Contact:
Kelly Misch
Communications Director
Chardon Local Schools
440.286.0409
CHS Senior Rebecca Fullerman Earns Girl Scout Gold Award
Service Project Gives Back to CHS Executive Student Council
CHARDON, OH (February 28, 2024) — REBECCA FULLERMAN, a Chardon High School senior and member of Girl Scout Troop #71166, exemplified initiative, leadership, and environmental awareness through the undertaking and successful completion of her very own brainstorm — the CHS Executive Student Council closet remodel.
This one-year endeavor, which launched in October 2022 and ultimately encompassed a nearly 87-hour investment, represented Fullerman’s Girl Scout Gold Award project and also doubled as her capstone project for earning the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce's Student Engagement Seal.
Key supervisors to the project included Mrs. Lisa Breier of Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio who served as assigned project advisor and CHS Spanish teacher Mrs. Carrie Korenke in the role of project advisor resource.
(l to r) Mrs. Breier and Fullerman; and Mrs. Korenke (Pastor Photography)
Troop #71166 is under the leadership of Mrs. Janine Ricketts (photo n/a).
THE JOURNEY
Fullerman’s remodel project was aimed at re-purposing and re-organizing the closet’s event supplies and maximizing the use of the storage space. Her primary objectives were creating less future waste that had been occurring through purchases of unnecessary supplies and promoting effortless setup and teardown for events.
"Before" images of the CHS Executive Student Council supply closet prior to Fullerman's remodel.
Using Resources Wisely
With a clean and functional space as her vision, Fullerman equally had a keen eye on using resources wisely — a component of the GS Law.
Hats stored in the closet now saw the light of day as free giveaways at the CHS new student picnic. Canvas totes in the closet were donated to the CHS CREW career-based learning program. Functioning decorative lights were wrapped with reusable, non-tangle rubber bands while non-working lights were taken to a recycling center.
Fullerman stated, “I tried to save as much of the contents as possible. I made it a goal that anything that we could not keep, I properly disposed of. Trash was my last resort. I made many trips to the Geauga County Go Green Electronic Recycling Center and Goodwill.”
Images of closet supply items — hats, totes and decorative lights — repurposed and recycled by Fullerman
Mathematics
Math calculations entered the equation as Fullerman sought to be both cost- and space-conscious when purchasing organizational bins from The Container Store in Beachwood.
Fullerman at The Container Store in Beachwood with a shopping cart full of organizational bins for the school supply closet
Fullerman explained, “The Container Store employees taught me a method on how to calculate how many of a certain object would fit in a box to maximize money and storage. The staff “thought outside the box” and was up for any challenge of finding storage for every unique item I brought in.”
Final Steps
In a later phase of the project, Fullerman and her team of volunteers placed matching labels on both the containers and closet shelves to help ensure sustainability of the revamped space. To further this goal of continued efficiency after she graduates this spring, she invited underclassmen to assist with and see first-hand the newly established method of organization.
"After" image of the CHS Executive Student Council supply closet following completion of the remodel.
As the close of the project drew near, Fullerman expressed she was pleased to already see the fruits of her labor.
She stated, “Seeing the bins being used during Homecoming 2023 set-up was very rewarding.”
Action photos of CHS Student Council decorating for Homecoming in September 2023.
RECOGNITIONS
Fullerman completed her Gold Award service project in October 2023. One month later, she stood before the GSNEO Council to present her project.
The Chardon Board of Education honored Fullerman at the Feb. 20 regular Board meeting.
Chardon BOE President Karen Blankenship presents Rebecca Fullerman with a Certificate of Recognition on Feb. 20.
When reached for comment by Chardon Schools District Communications following the BOE meeting, Mrs. Korenke stated:
“Rebecca truly showed her leadership abilities through this project. She planned, organized and executed this project from the beginning until the end. Thanks to Rebecca, Student Council will cut down on unnecessary purchases for future dances. It was a true pleasure working with her on this project. Well done, Rebecca.”
Fullerman will be honored by GSNEO at the annual GS Gold Award Event on June 29. This event will serve as her first pinning ceremony.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS from FULLERMAN
Fullerman wishes to publicly thank the many supporters and volunteer collaborators who helped make the success of her project possible. Her complete list follows after the photo...
Example photo of Fullerman with peers volunteering on the project.
Chardon High School Students: Payton Bertrand, Jordyn Fisher, Luke Fullerman, Gianna Giannetti, Mia Goodwin, Keely Jackson, Jen Kogovsek, Jake Maczuzak, Lainey Mardula, Briana Massi, Jillian Morrison, Madison Primc, Skylar Toth
The Container Store (staff)
(LaPlace in Beachwood)
Mrs. Armbruster
—Helped me secure the purchase order over the summer for The Container Store.
Mrs. Blackburn
—Took some of the excess materials and helped me repurpose them.
Mrs. Breier
—Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio assigned project advisor
Mr. Chenoweth & Mrs. Giddings
—Agreed to maintain the sustainability; Wrote a purchase order on my behalf to buy materials; monitored the (newly remodeled) closet during homecoming setup and teardown ‘23
Mrs. Goodwin
—Assisted me throughout the whole summer and was a reliable point of contact, helped me vacuum the closet.
Mr. Higham
—Unlocked the closet throughout the summer and provided supervision during work sessions
Mr. Kofol
—Provided the dimensions for the closet to give me a gauge of the space
Mrs. Korenke
—Wrote a letter of support and served as my project advisor resource.
Mr. Murray
—Resource and support throughout the Gold Award process; aided to make my purchase order; monitored the (newly remodeled) closet during homecoming setup and teardown ‘23.
Ms. Pavicic
—Helped direct me where materials should go that did not belong in the closet; Unlocked the closet many days after school for me.
Mrs. (Stacy) Tekavec
—Communicated during spring ‘23 as senior materials came in but the closet was not complete and was respectful of my process.
Ms. Zdesar
—Took excess materials (canvas totes) and helped me repurpose them
About "Beyond the Hilltop"
The Chardon Local Schools "Beyond the Hilltop" series spotlights Hilltopper students’ achievements and service projects pursued beyond the classroom and school-sponsored activities. Parents/guardians and students can submit their news to bit.ly/beyondthehilltopform