Mastic teen earns Girl Scout Silver Award for braille education game

Caitlyn Michiels, a ninth-grader at William Floyd High School in Mastic and member of Girl Scout Troop 2118, earned the Girl Scout Silver Award for her braille matching game, an interactive tool to teach children and teens the basics of braille.

The game, now a permanent fixture in the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library, will rotate among library branches to maximize community access.  

“I have a passion for helping others,” said Michiels, who is visually impaired, in a statement. “This project allowed me to advocate for a group that often doesn’t have enough resources, and I hope it encourages others to learn braille before they may need it.”  

The project, which includes a mobile game board and educational pamphlets about braille, reflects her dedication to creating accessible learning tools. Joe Maiorana, president of the library’s board of trustees, praised her work as an “inspiring example of how young leaders can impact their community.”  

Caitlyn’s efforts are both impactful and deeply personal, stemming from her own experience learning braille after being diagnosed with a rare eye disease.