Westlake Sophomore Is Now a Golden Girl

Mikaela Gerring, a 15-year-old Westlake High School sophomore, completed her Girl Scout Gold Project earlier this month, creating a memorial to celebrate local veterans. Earning the highest honor available to a scout did not emerge overnight. Gerring has been developing the project since August of last year, and unveiled her memorial on Nov. 6 at Columbus Elementary School’s 11th Annual “Take a Vet to School Day.” But the process of saluting veterans began about a half dozen years ago, during the pandemic. The memorial itself is a bench engraved with the words “Thank You for Your Service” in the back, along with a flag retirement box, situated in front of Columbus Elementary, across from the school’s flag pole. “She chose this project as a way to teach future generations to express gratitude, connect with those in the community that have made sacrifices and preserve the history of our veterans,” explained Gerring. Christine Galbo, a fifth grade teacher at Columbus Elementary, and Alison Bergman, a Girl Scout Heart of Hudson volunteer and founder of Operation Cookie Drop , assisted the younger Gerring with the project. Gerring described her project as  a “lasting tribute our whole community can visit.” Examiner Media Examiner Media – Keeping you informed with professionally-reported local news, features, and sports coverage.