Inside the Award-Winning Girl Scouts “Four Pillars of Girl Scouting”: An UnoDeuce Multimedia Deucey Award Interview with Brenna West
If you’ve ever wanted to know what really makes the Girl Scouts tick—and why their videos keep taking home trophies—you’re in the right place. This year, at the buzzing UnoDeuce Multimedia Deucey Awards, Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan and their standout leader Brenna West scored the “Most Entertaining Video of the Year” for a production packed with energy, heart, and information. Think cookies, courage, and a lot more than crafts.
This blog takes you behind the scenes with Brenna, exploring how the “Four Pillars” video came together, what it means to the community, and why Girl Scouts are winning not just awards but hearts across Michigan.
So, grab a Thin Mint and let’s dig in.
Setting the Stage: Awards, Guests, and Anticipation
The Deucey Awards are always lively—bright lights, a crowd full of anticipation, and an undeniable community spirit. When Brenna West stepped on stage to accept the Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan’s award, the excitement was palpable. The emcee proudly introduced the final winner of the evening, celebrating their creative take on explaining what Girl Scouts really stands for.
The recognition didn’t just stay in the room. Online, the video quickly made waves across YouTube, Vimeo, and LinkedIn, engaging audiences far beyond the event.
Who Are the Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan?
For many, Girl Scouts are synonymous with cookies. But this chapter is far more than that. Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan has a strong presence across the state, offering programs that help girls grow in confidence, leadership, and real-world skills.
Brenna explained that while brand recognition was high, understanding was low. Most people could name a cookie flavor but struggled to describe the breadth of what Girl Scouts actually do. The “Four Pillars” video set out to change that.
Unwrapping the “Four Pillars” Video
The central question became: how do you distill a life-changing program into three minutes?
The answer was found in the Four Pillars of Girl Scouting:
Entrepreneurship
Outdoor Skills
Leadership and Life Skills
Financial Literacy
These core ideas became the backbone of the video, helping the team show that being a Girl Scout is about much more than campfires and cookies. It’s about preparing girls for success in every part of life.
Beyond Cookies: What Do Girl Scouts Do?
Brenna pointed out the common stereotype: crafts, camping, and cookies—the “three Cs.” But Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan reframes those letters into Courage, Confidence, and Character.
The organization gives girls opportunities to explore everything from robotics and coding to outdoor adventure and community service. Every badge earned is a step toward real-world experience.
Finding the Right Message: Why Simplifying Matters
With so many programs, the challenge was clarity. The team leaned on the Four Pillars to simplify the story. Instead of overwhelming viewers, the video gave a clear framework to understand the depth of Girl Scouts programming—told through the voices of both staff and the girls themselves.
Making the Video: From Brainstorm to Screen
The collaboration with UnoDeuce Multimedia made the creative process a joy. Brenna shared how the team’s openness to ideas and willingness to experiment brought the project to life.
Filming took place at Campacooa in Lansing, an ideal location to showcase both nature and community. By featuring voices from leadership and from the girls themselves, the video reflected the heart of Girl Scouts authentically.
Girl Voices Center Stage: Empowerment in Action
One of the most impactful parts of the production was centering girls’ voices. For Brenna, it was crucial that the girls themselves share their perspectives.
Whether on camera or behind the scenes, Girl Scouts stepped up, shared their stories, and embraced the chance to lead. These moments not only enriched the video but also gave participants real confidence and experience.
Girl Scouts on a Winning Streak: The Deucey Legacy
This award wasn’t the first—and it likely won’t be the last. Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan has now earned four Deucey Awards, making them one of the most celebrated repeat winners.
The recognition underscores how well their videos resonate with both the community and the broader public. Each win amplifies their reach and helps tell the Girl Scouts story to a new generation of families.
Community, Engagement, and LinkedIn
The Four Pillars video also sparked unexpected energy online. Staff members shared the nomination on LinkedIn, encouraging their networks to vote. Beyond views and likes, people learned new things about Girl Scouts, turning a contest into a teaching moment.
This organic promotion highlighted how much the community believes in the mission and how proud they are to be part of it.
The Super Bowl of Girl Scouts: Fall Recruitment
The work doesn’t stop at awards season. Brenna described fall recruitment as the “Super Bowl” of Girl Scouts. Over just a few weeks, the team visits open houses across all 34 counties they serve.
These events are fast-paced, but they’re also the lifeblood of the organization—bringing in new families, training leaders, and planting seeds for the future. Videos like the Four Pillars make it easier to explain the Girl Scout experience in a way that excites parents and girls alike.
Looking Ahead
Even after four awards, the team isn’t slowing down. With new troops forming, exciting events planned, and an ongoing commitment to empowering girls, Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan is ready for another incredible year.
Final Thoughts
The Four Pillars video wasn’t just an award-winning production—it was a tool for education, empowerment, and engagement. By collaborating with UnoDeuce Multimedia, Brenna West and her team created a message that resonates with families and communities across Michigan.
The takeaway is simple: Girl Scouts are more than cookies. They’re about preparing girls to lead, to dream big, and to succeed.
✨ Congratulations to Brenna West and Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan—your
