North Alabama Girl Scouts Earn Bronze Award

Troop 10556

Several North Alabama Girl Scouts recently earned the Girl Scout Bronze Award.

Erin, student at Horizon Elementary, resident of Madison and member of Girl Scout Troop 10705, recently earned the Girl Scout Bronze Award for her project Cards for Seniors. Erin made and decorated many different cards and enjoyed seeing the smile they brought to the seniors she delivered them to.

Huntsville Troop 10556 members Kaitlyn, Sarah, students at the Academy for Science and Foreign Language, Ketara, student at Union Chapel Christian Academy, students at First Missionary Baptist Academy, and Tayon, student at Meridianville Middle School, recently earned the Girl Scout Bronze Award for their project Preparing for a Disaster. Because of the 2011 tornadoes in North Alabama, the girls wanted to help people be more prepared for another disaster. They made a PowerPoint presentation explaining the importance of having an emergency kit ready and more.

Troop 10885 members Candace, Christy, Emma, Justise, Madison, Marlee, Marlyssa, Maya, Mia, Tuezdie, students at Endeavor, Kiersten and Elliana, home schooled, recently earned the Girl Scout Bronze Award for their project Assisted Living Facilities Performances. The girls created a traveling talent how to take to assisted living facilities. They performed seven shows throughout North Alabama, where they danced, sang, did sign language and played the piano. The girls also delivered gift bags to the facilities’ residents.

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.

Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Terri Denson

Terri Denson has been a Girl Scout volunteer for more than 20 years. Along with two other advisors, she serves Girl Scout Senior/Ambassador Troop 10765 at First Missionary Baptist Church in Huntsville.

Terri began her volunteering with a Cadette troop, then moved up with the girls when they bridged to the Senior level. She serves as Service Unit 31’s fall product manager and she is rotating off the Gold Award committee for the Huntsville area. In addition to these positions, Terri is also the Girl Scout coordinator for her church, which is the sponsor for her troop, and she plans her troop’s yearly trip.

In the past, Terri has served as service unit cookie chair and in several other volunteer positions in the North Alabama legacy council.

Girls in her troop range from grades nine through twelve, and most have been involved with Girl Scouts since they were in Daisies or Brownies. Her troop loves doing community projects, earning the Gold Award and taking on leadership roles in various activities. The girls do service projects with Kids to Love, an adopt-a-prison fellowship angel every Christmas, and they do other projects with their service unit (31) and other troops at their church. Terri also says that when they have graduating high school seniors, one of more of her girls earns the Girl Scout Gold Award.

Terri’s troop donated cookies to the military during the Girl Scout Cookie Program, and they use some of their profits for service projects and their yearly educational trip, which they have done for the past 20 years. Past trips include Ripley’s educational program in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and the Disney youth program at Disney World.

“My greatest reward from Girl Scouting is seeing the girls become successful women in life, seeing some becoming Girl Scout leaders here in Alabama and other states, and seeing their daughters becoming Girl Scout Daisies and Brownies, carrying on the tradition,” she says.

Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Charlene Irizzary

Charlene Irizzary has been a Girl Scout volunteer in the Albertville area since 2010, when her daughter was able to join. Originally from Puerto Rico, Charlene participated in Girl Scouts from Brownie level to Senior level. She remembers traveling to Space Camp in Florida, and to camp several times. Her experience as a child made her want to pay it forward, so she volunteered.

Her troop has participated in several activities, including visiting recycling centers, donating their time at a food pantry, participating in fashion shows, camps, sleepovers, field trips and, of course, the Girl Scout Cookie Program! Her troop was even featured in the local newspaper when they introduced the new 100th Anniversary Savannah Smiles cookie to the market. That year, Troop 50’s goal was to donate part of their earnings from the cookie sale to children suffering from cancer.

Charlene says, “What makes my troop special is first of all, the girls are full of joy, enthusiasm and they love Girl Scouts. Most of my girls started this journey with me and they are still strong.”

The second component is the support and interaction between Charlene and her co-leader Sally Mullinax. Charlene says, “We are both what I call ‘hard-core Girl Scouts.’ We love Girl Scouts and are totally invested in our girls!”

Pictured from left to right: Sally Mullinax, co-leader, Troop 50; Girl Scout Aolanys, Charlene's daughter; Charlene Irizarry, troop leader, Troop 50.

Girl Scouts Sponsor Madison County Day Camp

Service unit 30 of the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama is sponsoring the Madison County Day Camp, an opportunity for girls to experience camp without having to stay overnight. Day camp will take place July 8–12 from 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m. at St. Mary of the Visitation Parish Center in Huntsville.

The cost is $55 for registered Girl Scouts, $67 for non-Girl Scouts, $20 for Tagalongs and $10 for adults. Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors will serve as day camp aides for $30, and Cadettes have the option of participating as day camp aides for $30, or with younger Girl Scouts at the regular registration prices. All prices include a T-shirt, snack, activities, supplies, patch, camp on Friday and dinner. Older girls will have a special activity.

At the end of camp, parents can attend an award ceremony where girls will receive a fun patch.

The deadline for registration is May 29, 2013, or when the capacity of 90 campers is reached.

For more information, contact Brantley Kirk, community development manager, at bkirk@girlscoutsnca.org or 800-410-8338 x1233.

Troop 1150 Earns Silver Awards

Troop 1150 members recently earned the Girl Scout Bronze Award. Kara, an eighth grader at Vinemont Middle School earned her award for sprucing up the Vinemont Scout Hut. Originally, all the cleaning supplies were held in an empty bathroom stall, but Kara cleaned up a supply closet and hung shelves for cleaning materials.
 
Serena, a seventh grader at Holly Pond Middle School, earned her award for leading a soccer skills camp for the four-year old class at Sonshine Preschool. Since there are few opportunities for children to learn about the game, Serena decided to put her expertise to good use during the preschool’s summer program.
 
After collecting and organizing donated clothing, Samantha, a ninth grader at West Point High School, held a clothes drive at the Vinemont Scout Hut for families in need. Samantha donated the leftover items to charity.
 
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.

Sarah Earns Gold Award

Sarah, a freshman at Cullman High School, recently earned the Girl Scout Gold Award. Sarah earned her Gold Award for her project Sugar & Spice Science: Science Just for Girls! Her project focused on helping third and fourth grade girls at East Elementary School improve in science. Sarah created lesson plans and presentations for each of the science experiments.

“I hope my project will inspire younger girls to become scientists,” said Sarah.

“By earning the Girl Scout Gold Award,” said Trish Coghlan, CEO of the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama, “Sarah 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.

Girl Scout Gold Award
The Girl Scout 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.

Katherine Earns Bronze Award

Troop 10088 member Katherine, a student at Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School,  earned her Girl Scout Bronze Award by creating an outdoor classroom at the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge and setting up a community yard sale for Meals on Wheels. With help from the site ranger, her parents and friends, Katherine was able to make the classroom accessible again and help improve something that others can use and enjoy for years to come.

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.

Troop 215 and 150 Members Earn Brozne Award

Troop 215 and 150 members Amanda of Crestline Elementary School, Mary of Burleson Elementary, Taylor of Eva School and Brianna, a student at Hartselle Jr. High, earned the Girl Scout Bronze Award by creating a vegetable garden for a senior member of their community. The girls also organized a troop meeting for the F.E. Burleson School Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies and Juniors teaching them how to successfully grow a vegetable garden. Troop members assisted the other girls in planting their own flower for Mother’s Day.

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.

Meet Mary Lee Witherspoon - 2012 Christina Richard Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

Mary Witherspoon, a retired educator, has infl uenced students at a variety of schools such as Bearden School in Knoxville, the University of Tennessee, Maryville College, the University of Alabama in Huntsville and Hope Academy.

As a civic leader in her community, Witherspoon has contributed her time and talents to many organizations. She is currently on the governing board for Covenant Presbyterian Church and has served as secretary and board member for the Social Justice Ministry Team of the Interfaith Mission Service. Since 1995, she has been a member of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. She is also an advocate for organizations such as Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform, Alabama Arise and Interfaith Mission Service.

Witherspoon has received multiple honors and awards, such as the Liberty Bell Award in 1995 by the Huntsville Bar Association, the Christine Richard Award in 1997 from the Huntsville-Madison County Mental Health Association, the Valiant Woman Award in 1999 by Church Women United, and the Social Justice Award in 2012 from Interfaith Mission Service of Huntsville and Madison County.

For the past 25 years, Witherspoon and her husband have been involved in hosting and arranging speaking engagements for international peacemakers from the U.S.S.R., Hungary, Northern Ireland, India, Burma, Palestine, Syria, Jordan, Somalia, Angola, the Philippines, Cuba, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, China, South Africa, Sudan, Pakistan and Indonesia. She believes that personal interaction with people who have been involved in working for peace in war-torn parts of the world helps us understand the ravages of war so we can strive to avoid it.

Witherspoon received her bachelor’s degree from Maryville College, her master’s from the University of Tennessee and certifi cation of teaching from the University of Alabama.

Witherspoon says, “Change comes slowly, and it is only through working with others that one can maintain the commitment to seeking a peaceful and just world for all people.”

Meet Joanne Pearson - 2012 Woman of Distinction

Joanne Pearson has devoted herself to the benefit of those around her at her university, in her community and throughout the state of Alabama. She currently serves as co-vice president of fellowship and service for Athens State University’s Phi Theta Kappa Alumni Association.
 
As service unit manager of Girl Scout Service Unit 34 in Madison County, Pearson has increased the unit’s size by 300 percent, from 80 to 260 girls. She has actively worked to create partnerships with Recycle America, Firefighters Union and many other organizations to create opportunities for girls to perform service projects for their communities.
 
Pearson earned the title of Ms. Wheelchair Alabama in 2010. In this role, she served as an advocate, speaking to numerous organizations about excelling beyond one’s adversity and the abilities of those who are disabled. She continues to build connections in the community to help develop future leaders who will make the world a better place. 

Pearson says, “My proudest accomplishment is being able to share my knowledge as a Girl Scout, advocate and mother to help people succeed at their goals.”

Meet Dorothy Fojt Moore - 2012 Woman of Distinction

Dorothy “Dot” Moore founded The Whole Backstage Community Theatre of Guntersville 44 years ago, and has continued to be its foremost leader and visionary.
 
As a high school teacher and volunteer crusader for the arts, Moore has made many outstanding contributions to her community since she moved to Marshall County 50 years ago. Moore has received numerous honors and recognitions, including the Alabama Governor’s Award for Volunteers in the Arts, and was honored as one of the 100 Most Influential People of the 20th Century in the City of Guntersville.
 
Moore received a master’s degree in fine arts from the University of Montevallo. 

She lives to share her genuine and unselfish love for others, especially children and teenagers. Other than being a mother, Moore says, “My proudest accomplishment is my ability to be able to teach. This has allowed me to educate many people of all ages so they are able to achieve far more than they ever expected of themselves.”

Meet Amy Sparks Epps - 2012 Woman of Distinction

As an accomplished and recognized engineering leader, Amy Epps has supported the mission and vision of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center for over 25 years.
 
She provides technical leadership and serves as a role model for young women who have demonstrated skills in science, engineering and math.
 
Epps has served as a board member or leader for many organizations such as the Community Ballet Association, First United Methodist Church, Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild and Junior League of Huntsville. As a civic leader, she demonstrates character, commitment and confi dence in her ability to make her community, nation and world a better place.
 
When asked the most valuable lesson she has learned from her service to the community, she says, “The people who are the most successful will be those who understand how to take on new tasks at incremental levels, while gaining more experience each time.”

Meet Jeannie F. Courington - 2012 Woman of Distinction

Since the inception of the Albertville Boaz Recycling Center in 2009, Jeannie Courington
has volunteered as the executive director and was instrumental in the formation of the organization. She has also helped the city of Boaz start a volunteer recycling program.
 
Courington is the manager and co-owner of Courington Real Estate, Inc. She has been actively involved in real estate sales, development and management for most of her professional career.
 
As a resident of Albertville for over 40 years, Courington has served her community through civic, social and religious organizations, including Albertville Beautifi cation Board, Albertville Chamber of Commerce, Boaz Rotary Club, Marshall County Economic Development Council, Marshall County Leadership Challenge and United Way of Marshall County. She was instrumental in forming the Marshall County Board of Realtors and helped establish the
local Multiple Listing Service for realtors. In 2006, she was awarded the title of Albertville Citizen of the Year by the Albertville Chamber of Commerce, the highest recognition a citizen can achieve in Albertville.
 
Courington says the most valuable lesson she learned through community service
is, “You learn how much you love your community. Helping and teaching others makes a
difference in your daily life.”

Meet Dr. Mildred Caudle - 2012 Woman of Distinction

Dr. Mildred “Milly” Caudle is a former professor at Athens State University and a current member of the Athens City Council. 

Dr. Caudle is president of the Friends of General Joe Wheeler Home Foundation. Her proudest accomplishment is helping to save the General Joe Wheeler home, as she feels it represents one of the few examples of a heritage site.
 
She is a founding board member of Spirit of Athens, a downtown revitalization organization. Dr. Caudle also serves on the Athens-Limestone Public Library board of directors, where she is working to convert a vacant grocery store into a new, state-of-the-art library.
 
Dr. Caudle says the most valuable lesson learned from service to her community is, “There is no substitute for perseverance. One should identify community needs and work assiduously to meet them.”

Meet Cynthia Cassis Branham - 2012 Woman of Distinction

Cynthia “Cindi” Branham has served as president of NetFocus Marketing Inc. for the past 12 years.
 
Branham is a board member of The Arts Council, Inc. and the Huntsville Association of Technical Societies. She has helped launch new programs such as Youth Leadership, Inside Huntsville (Focus), Impact and Leadership Management Academy. During her board leadership with the National Children’s Advocacy Center, she was able to help raise the necessary funds to build their campus on Pratt Avenue.
 
Branham has served on the Alabama State Committee for the National Museum for Women in the Arts. She also served as past president of the Women’s Economic Development Council. In 2006, she received the Girl’s Inc. “She Knows Where She’s Going” award. Branham says, “Building people and enduring structures and organizations in this community has been my leading motivation over the years.”

Meet Barbara Barone - 2012 Woman of Distinction

Barbara “Bobby” Barone has been a part of Girl Scouts for almost all her life. She currently leads Girl Scout Troop 401 in DeKalb County. She also serves as service unit manager, cookie manager and day camp director of Service Unit 21 in DeKalb County.

Barone serves as secretary of the Master Gardeners; she is a board member and volunteer for the Care Assurance System for the Aging and Homebound of DeKalb County; and is a volunteer for the United Givers Fund of DeKalb County. She is also very active with her church, Our Lady of the Valley.

Barone says the most valuable lesson she has learned through service to her community is, “What you do for other comes back to you a hundred-fold.”

Grace and Abigail Earn Girl Scout Bronze Award

Troop 28 members Grace and Abigail from the Academy for Academics and Arts, earned their Girl Scout Bronze Award for their project Helping Children. The girls collected toys, books and hygiene products for the Boys and Girls Club tornado relief fund. The girls even spent the day playing with the children in the program.

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.

Troop 1467 Turns Trash to Treasures

Girl Scout Troop 1467 members Sarah, Jamiya, Shelby, Christy, Chloe, Marissa, Stacey, Meagan, Kierstn and Jaria  of Williams Elementary School recently earned their Bronze Award. The troop placed recycling bins in the teachers’ lounges to collect empty cans. Before selling the cans at the local collection center, the girls made bracelets out of the tabs. With the money they made from selling the cans, the girls purchased a few new books for the school’s library.

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.

Troop 140 Earns Girl Scout Bronze Award

Aemilia, Emma and Rebecca of The Country Day School, and Alice of Horizon Elementary School, recently earned their Girl Scout Bronze Award for hosting a Pet Try-It workshop. The girls led Girl Scout Brownies in reciting the Girl Scout Law and Promise, helped the Brownies complete the tasks required to earn the Try-It and closed the meeting. The girls even helped make pet beds and toys to donate to the Madison Animal Rescue Foundation.

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.

Troop 11039 Earns Girl Scout Bronze Award

Girl Scout Troop 11039 recently earned their Bronze Award for planting a rain garden at Camp Anderel in Rogersville, Ala. The girls dug up rocks, planted flowers and spread new mulch. Troop members are Morgan, Lily, Dana, Jascie, Tasia, Esme and Hailey of Cedar Hill Elementary School.

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.