Mackenzie Borkovich of O’Hara channeled her experiences living with a life-threatening tree nut allergy into a school-wide education project.
Borkovich, a 2022 Fox Chapel Area High School grad, has been named a Gold Award Girl Scout, the highest achievement a Girl Scout can earn.
She received her official notification letter from Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania on Sept. 9, 2022.
Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania serves 27 counties, including Allegheny County.
Borkovich’s Gold Award project focused on allergy education and awareness.
She’s managed a severe allergy to walnuts, cashews and pistachios since childhood.
“I noticed over the years my peers and even staff and faculty members in the Fox Chapel School District, did not possess much relevant knowledge (about food allergies),” Borkovich said.
She created an allergy safety tips campaign that educates as to what to do if someone has a severe allergic reaction, including how to inject medicine with an EpiPen and to administer the prescription medicine AUVI-Q.
“I decided to produce informative, yet entertaining videos to convey important messages about allergies,” Borkovich said.
Borkovich’s sister Madison and friends Grace Rygelski and Bobby Chacko served as the student talent for the videos.
Borkovich dedicated more than 80 hours working on the project.
“To think that her project could save someone from anaphylactic allergic reaction is incredible,” said Jackie Borkovich, Mackenzie’s mom. “Being a nurse, I know the importance of educating our students and community about the hidden dangers of allergies.”
Jamie Glogowski, Fox Chapel Area High School nurse, said the video is scheduled for a screening soon at the high school.
Students will be required to watch the videos and answer questions created about each segment, Borkovich said.
In the video, signs and symptoms of a severe allergic reaction are portrayed, along with educating about the appropriate steps to take in that kind of emergency.
“We hope students become more informed about the signs and symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction. We also hope the video helps them become more comfortable administering an EpiPen,” Glogowski said. “The knowledge students will gain from this video will benefit not only our school community, but the entire community as students are better prepared to deal with this kind of emergency, no matter where they are.”
The district plans to screen Borkovich’s safety video for students annually.
“Girl Scouts has taught me the importance of helping others, doing the right thing, and being a part of something bigger than myself,” Borkovich said.
Borkovich is a freshman at Slippery Rock University majoring in exercise science/pre-physical therapy.
She also is a pitcher on Slippery Rock’s Division II softball team.
