Ripley, MS – Rachel Duncan, a 2024 graduate of Ripley High School, has made a significant contribution to her community by installing a sand volleyball court as part of her Girl Scout Gold Award project. The court, now a valuable asset to the area, offers a dedicated space for local children and residents to play volleyball.
Duncan, who has been passionate about volleyball for six years, played club volleyball for My Bad Volleyball and Core Volleyball, earning numerous accolades including awards for most kills, most blocks, highest team GPA, Region 1 4A honorable mention, and the MS Coaches Volleyball All State Academic Team.
As she plans to attend Ole Miss next year to major in Allied Health with aspirations to become a Nurse Practitioner, Duncan sought to leave a lasting impact on her community through her Girl Scout Gold Award project. The Gold Award is the highest honor a Girl Scout can achieve and requires a project that benefits the community and continues beyond the initial effort.
“When brainstorming ideas for my project, I wanted to address a community need,” Duncan said. “My mom suggested a sand volleyball court, and I knew immediately that it was the perfect project. There were no volleyball facilities in Ripley or Tippah County, and I wanted to change that.”
Duncan collaborated with Mrs. Elizabeth Behm on location and fundraising ideas and received support from Ripley Mayor Jon Grisham to ensure the project’s approval. Through persistent fundraising efforts, she raised over $10,000 from local businesses. Her father, Matt Duncan, and his company JM Duncan Construction, built the court, completing the project in about a week.
In addition to the volleyball court, plans are underway to add a shade structure with picnic tables and a sign to thank the sponsors.
“A special thank you to these people for helping me complete the project: Matt Duncan/JM Duncan INC, Elizabeth Behm, Mayor of Ripley Jon Grisham, and Jenny Jones, Girl Scout Director,” Duncan added.
The new sand volleyball court stands as a testament to Rachel Duncan’s dedication to her community and her leadership as a Girl Scout, providing a much-needed recreational space for Ripley residents.
