HURON — The only Girl Scouts award that had eluded Shelbey Hershman was confirmed earlier this week, when the 16-year-old was notitifed that she has earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award to be achieved in Girl Scouts.
Hershman, who has been a Girl Scout for 11 years, earned her Gold Award with her Huron Regional Medical Center Legacy Garden project.
In her submission for consideration, Hershman said it was her wish “to provide a peaceful and meditative area for patients, family members, staff and the community to go and reflect and relax. It also improved the park and made it more accessible for people in wheelchairs.”
 Hershman’s vision for this southwest corner of HRMC’s property was to create a winding, landscaped pathway, where one could sit and withdraw from the daily stresses. A place of reflection, not just on the past, but on the beauty nature provides, a beauty that refreshes and renews the spirit, lending hope for the future.
Upon contacting HRMC, she was introduced to her future mentor, Paul Rahn, a member of the HRMC Foundation, along with Tom Glanzer of NorthWestern Energy. HRMC and NorthWestern Energy became major contributors in both time, labor and funding.

After submitting her intentions, Julie Hoffman of East River Nursery, offered her services and together they came up with a viable plan. Hoffman got the ball rolling by hosting a freewill offering to anyone interested in touring her personal property.
Hershman’s goal was to raise $5,000 towards her project. She spoke before numerous clubs, organizations, radio stations, the newspaper, and social media to get her message out, and in the end was able to raise $7,500.
On Wednesday, Nov. 8, in extremely chilly weather, volunteers from the Center of Independence, Northwestern Energy, and HRMC, came together to put the finishing touches on Hershman’s project.
She is the first Girl Scout from Huron to attain a Gold Star award in almost 20 years.
“It’s a big honor for Huron,” said Stacey Hershman, Shelbey’s mom and Scout leader. “Only 5.4 percent of Girl Scouts actually reach Gold star. There’s a lot of work to it.”
Shelbey’s accomplishments reflect leadership and citizenship skills, foundational skills built through Girl Scouts. “I used patience, good communication skills, how to earn and manage money, create a budget and time management,” stated Shelbey. “My biggest goal was to bring the community together and to achieve the goal of making Huron a better place and to give back for all the past support I’ve received to earn my past and current award.”
“Earning the Girl Scout Gold Award is truly a remarkable achievement, and these young women exemplify leadership in all its forms,” said Marla Meyer, CEO “They saw a need in their communities and took action. Their extraordinary dedication, perseverance, and leadership is making the world a better place, and we’re honored to present Shelbey this award.”
Shelbey will receive her award at the council’s Honoring Excellence recognition event to be held on June 22, in Fargo, N.D.