Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Makeover to Chilton County Hut Earns Kayla Endress Girl Scout Silver Award

Kayla from Girl Scout Troop 467 in Jemison earned the Silver Award for her “Extreme Hut Makeover” project. Kayla recognized that the Girl Scout hut in Chilton County was in need of a renovation. With Kayla’s painting and designing skills, she knew that she could definitely make the Chilton County hut a place to enjoy. Kayla demonstrated her abilities as a leader by organizing this event and recruiting neighborhood volunteers to help. Kayla was delighted to have given back to her community as well as her fellow Girl Scouts.

The Girl Scout Silver Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette can earn. This award symbolizes a Girl Scout Cadette’s accomplishments in Girl Scouting and community activities as she matures and works to better her life and the lives of others.

“Kid Konnect” Project Earns Glencoe Girl Scouts Bronze Award

Kelsey, Jordan, Jessica and Mckenna of Girl Scout Troop 641 of Glencoe earned the Bronze Award for their work with a Glencoe kindergarten teacher and classroom. Entitled “Kid Konnect,” the girls were eager to implement their project in hopes to help students as well as their teachers and parents become more involved. In addition, the girls developed hands-on activities to help students learn their alphabet, numbers and reading, at a faster rate in a way that was more enjoyable. The Girl Scouts wanted to make learning a more fun experience for the students and had a great time helping everyone become more successful in their learning skills.

The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Junior can earn. This award recognizes that a Girl Scout Junior has gained the leadership and planning skills required to follow through with a project that makes a positive difference in her community.

Trussville Girl Scouts Earn Bronze and Silver Awards

A “Journey with Man’s Best Friend” Earns Trussville Girl Scouts Bronze Award

Kaleigh, Caitlin, Caroline, Hayley, Allie, Reagan, Abbey, Emma, Lauren, Chandler, Dianna, Alana and Chloe of Girl Scout Troop 795 in Trussville earned the Bronze Award for their “A Journey with Man’s Best Friend” project. The Girl Scouts contributed to their community by hosting an event to collect items such as food, leashes, toys and cleaning supplies to the Animal Shelter of Pell City. Although the Girl Scouts enjoyed working with the animals and the impact they had on the shelter, they realized the hard work associated with owning pet. Overall, the Girl Scouts felt that the project was a great learning experience for them and continue to volunteer at the shelter.

The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Junior can earn. This award recognizes that a Girl Scout Junior has gained the leadership and planning skills required to follow through with a project that makes a positive difference in her community.

Girl Scout Project, “Helping Olivia’s House” Earns Scout Silver Award

Ingrid from Girl Scout Troop 254 of Trussville, earned the Silver Award for her project, “Helping Olivia’s House.” Ingrid developed this project to support Olivia’s House, an organization that provides mothers who may have been imprisoned or suffer from drug abuse, a place to stay. She contacted the center director to create a list of items needed to be donated. She also organized a Christmas party for the mothers and their children at the center. Ingrid, along with her fellow troop members, gathered items needed to make cupcakes and even built picnic tables for the residents to have a place to sit outside. Ingrid enjoyed this project not only for helping the residents of Olivia’s House but also raising awareness of the organization so that others will know about the facility as well.

The Girl Scout Silver Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette can earn. This award symbolizes a Girl Scout Cadette's accomplishments in Girl Scouting and community activities as she matures and works to better her life and the lives of others.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Girl Scouts Earn Religious Awards

Several Girl Scouts from Birmingham and Huntsville recently earned several religious awards.

“These awards allow young people to explore and become more involved in their Catholic faith,” said Trish Coghlan, chief executive officer of the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama. “The programs are designed to support and complement the catechetical efforts of Catholic parishes and schools, and as a Catholic, these awards are very important to me.”

The Family of God award is the official religious recognition program of the Roman Catholic Church for children grades 2-3. Family of God is a bilingual activity series developed to complement the catechetical efforts of the parish and families with children in the second and third grades. The program helps children discover the presence of God in their daily lives as members of their family and parish. Earning the award are Abigail Allarde of Pelham, Olivia Marie Beland of Helena, Ella Donahue of Pelham, Christen McDaniel of Birmingham, Madison Nguyen of Birmingham and Ana Maria Rosato of Hoover.

The I Live My Faith program is designed to help children grades 4-6 appreciate more deeply the place that God and religion occupy in their daily life. The action-oriented activities focus on developing awareness within the individual of his/her potential as a growing person, friend, family member, citizen and a participant in the community of faith. The program is divided into three chapters, “Stretching,” “Seeking” and “Finding,” each of which blends the dimensions of discovery, prayer, service, and sacrament into a unified whole. I Live My Faith complements and supports the more formal religious education provided in Catholic schools and parish programs. Earning this award include Holly Huhlein, Alexandra Pressnell and Mary Elizabeth Soprano all of Huntsville; Anna Brunner of Hoover, Audrey Gilcrease of Chelsea, Mackenzie McCafferty of Chelsea and Elizabeth McGunn also earned this award.

The Mary, the First Disciple award is written for young Catholics, grades 7-10, to enable them to “proclaim the greatness of the Lord.” This is accomplished by actively involving the participants in an understanding of Mary as a model of openness and spirituality—a woman of the church. Through various projects, discussions and liturgical celebrations over a period of months, the participants are provided with a unique opportunity to develop new insights into their personalities, friends, parents and the world around them. Jeanne Doyle of Birmingham, Niki Franks of Birmingham, Megan Gambrel of Irondale, Lorin Marin of Leeds, Emma McLean of Pinson, Mary Margaret Nanos of Mountain Brook and Samantha Waphides of Irondale recently earned this award.

The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton recognition was inaugurated in 1980 to recognize the meritorious contributions of adults who serve Catholic youth. This medal affirms the work of those who help youth develop their spiritual lives within the context of these organizations. Karen Ann Hauer of Hoover recently earned this award.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Girl Scouts Elect New Board Members

The Girl Scouts North-Central Alabama elected the following Board Members and officers at the annual meeting held May 14: President – Chris Ross of Cordova, Owner, R&S Recovery; First Vice President – Dawn Stanley of Huntsville, Assistant Chief Engineer of Ares I-X Flight Test Vehicle-NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center; Second Vice President – Peggie Myles of Birmingham, Retired, Jefferson County Board of Education; Third Vice-President – Alice Williams of Birmingham, Civic Leader; Secretary – Sally Barnett of Union Grove, Retired, Huntsville Public Library and Treasurer – Gabe Hulbert of Anniston, Vice President, Regions Bank.

New members elected to the board include Dr. David Campbell of Rainsville, President, Northeast Alabama Community College; Jennifer Chandler of Birmingham, Director of Outreach Programs, Alabama Sports Hall of Fame; Emily Davis of Odenville, Community Education Director, St. Clair County Schools; Janet Kincherlow-Martin of Decatur, Executive Assistant to the President, Calhoun Community College; Rachel Russell of Birmingham, Vice President, AT&T; Dr. Sally Smith of Talladega, Owner, Sleeping Giant Veterinary Clinic; and Kimberly Oden Webster of Leeds, Human Resources Manager, JCCAL.

Reelected to serve on the GSNCA Board of Directors again are Tony Cochran of Albertville, Owner, CK Business Solutions; Phyllis Davis of Birmingham, Retired, Vulcan Materials; Patricia Hartley of Florence, Employee Relations Director, Bank Independent; Dr. Charles Nash of Tuscaloosa, Vice Chancellor, University of Alabama; Vicki Kirby of Ft. Payne, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones Investments; and Dr. Isabel Scarinci of Birmingham, Professor, University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Caroling for Cats and Canines

Troop 145 of Pizitz Middle School earned the Bronze Award for their “Caroling for Cats and Canines” project. The Girl Scouts went caroling through neighborhoods and collected donations for the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. These items included dog biscuits, dog toys, pet food, cat toys, towels, blankets and pillows. In addition to helping the humane society, Troop 145’s project also raised awareness about needs of abandon animals in the community. Members of this troop included Olivia, Natalie, Bailey, Lyndsey, Kanika and Dawn.

The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Junior can earn. This award recognizes that a Girl Scout Junior has gained the leadership and planning skills required to follow through with a project that makes a positive difference in her community.

GSNCA Honors Volunteers

The Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama recently honored many volunteers whose service and dedication went above and beyond in 2010. We also recognized those with 20 or more years of volunteering. We thank you all for your hard work and support! We couldn’t do it without you!

Appreciation Pin: The service performed by the honoree(s) is outstanding, above and beyond the expectations for the position held, and is delivered to at least one geographic division or service unit within the Council jurisdiction, and contributes to the Council’s goals and objectives.
Janell Alexander – Verla Price Service Unit
Mary Lynn Morris – Verla Price Service Unit
Tanya Ott-Fulmore – Shades Mountain Service Unit

Honor Pin: Recognizes volunteers actively giving outstanding service by significantly contributing to membership growth and retention, resource development, or increased community visibility in more than two geographic areas within the Council’s jurisdiction.
Celia Hatch – Mountain South Service Unit
Mandy Rowley – Verla Price Service Unit
Tina Waggoner – Cahaba Valley Service Unit

President’s Award: Recognizes the efforts of a geographic area team or program delivery team in moving its assigned area or audience toward achievement of the Council’s goals during a fiscal or membership year.
Rainbow Service Unit, Southside, AL

Outstanding Leader Award: For a troop/group leader, assistant leader, or coordinator for outstanding performance in working with girls who completes appropriate training or demonstrate ability/skills for the position, and demonstrates competence in at least two of the following: involving adults in the community to help broaden the program opportunities for girls, increasing girl membership to support the council membership goal, implementing the Girl Scout Leadership Experience in troop activities, helping girls to recognize, understand, and practice the values of inclusive behavior, or building an effective By Girls, For Girls approach with girls.
Michelle Newman
Julie Rowe
Susan Evonne Patterson
Amanda Hardigee
Kathie Beach
Stacie Thompson
Marla Morgan
Wendy Demeski
Heather Klinner
Mandi Gonzalez

Outstanding Volunteer Award: For a volunteer in a position other than leader who completes appropriate training or demonstrates ability/skills for the position, performs at a level that exceeds the expectations of the position as outlined in the position description agreement in one or more of the following areas: membership, program, resource development, pluralism, marketing and communications, strategic leadership/governance, human resources. Also actively recognizes, understands, and practices the values of inclusive behavior.
Kathy Smith
Jennifer Ray
Laura Ellis
Melanie Rogers
Deatrice Johnson
Donna Holt
Laura Roberts
Lisa Watson
Meddra Raylene Gaddis
Paige Fell

45-year Volunteer Pin:
Alice Williams

35-year Volunteer Pin:
Erlinda Jones
Lynn Bloodsworth
Marti Baldwin
Sally Barnett
Stacy West

30-year Volunteer Pin:
Cheryl Lott
Jack Baldwin
Janette Humes
Judith Hatch
Judy Neil
Linda Layfield

25-year Volunteer Pin:
Barbara Walters
Dora Marrisette
Edith Vinson
Frances Faulks
Melody Johnson
Rosie Kelly
Ruby Archie
Aaron Tews
Debbie Tews

20-year Volunteer Pin:
Andrea Montgomery
Kathy Baier
Linda Boothe
Pamela Lynn Cook
Sarah Potter
Steven Hobbs

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

GSNCA To Hold North Alabama Healthy Media Images Panel

Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama (GSNCA) and the National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC) will host a community panel to discuss the impact of media images on children, especially young girls. The event will be held on Tuesday, June 7, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the NCAC’s location on Pratt Avenue.

The panel will include Monique Brouillette, Crisis Services of North Alabama; Tina Savas, Author, Women of True Grit; Deborah Callins, Prevention Director, National Children’s Advocacy Center; and America Hosch, a current Girl Scout, that will identify ways to help young people encounter media images that inspires, empowers and engage.

This event will build awareness about the need to pay attention not to just what kids watch, but how they watch it. Every child should be influenced by media that promotes confidence and character.

The National Children’s Advocacy Center is located at 210 Pratt Avenue NE Huntsville, AL 35801. Light appetizers will be served. Tina Savas will be selling her book at the event.

Please visit www.dld.bz/cchsv to RSVP through June 1, seating is limited. Along with GSNCA, this event is hosted by Kappa Delta and the National Children’s Advocacy Center.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Race for the Cure Project Earns Silver Award

Maggie earned the Silver Award for her contribution to the Komen Race for the Cure. Benson is in 8th grade at Simmons Middle School and is a part of Girl Scouts Troop 104. For her project, Benson volunteered at the cancer fundraiser by helping them recycle and pass out food. She also helped with the park clean-up.

The Girl Scout Silver Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette can earn. This award symbolizes a Girl Scout Cadette’s accomplishments in Girl Scouting and community activities as she matures and works to better her life and the lives of others.

Monday, May 16, 2011

McCallum Park Beautification

Girl Scout Troop 451 of Vestavia Hills earned the Bronze Award for McCallum Park Beautification project. The 4th and 5th grade girls researched ways to help the park. The Girl Scouts decided to plant several native flowers near the bathroom area and around the park entrance. The troop helped the environment while adding a little beauty to the park. Girl Scouts Emmy, Sarah, Meredith, Gillian, Laura, Slaton and Madison all participated in this project.

The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Junior can earn. This award recognizes that a Girl Scout Junior has gained the leadership and planning skills required to follow through with a project that makes a positive difference in her community.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Fishing Tournament to Benefit GSNCA

The second annual Bill Ireland Invitational Fishing Tournament will be held June 24-25 on Lake Alice at Kanawahala Program Center (KPC) located in Chelsea, AL. Proceeds will benefit the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama.

The tournament will kick-off Friday, June 24 with a Captain’s Party from 6-8:30 p.m. at KPC. The dinner includes a silent auction and dinner by the award-winning Alabama Wildlife Federation cooking team, “The Cajun Connection.”

Silent auction items include a Dell Laptop, North Carolina vacation at mountain home on the Nantahala River, Signed photos of Cam Newton, Mark Ingram and Nick Saban, a diamond necklace from Levy’s Fine Jewelry, Jewelry from Barton Clay and home items, restaurant gift cards, jewelry and more!

Following a 6 a.m. breakfast on Saturday, June 25, the tournament will begin with a shotgun start at Lake Alice on KPC and other private, local lakes. Lunch will be provided and an awards presentation will follow. Overnight accommodations can be provided.

Sponsorship levels range from $500 to $2500. Prizes will be awarded for bass weight an all other species including catfish and bream. Fish may be iced or put in live wells, and fish over 14” much be released back into the lake. All other fish may be taken home. No live bait will be allowed.

The fishing tournament started in 2004, and is now being revived in honor of a wonderful Girl Scout supporter, Bill Ireland, Sr. This year’s event is being chaired by Gabe Hulbert. Other committee members include Tahiera Brown, Tom Clark, Phyllis Davis, Marjorie Davis-Trimm, April Deal, Joel Goldstein and Alice Williams.

Current sponsors include Alabama Power, Barber’s Diary and EBSCO.

For more information, please contact Julie Carter at jcarter@girlscoutnsca.org or 800-734-4541 x1030. You may visit www.girlscoutsnca.org/fishing for a sponsorship brochure.

Hoover High Girl Scouts Earn Silver Award

Hoover High School students, Katie, Peyton and Courtney, earned their Silver Award for the production of their project “Songs for Scouts.” The girls designed this project to help younger Girl Scouts learn the traditional Girl Scouting songs in a new and fun way. In additional to recording a CD, the girls made a motion DVD and a song book. The girls belong to Troop 465.

The Girl Scout Silver Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette can earn. This award symbolizes a Girl Scout Cadette’s accomplishments in Girl Scouting and community activities as she matures and works to better her life and the lives of others.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

School Gets a Face-Lift from Silver Awardees

Simmons Middle School 8th grade bathrooms got a fresh coat of paint by two Girl Scouts. Abby and Melissa earned the Silver Award for their efforts to revitalize the look of their school. Many students complained about the old dirty look of the bathroom. Along with several volunteers, these Girl Scouts were able to give Simmons Middle School a little face-lift.

The Girl Scout Silver Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette can earn. This award symbolizes a Girl Scout Cadette’s accomplishments in Girl Scouting and community activities as she matures and works to better her life and the lives of others.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Birthday in a Bag Earns Silver Award

Our Lady Sorrow’s student, Madeline earned the Silver Award for her project “Birthday in a Bag.” Lang created 50 bags of supplies for parents who can’t afford to buy their child a birthday cake. The bag included cake mix, frosting, candles and napkins.

The Girl Scout Silver Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette can earn. This award symbolizes a Girl Scout Cadette’s accomplishments in Girl Scouting and community activities as she matures and works to better her life and the lives of others.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Troop 104 Makes Over Library

Girl Scouts from Troop 104 earned the Silver Award for their project “Library Make Over.” Camryn and Meredith from Simmons Middle School and Kara from Bumpus Middle School updated all of Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama (GSNCA) VHS tapes to DVDs. This was a cost effective way to improve the Girl Scouts resource center.

The Girl Scout Silver Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette can earn. This award symbolizes a Girl Scout Cadette’s accomplishments in Girl Scouting and community activities as she matures and works to better her life and the lives of others.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Clothes for Kids Earns Silver Award

Marina of Troop 21 received the Silver Award for her project “Clothes for Kids.” Davis collected donations of underwear, socks and undershirts for the needy children of Greene County. She hoped to make a difference in children’s lives by giving the everyday necessitates not everyone can afford. With the help of her community, Davis was able to help another.

The Girl Scout Silver Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette can earn. This award symbolizes a Girl Scout Cadette’s accomplishments in Girl Scouting and community activities as she matures and works to better her life and the lives of others.

Montevallo Troop Prepares for Natural Disaster

Girl Scout Troop 21 of Montevallo received the Silver Award for their project “Emergency Preparedness.” The Girl Scouts, Katie, Quinn, Jessyca and Serena, wanted to supply the community with information on what to do in an event of a natural disaster. The troop set up booths at local stores including PetSmart and passed out FEMA brochures to customers. The brochures outlined the correct procedures to take in case of a regional emergency.

The Girl Scout Silver Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette can earn. This award symbolizes a Girl Scout Cadette’s accomplishments in Girl Scouting and community activities as she matures and works to better her life and the lives of others..