Local Girl Scout Receives National Medal of Honor
Girl Scout Cadette Elisha Snyder, 14, of Northeast Ohio, was awarded the Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA)’s Medal of Honor for saving the life of her mother who was experiencing symptoms of hypoglycemic shock related to heat stroke. The Girl Scout Medal of Honor is presented to Girl Scouts who have performed acts of heroism beyond the degree of maturity and training expected for their age.
Elisha was awarded the Medal of Honor along with a congratulatory letter from GSUSA in a ceremony at the Rittman Library in Rittman, OH on Thursday, March 21. Girl Scouts of North East Ohio (GSNEO) Chief Executive Officer Jane Christyson presented her award.
Last August, Elisha’s mother, Angela, was experiencing symptoms she attributed to heat exposure from a family outing the day prior – feeling unusually cold and shaky. She awoke in the middle of the night with increasingly worsened symptoms, felt disoriented, and collapsed in the bathroom.
Elisha woke to the sound of Angela calling for help and found her mother in the bathroom, where she determined her blood sugar level had dropped dangerously low. Elisha recounts that she remembered reading that juice or candy were effective ways to quickly raise blood sugar levels. She rushed to her bedroom, retrieved candy, and helped administer care to her mother.
Once Angela’s blood sugar had risen and she was more alert, Elisha continued to assist by bringing her more food, which helped stabilize the blood sugar levels even more. Later, after seeking professional care, Angela would be diagnosed with Heat Stroke and Hypoglycemia after her blood sugar level tested at 54, on average she runs 130-140.
Elisha recognized the danger and thought quickly to save her mother from potentially going into a diabetic coma.
“Elisha’s courage and quick thinking to save her mother’s life exemplify the true spirit of a Girl Scout,” said GSNEO CEO Jane Christyson. “We applaud her extraordinary bravery and are proud to present her with the Medal of Honor from GSUSA as a testament to her exceptional character.”
Girl Scouts have been honored since 1913 for meritorious deeds that have helped save lives. Training in health and safety is a part of the Girl Scout program. A Girl Scout, because of the Promise and Law to which she has subscribed, is expected to be resourceful, skilled, and competent – to have presence of mind and to be of service to others. Each situation has many unique factors, and many things are taken into consideration to determine if an act is of unusual bravery beyond that which is expected of a Girl Scout.
Since its inception, GSUSA has continued to award this honor to girls. From 1998-2023, GSUSA has bestowed this honor on more than 500 Girl Scouts and GSNEO has had the pleasure to recognize 13, including Elisha, of our very own girls with this national honor.
March 26, 2024
