Alumna Spotlight: Lily Larson

Since 1995, the Mission of American Heritage Girls has been to build women of integrity. While the AHG Program targets those in girlhood, the sincerity and faith-filled spirit that is nurtured and grown through AHG continues as girls develop and mature into women.

MEET LILY LARSON

LILY IS A PHOTOGRAPHER, STUDENT, STARS & STRIPES AWARD RECIPIENT, AND AHG ALUMNA.

Lily joined Jacksonville-area American Heritage Girls Troop, FL1412, as a Pioneer. She stayed in the program throughout her junior high and high school years, completing five years of AHG in the Pioneer and Patriot Program Levels. Before graduating, she earned her Stars & Stripes Award after completing a service project for Hope Therapy, a non-profit that offers equine assisted activities and therapy programming for children and adults in Middleburg, Florida. As so many Stars & Stripes Award Recipients note, this project, along with the time she spent volunteering with her Troop, opened Lily’s eyes to what an incredible gift it is to serve.

“Thanks to my time in AHG, I learned how to become generously servant-hearted,” said Lily. “AHG gave me an opportunity to see where my service goes and the effect it has on people’s lives. To me, serving others gives me purpose and adds value to my everyday life.”

As an American Heritage Girl, Lily enjoyed having fun in the outdoors with Troop friends, being creative, and earning various badges along the way. Like so many AHG Alumnae, Lily looks back on her years in AHG as a time where she made true, Godly friends. “My Unit was incredibly tight-knit which allowed for deep conversations during our time together, and also lots of belly-laughter,” said Lily. Thanks to social media, Lily and her fellow alumnae are able to stay in touch and celebrate life’s milestones, like graduations, weddings, and more— together.

Today, Lily runs her wedding and portrait photography business, Lily Larson Photography, while she earns her degree from Florida State College of Jacksonville, and nannies for a local family. Through her camera lens, Lily seeks out beauty and light, capturing some of the most joyful moments in the lives of her clients. As a business owner, caregiver, and student, Lily relies on the confidence and leadership skills she learned during her time in AHG to succeed. “I was able to learn just how capable I am to achieve goals that seem beyond my abilities. I often reflect on my time in the program and the way it shaped who I am today.”

Most importantly of all, though, is Lily’s steadfast belief in God—a faith she fostered during her most formative teenage years, a time she spent as an American Heritage Girl. “AHG taught me the importance of consistency with my relationship with the Lord. Having a safe place to work towards goals and badges, I was just as challenged to grow my relationship stronger and closer with the Lord during every Troop meeting. The accountability between girls and leaders was incredibly inspiring and encouraging. I believe my time in AHG was a vital piece in my foundation for my adult life. I had mentors who were always readily available to help. For this and so many other reasons, my time as an American Heritage Girl will always be remembered as one of the sweetest seasons in my life.”