Utah Girl Scouts win essay contest and their prize goes to the moon.(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
SALT LAKE CITY — Two Utah Girl Scouts have received a badge that’s flying to the moon on Artemis 1 mission, which launched early Wednesday as part of a crewless spacecraft around the moon.
Girl Scout Victoria Moore and Junior Girl Scout Karissa Amante won “Girl Scouts to the Moon” essay contest. Girl Scouts of USA and NASA sponsor the essay contest.
The girls are two of only 90 essay winners nationwide. In addition to winning the essay contest, the girls will receive a new badge. The Space Science badge is unique as it is a passenger on the Artemis 1.
The Artemis 1 is the first in a series of planned launches back to the moon. While the rocket has no human passengers, it has Space Science badges and mannequins. This is all in preparation to send the first woman and the first person of color to the moon.
Girl Scouts of the USA is particularly interested in the Artemis mission, as its director is a former Girl Scout Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, who is the mission’s first female launch director. NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy was also a former Girl Scout.
“NASA has been an incredibly dedicated and enthusiastic partner of Girl Scouts, inspiring girls to pursue careers in STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] and aiding us as we champion girls’ interest in space exploration,” said Lisa Hardin-Reynold, the CEO of Girl Scouts of Utah.
Victoria and Karissa will receive their badges when Artemis 1 returns to Earth.