As Ally Higbee (Oconomowoc, Wis. / Oconomowoc) returned to Valparaiso University's campus to begin her sophomore year last week, the women's track & field and cross country student-athlete did so after reaching a significant milestone over the summer months.
 
While the nursing major regularly represents Valpo well through two of the department's pillars – academics and athletics – this time Higbee's recognition came through her efforts in the community. She attained the Gold Award from the Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast and garnered the national Gold Award scholarship for her "Mini Food Pantry for Lake County" project. She was among just 111 Gold Award Girl Scouts across the nation, receiving a scholarship from Girl Scouts of the USA.
 
"I'm very grateful to be recognized," Higbee said. "There are a lot of people who have completed their Gold Award but maybe didn't get the level of recognition that I did. My mom stopped at her Silver Award, so it was a full-circle moment to work on this project with her and complete it."
 
In response to the growing issue of food insecurity in her hometown of Oconomowoc, Higbee launched a Little Free Pantry at Lions Park, providing families with a 24/7, barrier-free resource for essential food items. Unlike traditional food pantries, which have limited hours and require proof of residency, Higbee's pantry provides immediate access for anyone in need. She not only constructed and stocked the mini food pantry, but she continued to raise awareness about food insecurity by publishing a guide in the General Federation of Women's Clubs News & Notes.
 
Higbee was featured on two local newscasts, CBS 58 Milwaukee and FOX 6 Milwaukee, for her efforts. She was presented with her scholarship at a Milwaukee Brewers game this summer.
 
"The project looks similar to free community libraries, but instead of books, you can put non-perishable food items or hygiene products in," Higbee said. "People can donate whenever they want, and to pick something up, you don't have to show ID or tell anyone, you can just walk up to the box. Sometimes access to food pantries is limited because you have to show forms of address or ID or be 18 years of age. The free food pantry allows people to have access without any restrictions."
 
Higbee is continuing a family tradition through her participation in Girl Scouts, which she has been involved with since she was in kindergarten. Her mother, grandmother and great grandmother were all Girl Scouts.
 
"Girl Scouts has taught me a lot of leadership skills that I find myself using in sports and in nursing school," Higbee said. "Even when the skills aren't the same, the mindset is the same. The values are something that I want to instill in my family when I'm older. I'd like to raise kids through scouting, whether it's Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts, and carry those values out."
 
Valpo Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Vincent Walker was an Eagle Scout himself, so the two forged a bond around those experiences during the recruiting process.
 
"Girl Scouts has helped me see how everyone is of value to a team," Higbee said. "I'm not the fastest runner on our team, but I know that my skills come other ways through practices and workouts and doing my best. Cross country is a hard sport and there are definitely times where you have to put your mind over your body. Girl Scouts has taught me how to overcome obstacles, and that is something that helps when competing in college athletics."