Troop 79 Earns Silver Award



Chistina

The girls of Troop 79, all students at Bumpus Middle School, have been busy in their community. Lydia earned the Silver Award by designing invitations and a photo backdrop for her service unit’s annual dance. Using paint and a large piece of canvas, Lydia created a fairy tale-themed backdrop for the attendees to take photos in front of at the event. She hopes that her photo backdrop will be used for many dances to come.

Christina earned the Silver Award by increasing art education awareness for small children who do not have access to art enrichment programs. Christina created numerous art kits that included activities geared towards the children’s interests and age group. With help from parents and volunteers, many children were able to unleash their creativity and produce their own work of art. The kits were made available at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Alexis earned the Silver Award by sprucing up the memorial

garden belonging to one of the young members of her church who passed away. Alexis painted a bench, pulled weeds, laid new pine bark and added a stepping stone to the memorial. She hopes that those who pass by will acknowledge its beauty and keep it looking beautiful in the future.

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.

Emma and Chandler Earn Silver Award

Troop 254 members Emma and Chandler, students at Hewitt Trussville Middle School, earned the Silver Award by sprucing up their local library’s butterfly garden. The girls researched and discovered different butterfly-attracting plants and found local garden stores willing to donate supplies. The girls hope that the plants grow back each year for visitors to enjoy.

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.

Madison and Samantha Earn Silver Award

Troop 502 members Madison and Samantha, students at St. Francis Xavier from Irondale, earned the Silver Award by raising air pollution awareness at their school and decreasing their school’s environmental footprint. The girls put up fliers and broadcasted a school-wide commercial to educate students on how to be more conscious of air pollution and its effects. A more air-friendly policy has been established at their school as a result of the girls’ efforts.

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.

Troop 6420 Volunteers at Chula Vista Camp

Troop 6420 of the Pell Creek Service Unit painted a wall outside of the swimming pool at the Chula Vista Camp in Pell City during a short camping trip. The Pell Creek Service Unit holds monthly leader meetings at the camp free of charge. They decided to show their appreciation by having each troop in the service unit do a project for the camp. While volunteering at the camp, the girls also spent time participating in several activities including earning the Brownie Hiking, Cadette Trail Blazing and Junior Camping badges.

Troop 20074 Donates Cookies to Soldiers

Jasmine (left) and Kaitlin (right) with some of the soldiers

Troop 20074 from Munford collected and donated four cases of Girl Scout cookies to Alabama National Guard troop Delta Company 1st and 167th Infantry Battalion from Sylacauga, Alabama. Junior Girl Scouts Jasmine and Kaitlin presented the soldiers with the cookies, as it held a special place in the girls’ hearts. Jasmine’s father, a member of the batallion, was amongst the soldiers being deployed to Afghanistan. Jasmine and Kaitlin attended a family dinner at the Sylacauga Guard Armory following a deployment ceremony at Sylacauga High School. The troop’s efforts were greatly appreciated by the deploying soldiers.

Troop 766 Earns Silver Award

Troop 766 members Deja, a student at Brighton Middle School from Birmingham, and Destiny, a student at Rutledge Middle School from Midfield, earned the Silver Award by selling cookies to raise money for those affected by the earthquakes in Haiti. With the help of news stations, radio stations and local stores, the girls were able to sell enough cookies to raise $1000 for the victims. In addition, the girls also sent cookies to soldiers serving in Iraq.

Epic Middle School students Sydney and Brittany, both from Hoover, earned the Silver Award by volunteering at the Fairview Nursing Home. The girls sang songs, played games and chatted with the residents of the nursing home who had no family to communicate with. The girls also made gift baskets and goody bags for the residents in hopes of bringing a little joy to their day.

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.

Troop 350 Earns Silver Award

Troop 350 members Madison, a student at Irondale Middle School, and Virginia, a student at Homewood Middle School, earned the Silver Award by starting a Daisy Girl Scout troop for the Avondale area. The girls met with potential troop leaders and scouted out meeting locations, bought supplies for activities and made plans for the new leaders to follow.
Homeschooled student Caitlin and Alabama School of Fine Arts student Madeline, both from Homewood, earned the Silver Award by raising pet care awareness for the Humane Society. The girls created educational posters, made blankets and toys for the animals and helped Humane Society personnel care for some of the animals. The girls learned what it takes to fully care for an animal and hope to have informed others on how to be a responsible pet owner.

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.

Troop 215 Earns Silver Award

Troop 215 members Anna, Mia, and Caroline, students at Pizitz Middle School in Vestavia Hills, earned the Silver Award by repairing and painting cabins in the Older Girl Unit (OGU) at Camp Coleman. The girls cleaned out the cabins, primed and painted the walls and bunks, fixed the windows and added extra lighting. The girls’ efforts were greatly appreciated.

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.

Troop 40125 Earns Community Service Patch

Pictured: District Court Judge
Tammy Montgomery (left) &
Troop Leader Veronica Davis (right)
along with Troop 40125.

York West End Girl Scout Troop 40125 earned their community service patch by working with the Stamp Out Hungry food drive benefitting the Children of the Village (COTV) Food Bank Pantry in Sumter County Alabama. In a collaboration with the United States Postal Service (USPS), the girls helped load food collected during the drive to deliver to the pantry. District Court Judge Tammy Montgomery, chairman of COTV, gratefully received the donation and hopes that the extra food will help local individuals and families that really need it. COTV greatly appreciates the USPS and Troop 40125 for their efforts.

Cookies for the Troops

Pictured: Jenella Lymon & Michelle Pepper

Girl Scouts collected 480 cookie cases Council-wide for the Cookies for the Troops program. Armstrong Relocation picked up the boxes for Soldier’s Angels to send them to military deployed overseas. Special thanks to WAY-FM In Huntsville for supporting this effort.

Marianne and Cassie Earn Silver Award

Marianne, a student at Discovery Middle School in Madison and a
member of Troop 320, earned the Silver Award by creating English/Spanish flashcards for health care workers to help communicate with patients at Athens-Limestone Hospital. According to Marianne, there were not enough interpreters in the hospital and many of the patients spoke predominately Spanish. She hopes that the cards will prove to be useful for patients and the healthcare workers for a long time. 

Cassie, also a student at Discovery Middle School and member of Troop 320, earned the Silver Award by creating a nutrition badge for other girls to earn through learning about making healthy food choices. The participating girls chose from 17 requirements, all geared towards creating healthy eating habits, in order to earn their badge. Cassie learned that some food choices are better than others and hopes this project will keep children in the community from making unhealthy food choices.

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.

Ashley and Beth Earn Girl Scout Silver Award

Troop 431 members Ashley and Beth, students at Decatur High School, earned the Silver Award by painting a colorful mural in the welcome center at their local Boys and Girls Club. The girls also painted the director’s room and made curtains for the windows as well. Ashley and Beth learned how important it is to improve the community and bring color to the lives of others.

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.

Troop 472 Earns Silver Award

Troop 472 members Julie and Jenna, students at Grissom High School in Huntsville, earned the Silver Award by collecting school supplies for students whose homes were damaged or destroyed in the April 2011 tornados. Julie and Jenna placed collection boxes in various stores, as well as at their homes, for shoppers and neighbors to donate items. They then took the supplies to numerous schools to distribute to students affected by the natural disaster. 

 Mary,also a student at Grissom High School, earned her Silver Award by collecting blankets and donating them to the Downtown Rescue Mission. After witnessing homeless individuals in the streets with no way to keep warm, Mary knew she had to help. With the help of gracious members of her community, Mary was able to collect and donate numerous warm blankets for those in need.

Emma, a student at Lee High School in Huntsville, earned the Silver Award by collecting toys, clothing and other necessities for children and donating them to Hope Place. Emma put up flyers and set out bins at various locations for people to donate items. She then delivered them to the children at Hope Place, feeling a sense of joy that she had played a role in helping children in need.

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.

Troop 312 Earns Girl Scout Silver Award

Troop 312 members Erica from Harvest, Miranda and Christina from Madison and Lindsey from Huntsville, all students at Monrovia Middle School, earned the Silver Award by hosting an overnight camp event promoting good health habits. The girls researched ways to live a healthy lifestyle and invited other Girl Scouts to join them in this exciting camp-like experience. The overnight event included guest speakers and educational games for the participants to play.

Erica, a student at Monrovia Middle School from Madison, and Savanna, a student at Country Day School from Huntsville, earned the Silver Award by organizing three blood drives in memory of a friend who passed away from cancer. The girls also organized a field trip to LifeSouth for other Girl Scouts to learn about the importance of donating blood. With the help of RedCross and LifeSouth, the girls held the blood drive at Grace Presbyterian Church and in the parking lot of Ol’ Heidelburg Restaurant. Erica and Savanna registered and greeted donors at the door, giving them t-shirts, coupons and snacks. The girls hoped that both the blood drive and the field trip would help raise awareness, as well as provide blood to those in need.

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.

Jenna and Mary Earn Silver Award

Troop 177 members from Somerville Jenna, a student at Priceville Jr. High School, and Mary, a student at Priceville High School, earned the Silver Award by helping nurses put together their annual convention in Decatur. The purpose of the convention was to promote nursing, and ultimately get more people interesting in the nursing field. The girls contributed to the event by making centerpieces for the tables and putting together goody bags. They also made blankets to give away at the event.

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

Alwyn and Greer Earn Silver Award

Troop 10088 members Alwyn from Cedar Ridge Middle School in Decatur, and Greer, a student at St. Ann Catholic School also in Decatur, earned the Silver Award by hosting a family fun day at a Decatur animal shelter. The goal was to promote animal awareness at the shelter in hopes of increasing the chances for the animals to be adopted. The girls handed out flyers, researched and created brochures, collected donations and rallied Girl Scouts and other volunteers for the cause. The girls provided valuable exposure for the shelter and informed many members of the community of the issue at hand.

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.

Troop 434 Earns Silver Award

Madison girls from Troop 434 Jessica and Eve, from Liberty Middle School, Dana from Saint Johns and home-schooled Mary Elizabeth, earned the Silver Award by hosting a pet fair in which animal experts and informational activities were used to promote pet awareness. Experts held demonstrations, provided handouts and offered numerous pet products. The girls each contributed to the cause contacting animal shelters and pet stores, finding a location and handing out flyers.

Jennifer, Rachel and Rebecca from Liberty Middle School and home-schooled Courtney, also from Madison, earned the Silver Award by offering valuable information and promoting overall animal awareness for members of the community. The girls contributed individually creating educational games and activities, providing informational speakers and developing handouts for the event. The girls hope to have spread knowledge and valuable information about the needs of animals to other 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.

Troop 631 Earns Girl Scout Silver Award

Troop 631 members Sara and Alexi, students at Discovery Middle School in Madison, earned the Silver Award when they hosted a spa day, inviting girls to come enjoy a fun day of relaxation. Sara and Alexi wanted to help others boost both their spirits and self-esteem while sharing an overall positive, carefree experience. The girls were able to collect donations in order to provide manicures, facials and goody bags for the participants.

Jennifer and Melissa from Liberty Middle School in Madison, and Megan from Discovery Middle School, earned the Silver Award by organizing a book drive for a local hospital. The girls put up fliers and set up boxes in various schools and locations around the community for people to donate. The girls learned how important it is to help others and how much others are interested in helping their community.

Kaitlyn, from Liberty Middle School, and Harmony, from Discovery Middle School, earned the Silver Award by helping clean up Camp Trico. The girls love Camp Trico and knew their experience there could be better if it were cleaner. They, along with other volunteers, were able to clean up one of the camp trails, as well as paint one of the cabins. The girls hope to inspire others to continue on with their project and clean up even more of the camp.

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.

Alumnae Spotlight: Becky Laney

By: Kaleena Watts
 
Becky Laney of Birmingham recently shared some of her most adventurous and memorable moments from her early Girl Scout days, and spoke also of the new paths she’s paving with her own daughters and troop. This alumna has had a pretty amazing history with Girl Scouts, and she’s currently carving out an equally exceptional future.

Becky joined Girl Scouts in the 1980s. Her troop, Girl Scout Troop 365, was led by her mother Martha Mackay. Becky still vividly recalls some of her troops most exciting times together. In 1987, Becky’s mom took their troop to the Girl Scouts’ 75th Anniversary in Washington, DC, where they had the rare opportunity to hear First Lady Nancy Reagan speak. Even more exciting, the next year, Becky’s troop spent two weeks at Our Chalet in Switzerland, an entire month in Germany with Girl Guides, and briefly visited the Olay house in London.

In addition to the travel opportunities, Becky also has some fond memories of the Cookie Sale Program. “I remember walking around the neighborhood with my friend, because you know you never go out alone,” Becky recalls. “We would walk around [selling] Girl Scout cookies for $1.25 a box. We could never have enough Thin Mints of course!”

As a girl, Becky ascended to the rank of Girl Scout Cadette, accumulating many memories, pins and awards. Now feeling her time spent as a Girl Scout was shorter than she desired, Becky encourages, “Stick with Girl Scouting, and it will be with you through the rest of your life.”

And true to her words, Becky is definitely stuck to Girl Scouts. These days Becky leads her oldest daughter’s Brownie troop in Greystone. She’s also looking forward to her youngest daughter joining the Girl Scout tradition next year.

Becky believes her experiences have enabled her to give her troop a greater sense of purpose than she possessed as a young Girl Scout. “I’ve been able to tell my daughter and her troop about the fun things we did as Girl Scouts and things I’ve gotten out of it.”

Through Girl Scouts, Becky learned confidence, leadership, independence and girl power. Girl Scouts also provided her with an appreciation for volunteer work. “It’s very important. The world doesn’t go round without volunteering.”

The volunteer spirit is also a trait Becky clearly gets from her mom whose longtime dedication to the Girl Scouts has been a great source of pride and inspiration for her. “My mom has always been someone who, if she sees something that needs doing, she does it,” Becky says of her mom’s willing and helpful spirit.

Clearly Becky has gained a lot from her experiences with Girl Scouts: a strengthened family bond, several lifelong friendships, and some valuable lessons and life skills. However, the one possession Becky acquired through Girl Scouts she deems invaluable is fearlessness. Becky believes that “as a Girl Scout I can do anything.” As she leads this next generation, Becky is sure that Girl Scouts will afford them this and many of the same opportunities, values and life lessons she received.

2012 North Alabama Women of Distinction to be Recognized

Former NASA Astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison, Guest Speaker

In celebration of their 100th anniversary, the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama (GSNCA) will recognize eight outstanding women during an awards dinner Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at 7 p.m. at the Davidson Center for Space Exploration in Huntsville. This event celebrates women from Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Morgan and Winston counties.

The Women of Distinction program pays tribute to women who have made special contributions to their community through civic, academic or professional involvement.

Mary Lee Witherspoon of Huntsville will receive the 2012 Christine Richard Lifetime Achievement Award. This award honors the memory of a beloved community leader whose contributions had far-reaching impact for the North Alabama area.

This year’s Women of Distinction Honorees are:

• Barbara Barone of Fort Payne, Community Volunteer
• Cynthia C. Branham of Huntsville, President, NetFocus Marketing, Inc.
• Dr. Mildred Caudle of Athens, Council Member, City of Athens
• Jeannie F. Courington of Albertville, Managing Coordinator, Albertville Boaz Recycling Center
• Amy Sparks Epps of Huntsville, Operations Engineering Support, NASA
• Dorothy Moore of Guntersville, Founder, The Whole Backstage Theater
• Joanne Pearson of Huntsville, Community Volunteer 

Dr. Mae Jemison

GSNCA is honored to feature former NASA astronaut, Dr. Mae Jemison, as the guest speaker for the Women of Distinction fundraiser. Dr. Jemison, the world’s first woman of color to travel in space (1992’s Space Shuttle Endeavor) brings her vast experience as an engineer, physician, professor, former Peace Corps medical officer and entrepreneur to this prestigious event. As a leadership role model for girls, Dr. Jemison will hold a mentoring session in the afternoon for Girl Scout Gold Awardees. Sponsors will have a chance to meet Dr. Jemison at a special VIP reception before dinner. 

Click here for a Sponsorship Form. Sponsors will have priority seating and all of your guests will be invited to the reception prior to the event with Dr. Jemison.

For information and tickets, please contact Leah Beth Downs at 205-980-4750 x1030 or by email.