes have you seen from your project?
[00:02:17] Rhegan: Our main goal is to collect leotards, sports bras spandex and send them over there. So we have had two collections. The first year we collected about 150 leotards. Last year we collected over 550 leotards which was absolutely amazing when we do the donation.
[00:02:37] I go to the Atlantic Crown meet and I get to meet the gymnast. I talk to them This year I was actually able to go to one of their practices and help coach and really get to know the girls, which was so amazing. The girls are just so excited when they get the leotards like I was able to like be there when they got the leotards and they were just so.
[00:02:59] They thought it was the most amazing cool thing ever that they got all, like they could just get all these leotards just like right there, because even in The Bahamas, there’s nowhere you can really go and buy a leotard. , so their selection is very small too. It’s very hard to get a leotard, and then the selection’s very small.
[00:03:21] So every time I go there, so excited that I’m there and have all these new leotards that they can choose from and pick from. Of course, with like the sports bra and spandex that they’re mostly focused on the leotards, which it’s. So cool to be there when they get everything and see how excited they are and how happy and grateful they are.
[00:03:43] I always say it’s super interesting when I go over there because for me being here, I’m like, yeah, I’m just collecting some leotards and some sports bras and I just send them over there and it’s no big deal. But actually going there and talking to the girls, I realized. Impact I’m making for them. And it’s so amazing to, like, for me, this is like not that big of a deal.
[00:04:04] Like, oh, it’s just like some leotards, but for them, like it’s, it means so much.
[00:04:09] Sheryl: Yeah. Leotards are a very fun part of gymnastics. I, I would liken it for somebody who doesn’t understand. It’s kind of like the golf clubs for a golfer, it’s a critical component. And then from a girly side, It’s just so fun to have a new leotard and be able to use that.
[00:04:29] Girls practice multiple times a day and you don’t wanna wear the same leotard every day. They have to go through the laundry and everything else. So like, I can’t imagine how exciting those, those girls are when they receive those leotards.
[00:04:43] Rhegan: And this was the first year I actually got to be there when they got the leotards last year.
[00:04:47] We gave it to. So in The Bahamas they have a, the admission administrations of sports and specifically one for gymnastics. So we gave it to someone in that committee this year I was, because I went to one of their practices, I was actually. Able to be there when they’re getting there, like getting the leotards.
[00:05:07] And it was just so amazing. Like they were so excited. They were just looking at every single leotard, looking at the size and like, oh my gosh, like I get to take this one home. And I feel like people don’t realize in gymnastics, like getting a new leotard and wearing it to practice. It’s such a confidence boost.
[00:05:23] It’s like, Ooh, I just got this new leotard and I’m walking into practice and everyone’s gonna see it. And even though it seems like such a small thing, I remember when I’d get a new leotard and go into practice. I’d be so confident that day. And I feel like some of those practices were my best practices.
[00:05:41] Because I just felt so confident and excited to have my new leotard and show it all and do all my skills. So amazingly I wasn’t able to go to another practice when they were wearing the new leotards, but I hope it was the same feeling for them when they got to wear them in practices.
[00:05:59] Sheryl: How did you get the word out about your collection efforts to clubs back here in the US?
[00:06:05] Rhegan: We, at first, we emailed so many people like. Emailed hundreds and hundreds of gems. Of course, we didn’t get replies from some and then some, they’ll send things from time to time. My parents and I, I post on our social media. I probably should. Post more, but we try and get it out as much as possible.
[00:06:28] I also have a board for the nonprofit because we are an official nonprofit, so my board members will also try and get the word out. I live in Sarasota, Florida, and our magazine actually interviewed me. Article was written in and published, so that got the word out there. And then also at the Atlanta Crown meet, at the opening ceremony.
[00:06:51] I normally make a speech. And we also get some partners and new interests. From there, we are always working to find new partners, so we’re always sending out emails, trying to see new people are interested. We also try and reach out to some meets and see if I can partner with meets and once again, go there, make a speech and see like just being there if someone’s interested.
[00:07:16] Recently, actually, we went to the gas meet. This is like in St. Pete. So it’s like a 40 minute drive. And that was a great networking for us. We were just, me and my dad went and we just talked to a bunch of people, kind of got the word out. And we may possibly be expanding some new countries later this year.
[00:07:36] How exciting. We may expand to Jamaica St. Vincent Grenaded. And it’s just so exciting to possibly like go because we’re collecting so many leotards at this point, and if I can help more gymnast, . I would just love to.
[00:07:52] Sheryl: What is the international component of your project? What was that like and how did that work?
[00:07:57] Rhegan: I’d say it’s probably the hardest part shipping the leotards because that involves like, not the government, but like almost, you have to make sure you’re shipping it correctly, make sure it’s addressed to the right person. It’s very, it makes it a lot more difficult than just like shipping something in the United States.
[00:08:18] And so with the Atlantis Crown meet, Cindy and Brent Gymnastics host that, and they have been amazing to work with, and they ship all their equipment. for the meat out from Tampa. So in December we took a huge crate of our leotards and we like we went up to Tampa and they shipped it with all of their equipment, which made that so much easier cuz they had all that.
[00:08:51] And then any other leaders that we got at the, after that, I took in a suitcase. We took an extra suitcase and we took it with us to The Bahamas. And then it was so amazing cuz we got so many more donations at the actual meet. So other people kind of did the same thing, but they just brought two or three leotards in their backpack and then we got a lot more donations that way.
[00:09:17] I know one of the new gyms we are hoping to work with later this year or next year. They actually come to the United States or head like a head coach comes to the United States a lot, so they’re like, If you have the leotards for us, we can make it work while I’m over here. So then you don’t have to worry about the international shipping component because that definitely is the biggest barrier.
[00:09:43] I feel like once we get the leotards and then we’re just gonna have to more so research each country and figure out what we have to do to get the leotards to that country correctly, because of course we. Want the leotards to be like dropped somewhere and then the gyms and gymnasts not getting the leotards.
[00:10:03] Sheryl: You’ve talked about your team members and you’ve talked about challenges that you’ve had and the successes, which of course is actually the delivering the leotards. Are there other high or low points that you’d like to share with the audience?
[00:10:16] Rhegan: I wouldn’t say it’s like super difficult, but it was more time consuming than I realized.
[00:10:21] Girl Scouts has a website , which makes it easier, but you have to go step by step. You have to get a lot of approval. I would say getting my board together was one of the harder parts, but once I got that together, that was very helpful. And then just, I know at the end of my Golden Award I thought I did everything and I submitted it and then our council came back and was like, actually, we need this, this, this, this, and this for you
[00:10:46] and I was like, oh no. So definitely then having to go back and rethink that, you just have to be so thoughtful with your Golden Award. And I like, I’ve had this plan. But somehow helping the Bahamian gymnast since I was like 12, the first time I visited these gyms, and I was like, I wanna see if I can do anything.
[00:11:07] Even if it’s like, bring me a few of my old leotards and I had no idea it’d turn into. This being my Golden award and this turning into a nonprofit, but going through the gold award process, like it really made me think through everything and be so much more diligent with the like turning it from my idea to like actual reality.
[00:11:31] But then, Also becoming an official nonprofit. That was definitely difficult cuz then that’s working with like the Florida government and the actual government and the i r s and I knew like nothing about that. So I had to work with like a lawyer. And try and get all of that going. And then that’s just a waiting game because you submit the things you need to submit and then it’s just like, okay, we’ll respond to you in like two to six months.
[00:11:57] And then you’re just like waiting for something to come in the mail. You’re waiting for email from them to go to the next step. And then they’re like, okay, give us two or three more months. And then it’s just another like waiting game. So that was definitely a bit frustrating for me cuz I was like, I just wanna start my nonprofit and get running and going.
[00:12:17] And that was definitely like, ugh, like I have to keep waiting. Like this is what I need to do. And then creating our website, I know. At first, we, the first version of it, I was like, oh, like this is like nice, but I don’t really like it. And then we had to like, we hired two different people to create the website and the first one I wasn’t really happy with.
[00:12:40] So then we hired someone else. And then that’s just a lot of. Communication back and forth. I think I definitely underestimated the communication that comes with starting a nonprofit and it’s always something I’ve been a little bit slower with, and I feel like starting this nonprofit, it’s just become more apparent.
[00:12:59] So it’s always something I’m trying to work on, but I’m so happy with like everything we’ve been . Able to do.
[00:13:05] Sheryl: Reflecting back on all of the opportunities that you had, increase your skill levels in those different areas. How have you seen yourself continuing to use those skills since you’ve finished your gold award?
[00:13:19] Rhegan: I feel like I’ve always been a decently organized person, especially when it comes to school. But I feel like in different parts of my life I’ve become even more organized because like I have to be I have a nonprofit, I still have school, I have a job. So I really need to be organized. And I feel like definitely going through the gold award process because they want as many details as they can get from you.
[00:13:42] Like they are very much detail and oriented, very focus on the small things. It’s definitely translated to other things. I’m like, I really need to think this through. Make sure there’s everything there. And then also I feel like I, when I first started this, I felt like I had to do all of it on my own.
[00:14:02] Like I felt like everything had to be on me, and it’s definitely helped me realize I have a board for a reason. My parents and family are here to support me. So I think that’s also translated and I’m like, I don’t have to do everything alone, especially when it’s a lot or hard for me. I have people around me to support me and help me which has definitely been great cause I’ve always definitely been a person that’s like, I want to do all this, and then I just forget
[00:14:29] there are people around me to help me and I don’t want to do everything on my own. And creating this nonprofit and going through this process has, has definitely made that very. A parent because I was definitely trying to do everything on my own at first, and that is just not sustainable. That’s not gonna work.
[00:14:47] And so it definitely opened my eyes and made me realize like there’s no reason to do everything alone. When you have people that are willing to help you and they’re right there holding your hand which just has been great.
[00:14:57] Sheryl: When you were a gymnast, you competed at the elite level so much so. When you were younger, you moved from St.
[00:15:06] Louis to Florida specifically for gymnastics. Yet you stayed in Girl Scouts. What made Girl Scouts important to you? That even with a move like that and a focus on gymnastics, which took a lot of time, that you remained a Girl Scout.
[00:15:23] Rhegan: I joined Girl Scouts I think in kindergarten or first grade. I was definitely a daisy though when I started, and I absolutely loved it.
[00:15:32] I love my, my troop. We’d go on camping trips and meet so many other girls and we’d do all these activities. Especially as a young girl. It meant so much to me to have like this little sisterhood and then also in small different ways helped the community. I remember for Bronze Award, bronze Award, we did a book drive.
[00:15:58] So we collected all these books and then together we went to this preschool and we read to the kids and I absolutely loved it. And I realized Girl Scout was more, I mean it is very much your sisterhood as your troop, but it like just gave me so much opportunity and it made me realize like I can give back to my community so much more.
[00:16:19] Cause I remember for one of our patches too, we organized this tea. for the girl. These girls in our community. We went shopping with them, so I think we went to like Macy’s or something like that. We went there, we picked out outfits for them and like we did this with them. So all of us had like a buddy and we got to go to Macy’s with them and pick out outfits.
[00:16:43] And then we threw a tea party and like I think our moms more so took over the etiquette part. So like all of us learned tea party etiquette and it was so fun. And I think doing all these different things for our community from a young age stuck with me so much. And then moving, I, at first I did stay with my troop remotely, so we would do like zoom meetings or like FaceTimes.
[00:17:10] But soon we realized this wasn’t gonna work. I actually ended up completing my civil award with my old troop when we first moved up. Be able to go to St. Louis a lot more, so it wasn’t as difficult. And for that one, we taught a bunch of elementary. Students about the importance of bees in our ecosystem, in our like environment, and we’ve got to watch the Bee movie.
[00:17:33] Then we did a bunch of arts and crafts and once again, like all these different projects we did just really stuck out to me and that always, like I’m very much not outside person. I like inside away from bugs, but somehow I always loved our camping. Some, like I always loved it meeting new people, roughing it for like two days.
[00:17:55] By the end of the two days I was definitely ready to like go back home. But I still really enjoyed myself and I felt like it was definitely something I wanted to continue. And then I also knew once I was in high school, I could start my golden award and I did . Have a few ideas. Like I always knew I wanted to help the Bahamian gymnast, but I was like, do I want this to be my Golden award?
[00:18:17] . And so I did have a few different ideas, but that turned into my goal into my gold aware and I just felt like Girl Scouts is such a big support system outside of your troop, but you have your troop, your troop leaders, your council, and I’ve made just so many friends through Girl Scouts. It’s just been amazing and even as I get older, I definitely don’t participate in it quite as much as I did when I was little.
[00:18:46] But I still go to like our troop meetings. I still sell cookies and even as I’m older sometimes I’m like, Ugh, like this is annoying. I’m still like so grateful that I’ve been able to be a Girl Scout. I met so many friends through it. I’ve been able to just serve my communities and like different ways that most people haven’t.
[00:19:06] And it’s just such a cool like group or community to be a part of for so long.
[00:19:13] Sheryl: What are you planning for your future?
[00:19:15] Rhegan: So I am going through the college process right now. We’re waiting for a few more schools. I will be going to college in August. I’m not really quite sure where with gymnastics. I was constantly injured.
[00:19:27] I was like that gymnast. I’d walk in with a different like. Cast or boot or something like I’d always be walking in with a different injury and my teammates would be like, what is it now? Reagan? Like, I was just always injured, so I was always at doctor or surgery like office, so I definitely not wanna go pre-med, possibly come orthopedic surgeon.
[00:19:48] I was just around that for so long with gymnastics and I think through Girl Scouts I realized I just wanna help. . I love helping people and being a surgeon. I know I have a bunch of gymnast friends and other like athletic people that are in sports and have had to go to the orthopedic doctor and get different procedures done, and I’ve seen like the, like it’s definitely.
[00:20:20] Tough being injured and it very much sucks. I’ve gone through it so many times and it’s very difficult to be away from your sport during that time. But then, The joy you have getting back to your sport and feeling healthy and okay again, like I’ve seen that so many times. We so many different people and I’ve experienced it myself, and I would love to be able to help people feel that joy of getting back to their sport and not feeling that pain and that joint anymore, and just being so excited to be there and get back and be 100% again.
[00:20:57] So hopefully eventually I’ll become orthopedic surgeon.
[00:21:00] Sheryl: Is there anything else you’d like to share with the audience?
[00:21:03] Rhegan: Doing your gold award is such an amazing experience. It’s work. It’s definitely work, but. Being able to help other people and seeing how you impacted them is just so amazing. It trumps every single thing.
[00:21:20] I’d say definitely start early because my mom was pushing me to start my sophomore year and I was like, I can just do this my senior junior year, but it takes time. You don’t realize it. But I also got, I didn’t have to stress about it. Like it takes time, but I also wasn’t like, Ooh, I really need to do this today or else like, it’s not gonna happen.
[00:21:42] As I’d say, start as soon as you can. But I’d say doing my golden award and being able to help the gymnasts and get back to gymnastics, which gave me so much, and being able to see gymnastics impact other gymnasts it’s just been so amazing. I’d say I’m so grateful for this whole experience and opportunity I’ve been able to go through.
[00:22:13] And starting my nonprofit, even though it’s been very difficult and definitely made me think very differently, cuz it’s like a business and I am 18 years old. I’ve never done anything close to running a business. So it’s definitely like, Made me open my eyes, but I am so grateful for this. I think it will definitely help me in the future if I ever wanna open my own business.
[00:22:38] I’ve done something and it’s like all thanks to going through doing my golden award, and I am just so grateful for the opportunity to do it. And then also, other gymnasts and help different communities that a lot of people didn’t even think needed help. And not saying they need my help, but like it’s just a little support system they now have through me, which I just absolutely love.
[00:23:06] Sheryl: How do you make your s’mores?
[00:23:08] Rhegan: I’m a very picky eater. I take apart my smores, so I eat the Graham cracker then I eat the milk chocolate and then I roast my marshmallow and then eat that by itself. Very sadly, I never liked all three of them together by I will eat them, like kind of together.
[00:23:29] Sheryl: Thank you so much for joining us today.
[00:23:32] Rhegan: Yes, thank you so much for having me, allowing me to share all this with you.
[00:23:36] Sheryl: Make sure to click follow or subscribe so you always know when new episodes are released. Empower your passion and conquer your challenges.
[00:23:48] Walter: The Hearts of Gold Podcast is brought to you by the Grow and Share Network produced by Off the Walter Media Productions.
[00:23:54] Thank you for listening and spreading the word on what we do. If you want to share your story of how you earned your goal award, reach out and send an email to growandshare@outlook.com be sure to listen to the newest episodes on your favorite podcast app, as well as view the full video episodes on youtube.com/ SherylMrobinson.
[00:24:15] That’s youtube.com/sheryl, the letter m, Robinson. Take care and we’ll see you next time.