For most of her life, 17-year-old Ella Shaffer has been surrounded by leaders who inspired, mentored and motivated her.
Now, she’s joining their ranks.
On May 8, Shaffer, a Savannah Arts Academy junior and long-time Girl Scout, will be one of two honorees recognized for exceptional leadership by the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia (GSHG) during their “Legacy of Leadership” breakfast, an annual event that raises funds to support Girl Scout programming, fostering growth and empowering girls.
In a competitive field of candidates, Shaffer differentiated herself through a series of achievements both in scouting and beyond, inspiring others by the example she has set since joining the Girl Scouts in kindergarten.
“Ella stands as the epitome of the qualities we aspire to instill in our Girl Scouts,” said Chelsea Simpson, GSHG’s community engagement manager. “She underscores the positive impact the Girl Scouts have on academic achievement, personal well-being, and the cultivation of a strong sense of self, positive values, challenge-seeking spirit, healthy relationships, and community problem-solving.”
Shaffer’s leadership skills, style and philosophy have been years in the making, dating back to her earliest scouting days when she witnessed the generosity demonstrated by the more experienced Scouts, who served as role models for the younger girls.
“We had a group of girls who were older than us and lead activities for us, like badges and things like that,” Shaffer explained. “And that is something I really, really, really enjoyed. Those are some of my favorite memories. I have done that for younger girls because I know how much that meant to me.”
The lessons those engagements imparted remain with her still, prompting Shaffer to develop a leadership philosophy focused on acts of service.
And it shows.
Her resume is rife with honors, awards and activities that reflect her desire to be the kind of Scout others will want to emulate.
“Leadership to me is not about being in charge of something,” Shaffer said. “It’s about being a good example for people to follow and helping people wherever they may need.”
Shaffer has surely done all that and more. Like the mentors she cherished as a child, she leads Scouting activities for younger girls, from Mad Scientist experiments at Camp Low to Irish dancing at Camp Tanglewood.
Her ambitious goals, both personal and professional, focus on making the world a better place. As a freshman, she committed to completing the Congressional Award Gold Medal by the end of her junior year. It’s no easy feat, considering just one of the requirements is 400 hours of community service, but she’s on track to achieve it.
Shaffer already earned the Bronze Award by collaborating with her Girl Scout troop to build three buddy benches for the Heard Elementary School playground to encourage kindness and end bullying. She clinched the Silver Award by creating an observational bee box to help protect bees. For the Gold Award, Shaffer proposed establishing a youth triathlon in Savannah, while also creating a plan other communities could use to host their own event.
“It’s a fun way to bring in exercise and show how important it is, so they get on the right path,” Shaffer said. “Pulling that together will take a lot of leadership, so I’m using many of the skills I’ve learned.”
As if that weren’t enough, Shaffer, who is taking classes at both Savannah Arts and Georgia Southern University, was recently inducted into the National Honor Society, which should serve her well as she pursues a career in either physical therapy or orthopedic surgery.
While the awards and recognition are nice, Shaffer knows firsthand the quieter benefits of being a Scout. Many of her activities have their genesis in scouting, including her volunteer work at the Pegasus Riding Academy. What began as a summer stint counseling special needs campers quickly blossomed into helping with barn chores before camp and has now become pitching in with horse care every Sunday.
“Girl Scouts has given me a great deal of opportunities,” she said.
But Shaffer and her troopmates haven’t just received opportunities; they’ve also created them. By design, most Girl Scout activities are girl-led, meaning the scouts themselves decide the trajectory of their troop experience.
For Shaffer and her friends, that means plenty of outdoor adventures. Together, they have backpacked 30 miles, canoed 15 days, camped, blazed trails and earned their Remote Wilderness First Aid certification, an honor traditionally reserved for adults.
“As a parent, I’m proud of my kid,” said mom Amy Shaffer, who also serves as troop leader. “I’m honored on her behalf. Ella has always been a go-getter.”
For her part, Ella Shaffer isn’t done yet.
“After graduation, my plan is to volunteer with the Girl Scouts,” she said. “I’ll stay involved, because I loved my time in Girl Scouts.”
Legacy of Leadership
On May 8, the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia will host the Legacy of Leadership breakfast. The event will feature Savannah Chatham County Public Schools Superintendent (and Girl Scout) Denise Watts as well as recognition of Girl Scout Ella Shaffer and a member of the community for their exceptional leadership.
The annual event helps raise funds to support programming for the Girl Scouts. In anticipation of the event, GSHG will showcase leaders in Savannah through a mentorship element with the Girl Scouts.
Companies or individuals who are interested in contributing to the event can purchase tickets or explore sponsorship opportunities by reaching out to Chelsea Simpson, GSHG community engagement manager, at [email protected].
Girl Scout 2024 Cookie Season
Beginning Feb. 9, Girl Scout cookie booths will open. To find a booth and purchase cookies, visit the Girl Scout Cookie Finder.
