14-Year-Old Hannah Drake Builds Community Furniture for Silver Award Project
GOLDSBORO, N.C. — When 14-year-old Hannah Drake noticed a classmate in a wheelchair consistently being seated at the end of tables while his friends had to rearrange themselves around him, she decided to take action. The result prioritizes inclusion by placing the wheelchair space in the center rather than at the end.
Drake, a member of Girl Scout Troop One, completed the project as part of her Silver Award requirements, spending over 30 hours designing, building, and installing the table over the course of a year and a half.
Innovative Design Puts Inclusion First
Unlike traditional wheelchair-accessible tables that accommodate wheelchairs at the end, Drake’s design features the wheelchair space in the middle of the table. “We wanted people, even if they had to use a wheelchair, to feel included,” Drake explained. “So we put it in the middle so they don’t have to be at the end.”
The tables were constructed using donated materials from Builder’s Discount, with company representative Adam Cole providing all the wood, screws, bolts, and hardware needed for the project. The tables feature a clear water sealant with a three-year guarantee, ensuring durability for outdoor use.
Overcoming Construction Challenges
The project wasn’t without its obstacles. Drake admitted that she faced a steep learning curve, with the first part of the table taking five hours to complete in a single day. “I think it was definitely a challenge of learning how everything worked,” Drake said. “Even though we got the hang of it, the first set we made was very difficult.”
The construction process involved breaking two drill bits, dealing with bolts that were longer than needed, and mastering the coordination required for proper assembly. Hannah and her family members spent approximately three to four hours just cutting the lumber to specification.
Long-Term Community Impact
Drake plans to monitor the tables’ usage, particularly during community events in the area. As a student at a school located directly across from the installation site, she’ll be able to observe how the community utilizes her creation.
Hannah’s, donated wheelchair accessible picnic table is located at Dee’s Memorial Park, 403 NW Railroad St, Pikeville, NC 27863, and is ready for use by the community.
The project represents more than just furniture construction. For Drake, who has been a Girl Scout for 10 years, it’s part of a progression through the organization’s highest awards. She previously earned her Bronze Award and is now setting her sights on the prestigious Gold Award.
Support from Girl Scout Leadership
Miss Lily Thompson, co-leader of four Girl Scout troops serving girls from kindergarten through 12th grade, has been Drake’s mentor throughout her scouting journey. “I’m really proud of her,” Thompson said. “She had her mind made up from a little girl that she was going to get her bronze, she was going to get her silver, and she’s going for her gold.”
Thompson noted that while troop membership fluctuates as girls age and develop other interests, Drake’s commitment has remained constant. The troop currently serves 15 girls in Troop One, with additional cadets, seniors, and ambassadors across all four troops.
Looking Ahead
With materials remaining from the current project, Drake’s troop is planning to build additional tables as a group project. For her Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouts requiring an even larger community impact, Drake is considering surveying the community to identify other needs she could address.
“For my bronze and my silver, I kind of had an idea already in my mind,” Drake explained. “For my gold, I’m very much open to just anything that will be my gold. I’m definitely thinking about asking people in the community and asking people at school what they would like to see.”
Community Support Opportunities
Those interested in supporting future Girl Scout projects can contact local troop leaders or volunteer through the official Girl Scout website. Drake emphasized that community partnerships, like the one with Builder’s Discount, make ambitious projects possible for young people committed to making a difference.
The wheelchair-accessible picnic tables now stand as a testament to one teenager’s vision of a more inclusive community, where everyone has a seat at the table—literally and figuratively.
