By Danielle Coots
For the News-Current
BEAVERCREEK — Girl Scouts walked with their head a higher and stood a little taller after completing the necessary qualifications, they received an award signifying the highest recognition in the Girl Scouts organization on April 17.
Standing by the 21 girl scouts’ side were proud parents, grandparents and Scout and community leaders at Aley United Methodist Church on Kemp Road to show their appreciation for a job well done.
“Beavercreek is strong in Girl Scouting with more than 45 active troops. Girl Scouts that are in kindergarten through first grade are Daisy Girl Scouts and they go up through Ambassador Girl Scouts in the 11th and 12th grades,” Girl Scout Recruiter Dawn Mumford said. “Nationally, less than 6 percent of Girl Scouts complete the Gold award.”
Bronze Award
Bronze Award requirements for the Bronze Award: 20 hours of leadership and community service after completing the Journey Cadette Girl Scout project (4th and 5th grades). Girl Scout Troop #30175: Cindy An, Sophia Arntz, Taylor Costa, Logan Gargas, Lola Retter, Abigail Schivelbein, Hannah Whitaker, Natalie Zeretzle. Project: Helped kittens needing homes. They made blankets and toys to be provided to the kittens as they were taken to their new foster homes.
Girl Scout Troop #32728: Chloe Gallup. Project: Chloe is in a group of eight Girl Scouts. They supported the Ronald McDonald House. They made welcome blankets for the new patients. They also bought and served food for families that stayed in the house.
Silver Award
Silver Award requirements for the Silver Award: 50 hours of leadership and community service after completing the Senior/Ambassador project (9-10th or 11-12th grades). Girl Scout Troop #30209: Abby Arntz, Katie Cook, Megan George, Taylor Huff, Rebecca Wiese. Project: They raised $200 and two car loads of donations for the Greene County Animal Control.
Girl Scout Troop #32725: Caitlyn Borgert, Paige Crawford, Kaylee Price. Project: Borgert collected teddy bears for the Greene County Sheriff’s “Buddy Bear” project. Price: Presentation of horse safety course and handouts. (Crawford was not present)
Girl Scout Troop #330595: Valerie Dranchak, Jennifer Meek. Project: Draw more attention and participation to library events, volunteers and clubs.
Gold Award
Gold Award requirements for the Gold Award: 80 hours of leadership and community service. Girl Scout Troop #31200: Elise Grinkemeyer. Project: “Needles in a Haystack” – Provided education about type 1 and 2 diabetics.
Girl Scout Troop #30021: Anna Mumford. Project: Addressed the issues of domestic abuse and impact on victims.
Special guests included Beavercreek City Councilman Brian Jarvis and Beavercreek Police Officer Tim Lammert. Guest speakers included Dr. Cassie Barlow from Wright State University and retired Colonel of the United States Air Force. The ceremony was kicked off with a prayer by Pastor Ken Kirk of Aley United Methodist Church.
“These girls have demonstrated integrity, dedication and leadership,” Dr. Barlow said. “It was over 100 years ago when the first gold award was presented. And even though hundreds of other girls have been presented with the award before you, the Girl Scouts are still striving to discover, connect and take action. Thank you, girls, for all the contributions you made to our community through your projects you’ve tackled to get these awards.”
For more information regarding the girl scout awards or the organization, contact Dawn Mumford by email at [email protected] or Susan Grinkemeyer at 937-275-7601.
