Hannah Upperman’s Wheely Awesome Mouse doll to be featured by doll maker
NEW HAMPTON, NH – Inspired by a Girl Scout Mouse doll made by Annalee Dolls in Meredith, an 11-year-old Girl Scout not only had a new doll design accepted, the company decided to offer her design as part of their Personalized Mouse Collection and launch its first-ever Kids Design Contest.
“Hannah has always had a caring and nurturing spirit,” said her mother, JoAnn Upperman. “Her inspiration for this came from a young woman who uses a wheelchair, that would come to her school in fifth grade to help with their gardening electives. When I bought her the Annalee Girl Scout figure, she thought of all the people who are not identified by their figures, but never mentioned her thoughts to me.”
Hannah wrote to the doll maker this past spring, saying she’d love to be a designer for them when she grows up, and included a drawing for a new mouse doll in a wheelchair, called the Wheely Awesome Mouse. In her letter, she said “Your Girl Scout Mouse allowed me to be myself.”
“Hannah wrote the letter herself, never telling me or my husband the content, and took the initiative to deliver it while we were at the store, buying a gift for a family friend,” said Upperman.
"I made this doll because I think everyone should be able to find dolls that represents them and by making a doll who has a wheel chair, it gives them more confidence that they have a place in this world.,” said Hannah.
The company’s designers wanted to meet Hannah, and together they chose the details of the new mouse doll, to become part of their 2022 collection. The Kids Design Contest ran for the month of July, seeking new designs from children ages 4-15. The grand prize is creation of that design for a new doll in the coming year.
"Our team here at Annalee was thoroughly impressed with Hannah's poise and eye for design!” said Betsey Pelletier, director of retail sales and marketing for Annalee Dolls. “She represents the Girl Scouts well with her positive attitude, strength of character and kindness. We look forward to bringing her "Wheely Awesome Mouse" design to life next year!"
Hannah did not just design a doll. She is becoming an entrepreneur, taking risks, and becoming her best self. Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains is beyond proud of Hannah. Girl Scouting is where girls follow their dreams – and succeed.
About Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains: Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains is recognized throughout New Hampshire and Vermont as a leading expert on girls. Our Girl Scout Leadership Experience is a one-of-a-kind leadership development program for girls, with proven results. It is based on time-tested methods and research-backed programming that helps girls take the lead—in their own lives and in the world. Through our exciting and challenging programs, Girl Scouts not only participate but also take the lead in a range of activities—from kayaking, archery, and camping, to coding, robotics, financial literacy training, and beyond! Serving girls throughout New Hampshire and Vermont, girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. Visit www.girlscoutsgwm.org.
