Thursday, June 27, 2013

Girl Scouts Earn Bronze Award for Feeding the Homeless and Needy


Jewell, student at Huffman Academy, Tatiyonna, student at Charles A. Brown ElementarySchool, Shecoria, student at Midfield Elementary School, Odelia, student at Springville Elementary School, Skylar and Kayley, students at Walker-Wesley International, all members of Troop 766, recently earned the Girl Scout Bronze Award. The girls fed the homeless, cooked a meal for the residents of Ronald McDonald House and distributed Thanksgiving baskets to families in need. They also visited a nursing home, where they visited residents and sang Christmas carols. 

The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Junior (fourth and fifth grades) 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.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Girl Scouts of Troop 730 Earn Bronze Award

Brynn and Jordan, students at Jemison Middle School, and Grace, student at Clanton Intermediate School, and members of Troop 730, earned the Girl Scout Bronze Award for their project Get Moving Jemison! The girls wanted to educate the community about the importance of exercise and living a healthier lifestyle, so they passed out flyers about different events. They also took a challenge to complete a marathon one mile at a time. To complete the project, the girls worked with Get Moving Jemison, Inc. The Harlem Globe Trotters performed at one of the events.

The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Junior (fourth and fifth grades) 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.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Hoover High Graduate Works with Children's Hospital to Earn Gold Award

Ashley, a Hoover High School graduate who plans to attend the University of Alabama in the fall of 2013, recently earned the Girl Scout Gold Award. Ashley earned her Gold Award for her project Tera’s Treasures. Her project focused on providing the patients of Children’s Hospital an escape from their illnesses. She organized a tie-dying party and a cookie/snow cone party for the children, and she recruited several students and groups to help with her project, including the Hoover Juniorettes, Hoover High School Ambassadors, Hoover High School Chamber Choir and other Girl Scouts. They put together 175 toiletry kits for the patients, and they provided 100 pillowcases and T-shirts to tie-dye. The Hoover Juniorettes will sustain the project in the future. Ashley educated those who helped with her project by giving them information about childhood cancer and the Children’s Hospital cancer unit. Ashley’s project encouraged her to pursue a career in this area. She even got to shadow a child life specialist in the cancer unit one afternoon.

“You could tell how much [the children] needed time away from all their tests and sickness. If just for a little while, they had fun and there were lots of smiled and laughter, even in the midst of bandages, wheelchairs and IV poles,” said Ashley.

“By earning the Girl Scout Gold Award,” said Trish Coghlan, chief executive officer of the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama, “Ashley has become a community leader. Her accomplishments reflect leadership and citizenship skills that set her apart.”

The girl who goes for the Gold embraces challenges, achieves excellence, and works diligently to make the world a better place, in her own unique way. Her leadership, vision, and boundless energy is an inspiration to all Girl Scouts. Each girl earning her Gold Award demonstrates excellence through a leadership project totaling more than 65 hours. Girls who earn their Gold Award are also recognized by the President of the United States, the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Armed Services, state legislatures, colleges and universities for admission and scholarship opportunities, and the American Legion. Some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award recipients, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements.

About the Girl Scout Gold Award

The Gold Award represents the highest achievement in Girl Scouting; it recognizes girls in grades 9 through 12 who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through sustainable and measurable Take Action projects. Since 1916, girls have successfully answered the call to go gold, an act that indelibly marks them as accomplished members of their communities and the world. For more information about the Gold Award, visit girlscoutsnca.org/gogold

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

GSNCA Board of Directors Approves Property Plan Resolution

This morning the board of directors for Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama unanimously voted in favor of a resolution to reconsider the three phase property plan approved in May 2012. The resolution states that no GSNCA camp properties will be sold during the re-evaluation process pending the outcome of a new comprehensive strategic plan that will be developed for the organization. This plan will include obtaining new input from the membership, outside experts and community partners.

“The original intent of the 2012 property plan was to continue offering camping in fewer facilities across the Council's geography while expanding program opportunities and improving standards,” said Rachel Russell, board president.

“Since the plan was unveiled, a number of our membership has raised concerns about the closing and sale of camp properties as detailed in the three phase property plan, and the impact it may have on Girl Scouts as a whole. Many firmly believe that if given the opportunity, they can help GSNCA by raising enough community support to aid in the ongoing operational and capital needs of the camps,” said Russell. “We will continue to include our membership in this new strategic planning process to help garner the best and most creative solutions in determining how we best meet, grow and sustain our Girl Scout outdoor programs for generations to come.” 

To view the entire resolution and other property updates, please follow this link: girlscoutsnca.org/property.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Hoover Graduate Earns Gold Award for Senior Citizens' Independence Day Celebration Project

Olivia, a Hoover High School graduate planning on attending Rhodes College in the fall of 2013, recently earned the Girl Scout Gold Award. Olivia earned her Gold Award for her project South Haven Nursing Home Independence Day Celebration. Her project focused on recognizing the military service of veterans in South Haven Nursing Home. She put into place the Veteran’s Appreciation Program, which included an Independence Day celebration. She made decorations for all the residents’ doors, indicating which residents were veterans with special signs and decorations. Olivia also organized a program where Hoover High School Chamber Choir members sang the national anthem and the Hoover High School featured twirler performed. Veterans were recognized as songs for each branch of the military were played. She, other Girl Scouts and friends visited with residents as they enjoyed a huge red, white and blue cake. Olivia’s brother-in-law, who was deployed but able to come home for Christmas, also visited with residents and thanked them for their service. He also helped Olivia deliver blankets she and her friends made for the residents. The staff at the nursing home plans to continue the program as an annual tradition, and it is already on the calendar for 2013.  

“I learned that taking an interest in people goes a long way in making them feel valuable and contributing to their overall wellness. When talking to the veterans, asking about their lives and making an effort to make their day better, I saw the joy that was brought by such a simple act,” said Olivia.

“By earning the Girl Scout Gold Award,” said Trish Coghlan, chief executive officer of the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama, “Olivia has become a community leader. Her accomplishments reflect leadership and citizenship skills that set her apart.”

The girl who goes for the Gold embraces challenges, achieves excellence, and works diligently to make the world a better place, in her own unique way. Her leadership, vision, and boundless energy is an inspiration to all Girl Scouts. Each girl earning her Gold Award demonstrates excellence through a leadership project totaling more than 65 hours. Girls who earn their Gold Award are also recognized by the President of the United States, the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Armed Services, state legislatures, colleges and universities for admission and scholarship opportunities, and the American Legion. Some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award recipients, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements.

About the Girl Scout Gold Award
The Gold Award represents the highest achievement in Girl Scouting; it recognizes girls in grades 9 through 12 who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through sustainable and measurable Take Action projects. Since 1916, girls have successfully answered the call to go gold, an act that indelibly marks them as accomplished members of their communities and the world. For more information about the Gold Award, visit girlscoutsnca.org/gogold.