Gold Award: In Your Honor 2016

GIRL SCOUT
GOLD AWARD
CEREMONY
MAY 21, 2016
THE GIRL SCOUT
PROMISE AND LAW
GIRL SCOUT
GOLD AWARD
The Girl Scout Promise and Law
are shared by every member of Girl
Scouting. By pledging to exemplify
the Girl Scout Promise and Law, each
Girl Scout is committed to making
the world a better place.
The Girl Scout Gold Award expresses a girl’s special
commitment to herself, her community, her world,
and the future. To be eligible to earn the Girl Scout
Gold Award, a girl must be registered as a Girl Scout
Senior or Ambassador. For the 2015–2016 school
year, 154 Girl Scout Seniors or Ambassadors from
the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas earned the
Girl Scout Gold Award. This award is the highest
achievement in Girl Scouting and is earned by less
than one percent of all girls who join Girl Scouts.
Girl Scout Promise
On my honor, I will try
to serve God and my country
to help people at all times,
and to live by the Girl Scout Law.
Girl Scout Law
I will do my best to be
honest and fair,
friendly and helpful,
considerate and caring,
courageous and strong, and
responsible for what I say and do,
and to
respect myself and others,
respect authority,
use resources wisely,
make the world a better place, and
be a sister to every Girl Scout.
It generally takes two to three years of intensive
work for a girl to complete the prerequisites for
the award, develop a Gold Award Project plan, and
complete the project itself. This award focuses
on a Girl Scout Senior or Ambassador’s interests
and personal journey through leadership skills,
career exploration, reflection, and advocacy. It is
something that a girl can be passionate about—in
thought, deed, and action. The project fulfills a
need within a girl’s community (whether local or
global), creates change, and has the potential to be
sustainable. The project is more than a good service
project—it encompasses organizational, leadership,
and networking skills. The Girl Scout Gold Award
provides the opportunity for girls to create “take
action” projects that further the Girl Scout brand in
our communities, helping girls to make the world a
better place.
Girl Scout Gold Award recipients receive letters and
certificates of commendation from national, state,
and local political figures, as well as the Girl Scouts
of Northeast Texas, the U.S. Armed Forces, and Girl
Scouts of the USA.
GIRL SCOUT
GOLD AWARD
CEREMONY
Processional of 2015-2016 Girl Scout Gold Award Recipients
Flag Ceremony
GSNETX Honor Guard
Welcome
Jennifer Bartkowski, Chief Executive Officer
Speaker
Meredith Burke
GSNETX Young Women of Distinction, 2014
Gold Awardee, 2014
Presentation of Awards
Jennifer Bartkowski, Chief Executive Officer
Senior Leadership Team
Presentation of the Betty Richardson Girl Scout
Gold Award Scholarships
Kit Addleman, GSNETX Board Chair
Closing Remarks
Jennifer Bartkowski, Chief Executive Officer
2015-2016 RECIPIENTS
Alexandra Abide
Almira Akinpelu
Paige Alexander
Navaz Alpaiwalla
Ashley Amyx
Caroline Anderson
Annalise Arras
Marian Bailey
Haley Bartlett
Ananya Bashyam
Catherine Beachner
Chandler Bjork
Jalee Blackwell
Bethany Blevins
Mackenzie Blevins
Madison Blevins
Carter Brannan
Dixen Bray
Elizabeth Brown
Brianne Burkert
Sophie Byrne
Brittany Cafferty
Cassandra Campbell
Allison Chaffin
Julia Chung
Andrea Clark
Sarah Elizabeth Clonch
Samantha Costigan
Azani Creeks
Megan Cronan
Deirde Crowley
Flannery Currin
Ziba Damanwalla
Olga Delgadillo
Arzu Dhanani
Lindsey Doepfner
Kristine Ehlinger
Lauren Endsley
Hailey Falies
Katharine Foster
Khendra Gordon
Vidya Govindarajan
Kristina C. Graffy
Morgan Grimes
Madison Grimes
Bobbye Hampton
Hannah Hansen
Brandy Hayes
Madison Helms
Neva Henderson
Nicole Herleman
McKenzie Hicks
Morgan Hicks
Audrey Hiltabidle
Amy Hoang
Jocelyn Hodges
Leslie Hogue
Mary Holguin
Caroline Holland
Kate Holland
Lossie Hudspeth
Carolyn Huynh
Lauren Jackson
Inaara Jamal
Sarah Jankowiak
Catherine Jones
Sneha Karkala
Pauline Kerr
Lauren Kettenhofen
Kelli Kissinger
Grace Knight
Allison Kornher
Nicole Krampitz
Mansi Kumar
Hannah Kupferschmid
Kate Lacina
Rukshar Lalani
Cecile Leclerc
Isabella Limber
Alina Linde
Aspen Ludwig
Parisa Mahmud
Jessica Marshall
Aryn McGuire
Dorothy Meachum
Sarah Mease
Maranda Meyer
Mariah Miles
Anusha Mithani
Cristina Moore
Alejandra Moreno
Emily Morris
Kate Morrison
Emily Moussa
Katherine Muck
Gabrielle Mungiguerra
Christina Munnings
Nilanjana Nair
Brooklyn Nash
Betti Negussie
Courtney Newman
Amarachi Ngwakwe
Sydney Nobles
Mackenzie Packer
Alexis Padden
Riana Pellicane-Hart
Haley Plenger
Kaylie Pool
Sophia Popowski
Jennifer Powell
Katie Presz
Mounika Puligurthi
Serena Ranmal
Taylor Rapp
Lindsay Rather
Auj Rehman
Kaitlin Reynders
Rachel Roberts
Claressa Robertson
Brooklyn Rodgers
Jazmin Rose
Jenna Rover
Hannah Salinas
Isabella Sanchez
Celina Schuetz
Gabi Siewczynski
Julia Sircar
Nina Sisemore
Cortney Smith
Claire Sowards
Gabrielle Spurlin
Alison Stonecipher
Sarah Hope Swaim
Jessica Thompson
Madeline Toole
Madeline Tovar
Carena Toy
Sarah Troy
Andre Ujcich
Jessica Volkert
Eliza Vu
Anisha Wadawadigi
Katie Wall
Faith Waller
Meredith Whalen
Lauren Whisler
Madeline Whisler
Madalyn White
Sarah White
Brittany Wierman
Sophia Wilson
McKennan Wright
Cheyenne Young
Casey Zamecnik
Jenna Zapata
PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS
Alexandra Abide
Picassos by Patients
Girl Scout Troop 1608. Alexandra designed
“art carts” at the Ronald McDonald House and
Advance ER Care for patients who are lonely and
bored as they undergo treatment. She and her
volunteers conducted supply drives to fill the
carts and then hosted craft hours to give the patients a creative
outlet and make friends during their free time. She trained
volunteers on how to do the various activities and they will
continue to provide support going forward. Her school will also
replace the craft supplies, holding donation drives as materials
run low. Alexandra graduated from Plano West Senior High
School in 2015.
Almira Akinpelu
Book It
Girl Scout Troop 9436. Almira created a book
club for the at-risk third and fourth graders at the
East Dallas Boys and Girls Club. Growing up at
the Club fueled her passion to give back to it. She
and her volunteers ran the Book Club by selecting
interesting books, doing interactive activities, focusing on
story concepts and having the kids read aloud to improve their
reading skills. The literacy activities are now a permanent part of
the schedule, and the Keystone Club will continue to create new
lessons and lead the book club. Almira will graduate from the
School of Health Professions at Townview Magnet Center School
in 2016.
Paige Alexander
Fun in the Sun
Girl Scout Troop 1441. Paige addressed the
issue of obesity by planning and implementing
a summer camp for at-risk children in the
Lochwood Library area. Working with the White
Rock YMCA, she created activities that presented
the benefits of healthy living relating to both nutrition and
exercise. She and her volunteers engaged the children in
activities that were fun, but also encouraged physical motion.
The children also learned creativity as they worked on various
art projects, such as making masks. The camp will be continued
by the YMCA using the template Paige created. Paige will
graduate from Ursuline Academy of Dallas in 2016.
Navaz Alphaiwalla
Taking a Stand
GS Troop 3150. Navaz’s project focused on
empowering young girls to Take a Stand against
bullying, whether as a victim or when observing
someone else being bullied. She and her
volunteers taught techniques and skills that girls
can use to identify what bullying is and how to prevent and stop
it. The classes were held at two girls’ schools in India. Navaz
wanted to help young women in third world countries, where the
issue of self-esteem takes a back seat to other necessities. The
program was such a success that the schools are incorporating
it into their permanent curriculum. Navaz will graduate from
Plano Senior High School in 2017. Ashley Amyx
Right Brain? Left Brain?
Help My Brain
GS Troop 2225. Ashley’s project addressed the
difficulties that dyslexic children encounter
in learning to read. Working with Stephens
Elementary School teachers and dyslexic
specialists, she designed boxes filled with fun reading activities
for dyslexic students in kindergarten through 3rd grade that
support their curriculum. The students can check out the
boxes and get extra practice at home. The District Dyslexia
Coordinator hopes to create the boxes at other campuses using
the template that Ashely has created. The Rowlett High School
FCCLA club has agreed to maintain the boxes, as well as add
additional grades next year. Ashley will graduate from Rowlett
High School in 2016. Caroline Anderson
Science Fair Success
Girl Scout Troop 2092. Caroline used her love of
science to give back to her elementary school by
creating a website, blog, videos, and workshop
to encourage students to participate in the
Richardson ISD Science Fair. Her learning module
simplified the project in terms that students could understand,
giving them a step-by- step method to design and develop a
successful science fair project. She and her volunteers taught
scientific method, experiment and demonstration differences,
and presentable tricks to students and their families. Her
website and video links, plus her information materials, remain at
Lake Highlands Elementary for future use. Caroline will graduate
from Richardson School in 2016.
Annalise Arras
Adopt a Room for Kids in Care
Girl Scout Troop 1897. Annalise worked with
Community Partners of Dallas, an organization
that supports the care of abused and neglected
children. Annalise, along with her volunteers,
designed a safe, vibrant and interactive room
that children and parents can use to be reunited for weekly
visits. An “Under the Sea” theme was carried out through a hand
painted mural, furniture, books, and toys to provide a comforting
and cheerful place for families to re-establish a loving
connection. CPS will maintain the room, and Annalise created a
“how-to” manual that can be used to renovate additional rooms
at the Center. Annalise will graduate from Ursuline Academy of
Dallas in 2016.
Marian Bailey
It’s All About Children
Girl Scout Troop 372. Marian renovated a room at
the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County
to provide a safe environment for parents and
children to mend strained family relationships.
She and her volunteers painted the room, hung
artwork painted by peer volunteers, reconditioned the furniture,
and cleaned all the toys and other items in the room. Marian
designed and assembled craft kits, donated coloring books, art
supplies, and reading books for the parents and children to enjoy together. The room will be maintained by the Center’s staff,
and the Plano Senior High Planoettes will donate art supplies as
needed. Marian will graduate from Plano Senior High School in
2016.
Haley Bartlett
Courage Camp
Girl Scout Troop 1615. Haley held a weeklong
Courage Camp for over 50 children in her
neighborhood to address the issues of bullying.
This camp’s goal was to teach the children to
believe in themselves, treat others with love and
respect, and to build their own self-esteem. These attributes
would then enable them to stand up to others who are bullying
someone they know. She and her volunteers used stories,
games, team- building activities, songs, crafts, and snacks to
accomplish their daily themed goals. Instructions on how to
recreate the workshop are online and at a neighborhood church
for future use. Haley graduated from a home school program in
2015.
Ananya Bashyam
Monarch Butterfly Garden
Girl Scout Troop 1585. Ananya created a
Monarch Waystation at LISDOLA (Lewisville ISD
Outdoor Learning Center), with native perennial
plants and milkweed to provide a habitat for
Monarchs on their journey through Texas. She
also taught summer classes and donated posters to LISDOLA,
and added native perennial plants to the butterfly garden at
Flower Mound Elementary. These new waystations will help the
Monarch Butterflies, an endangered species, continue their
migration journey by providing sustenance to the butterflies
and caterpillars. They will also address the issues related to
pollinator species. The habitats will be sustained by volunteers
and staff at both locations. Ananya will graduate from Marcus
High School in 2017.
Catherine Beachner
Valentine’s Party and Anna’s Closet
Girl Scout Troop 1897. Catherine’s project filled
the void that Children’s Medical Center of Dallas
has for patient activities after the Christmas season. To solve this problem, Catherine and her volunteers designed and implemented a Valentine’s
Day party and activity bags for the patients. The party gave patients a chance to socialize while playing games and doing crafts.
For those patients not well enough to leave their rooms, activity
bags for different ages were made. An instruction manual on
how to plan an event will be used to replicate this type of event
by the hospital. Catherine will graduate from Ursuline Academy
of Dallas in 2016.
Chandler Bjork
Kits for Kids
Girl Scout Troop 277. Chandler created art enrichment materials for Project Transformation
of Greater Dallas’ Summer Program. Most of the
children come from at-risk environments and
have limited exposure to the arts, so these kits
allowed each child’s creativity to grow and flourish. She and her
volunteers taught approximately 35 elementary-aged children
utilizing the art kits. She also provided Project Transformation
with multiple art project ideas for various holidays, themes,
and artistic concepts. Her kits and ideas will be used by Project
Transformation locations around the Greater Dallas area potentially impacting over 1000 children. Chandler will graduate from
Highland Park High School in 2016.
Jalee Blackwell
Reach for the STAAR
Girl Scout Troop 2912. Jalee implemented a
tutoring program for 3rd and 4th grade students at
Ouida Springer Elementary in Rockwell. Working
with the school’s teachers, she developed a
curriculum to support the students taking the
math and reading standardized STAAR tests. She and her
volunteers taught the students every week for over three
months to improve their test-taking skills and subject matter
expertise. This program will be continued by the National
Technical Honor Society members next year using the
curriculum Jalee designed. Jalee graduated from Rockwall High
School in 2015.
Bethany Blevins
Patients Create a Memory
Girl Scout Troop 1424. Bethany collaborated with
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital to create an activity for patients to combat boredom as they were
healing. She and her volunteers designed an acrylic art canvas partially printed with an encouraging
message and the name of the hospital. The patients used a variety of paints, brushes and sponges to complete their works of
art, giving them a memory to take home. She also made fleece
blankets and cast covers to provide comfort to the patients. Additional supplies and instructions were left to be implemented
by the Junior Volunteer program. Bethany will graduate from
Plano East Senior High School in 2016.
Mackenzie Blevins
Operation Ocean
Girl Scout Troop 1424. Mackenzie’s project addressed the issue of plastic pollution in the
oceans and its impact on marine life and habitats.
Using two PowerPoint presentations she created,
she educated seven junior high science classes
at Murphy Middle School and six classes at Miller Elementary in
PISD. Mackenzie spoke to over 300 students and gave each one
a reusable water bottle. She worked with peer volunteers to write
and illustrate an elementary school book about ocean pollution
and gave copies to Miller Elementary. Mackenzie’s program will
be repeated by teachers at these schools. Mackenzie will graduate from Plano East Senior High School in 2016.
Madison Blevins
Baylor Loves Books
Girl Scout Troop 1424. Madison took her love of
reading and brought it to cancer patients at Baylor
Sammons Cancer Center and elementary schools
in Plano ISD. She and her volunteers made a rolling children’s library and filled it with books and
handmade bookmarks. The library was intended to combat
boredom as the patients healed. At Schell Elementary she read
to students to encourage their reading habits. Each student got
a bookmark that listed the top 5 reasons to read, to remind them
to keep reading. The Cancer Center will maintain the library,
adding new books as needed. Madison will graduate from Plano
East Senior High School in 2016.
Carter Brannan
Building Kid Confidence
Girl Scout Troop 1433. Carter worked with the
Family Place to build confidence in tweens and
teens affected by domestic abuse. She and her
volunteers planned and implemented activities to
encourage the participants to express themselves
and begin the healing process related to their individual circumstances. She also educated her community about this issue as
she collected toiletries for the teens, a group that is given less
attention. She created a “how-to” guide with all of her materials, instructions for activities, and arts and crafts supplies for
her project to be sustained. Carter will graduate from Ursuline
Academy in 2017.
Dixen Bray
Operation Resuscitation
Girl Scout Troop 317. Dixon organized a training
day with four fire departments ensuring they had
the proper equipment and instructions to save
pets rescued from fires. Working closely with
the Texas A & M Veterinary Emergency Team, the
fire fighters were educated on specific pet paramedicine and
protocols. She located Project Breathe, providing a resource
for fire departments to order free animal mask kits as needed.
She and her volunteers also educated pet owners on fire safety
at multiple events in the community. TAMU VET is continuing
the training online and in person in Texas and throughout the
country. Dixen will graduate from John H. Guyer High School in
2017.
Elizabeth Brown
Art Supplies for Cook
Children’s’ Medical Center
Girl Scout Troop 313. Elizabeth took her love of art
and used it to help the children at Cook Children’s
Medical Center. She painted acrylic pictures,
which served as a way to educate people about
the importance of art and how to give back in their communities.
She then sold the paintings to raise funds. Working from a wish
list of art supplies, she and her volunteers purchased over 200
items to donate to the medical center. Using Twitter, the art
wish list has been posted and remains a resource for people
to continue donating art supplies. Elizabeth will graduate from
Flower Mound High School in 2016.
Brianne Burkert
Parkinson Voice Advocates
Girl Scout Juliette. Brianne worked with the
Parkinson Voice Project (PVP) organization to
publicize their treatment services by starting a
speaker’s bureau. The members of the “Parkinson
Voice Advocates” are recovering Parkinson
patients who will speak on behalf of PVP. Brianne and her
volunteers assembled an extensive contact list of potential
organizations to host these speakers. They also developed
PowerPoints, training videos, and note cards for the patients
to use during their presentations. The speaker’s bureau will be
administered by the PVP. Brianne graduated from JJ Pearce
High School in 2015.
Sophie Byrne
Reading Appreciation for
ESL Chin Community
Girl Scout Juliette. Sophie collaborated with the
Chin Community Ministry to help the Myanmar
Refugees in their efforts to resettle and assimilate
in America. She and her volunteers worked
with the Chin children and their parents to become more
comfortable with American education traditions. The program
aimed to help the children and their parents understand the
concept of books and reading, increase comprehension and
build confidence in their abilities, thereby creating positive
expectations for Kindergarten. The program will be continued
through a network of community volunteers that Sophie
established. Sophie will graduate from Richland Collegiate High
School in 2016. Brittany Cafferty
Photographic Memory
Girl Scout Troop 79. Brittany, using her love of
photography, worked with the RoseWood Assisted Living and Memory Care facility to construct scrapbooks for the residents. This facility
treats those with memory loss who are in various
stages of Alzheimer or dementia. She and her volunteers guided
the residents in creating scrapbooks as a form of art therapy.
Research has shown that pictures bring back happy emotions
and memories of the past. The scrapbooks provide a way to
stimulate memories of the residents’ histories. The facility will
continue the program with the supplies and instructions that
she provided. Brittany will graduate from Marcus High School in
2016.
Cassandra Campbell
The Book Houses
Girl Scout Troop 79. Cassandra’s project
recognized that her Highland Village community
needed a means to promote reading. The area
has no public library, so anyone wishing to check
out a book must travel to a neighboring city. She
and her volunteers built and designed four small libraries to
solve this issue. She created awareness of the issue, focusing on
elementary and middle school kids to collect donations to stock
the Book Houses. A QR scanning system helps track the books
and describes Cassandra’s project to users. All locations have
library stewards to monitor and restock the books as needed.
Cassandra will graduate from Marcus High School in 2016.
Allison Chaffin
Fun, Fit and Healthy
Girl Scout Troop 2030. Allison addressed the
need for education and reinforcement of healthy
living lifestyles to intellectually disabled persons.
This project resonated with Allison because
she has watched her own sister and her friends
struggle with this issue. She and her volunteers researched
nutrition, healthy foods and exercise to create a clinic to teach
healthy eating habits, good food choices and easy exercises.
The clinics were delivered to over 60 people at the Notre Dame
School and My Possibilities, both special needs organizations.
The organizations will use her materials and bulletin boards to
continue her program. Allison will graduate from Bishop Lynch
High School in 2016.
Julia Chung
Summer Health and Tennis Camp
Girl Scout Troop 1085. Julia wanted to educate
the children at Bea’s Kids, an organization that
works with lower-socioeconomic families, about
the importance of a healthy lifestyle. She and
her volunteers taught the children about healthy
nutrition and getting exercise, using tennis to put their lessons
into action. The children participated in a tennis workshop for
over two weeks, where they learned how to stretch before playing, the rules and scoring of the game, and then played tennis
each day. Bea’s Kids will be continuing Julia’s program using her
instructions and donated tennis equipment. Julia will graduate
from Plano West Senior High School in 2016.
Andrea Clark
The New Frontier, STEM
Girl Scout Juliette. Andrea worked with students
from the STEM Academy at Coppell High School
to transform two science classrooms. She and
her volunteers redesigned the space from cookie
cutter rooms that resembled all the others at the
school into unique rooms with personality that are welcoming
and encourage learning. The rooms now reflect the uniqueness
of the STEM program at the high school and will allow for future
alterations and updates in an easy manner by the Academy’s
students and faculty. Andrea graduated from Coppell High
School in 2015.
Sarah Elizabeth Clonch
Safe Socks for Happy Tots
Girl Scout Troop 591. Sarah’s project benefited
young patients at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for
Children. Sarah and her volunteers painted and
decorated over 500 tube socks with colorful and
fun designs for the hospital. The tube socks are
placed over a child’s cast and are pinned to their shirt. The socks
are used in place of traditional slings, which eliminate the risk of
choking. Sarah made an educational Youtube video about using
tube socks as an alternative to traditional slings. Her project
will be sustained by the Hebron High School Art Club. Sarah will
graduate from Hebron High School in 2017.
Samantha Costigan
Making Music Matter
Girl Scout Troop 1424. Samantha worked with
Forman Elementary School in Plano to enhance
their music education program. She and her
volunteers developed a video that explained how
music can positively impact students’ lives, which
was shown to the school’s families. She was able to collect and/
or purchase 41 instruments, which she and her volunteers then
cleaned and refurbished. The instruments as well as music
books and CD’s, were donated to the school to be used in their
music program. The addition of the instruments and music
materials will allow the school to offer instruction regardless of
budget cuts going forward. Samantha will graduate from Plano
East Senior School in 2016.
Azani Creeks
From Readers to Leaders:
Creating A Strong Foundation
Girl Scout Troop 2912. Azani targeted at-risk
elementary aged youth whose reading literacy
was below their current grade level. Working with
Reading Partners, she developed a curriculum
that focused on pronunciation and reading comprehension.
She and her volunteers worked one on one with the youth for
several months. Almost all of the students improved their
reading levels. She was able to confirm this with their teachers
by receiving feedback on how the students were progressing
in their classrooms. Her curriculum will continue to be used in
the after school program, as well as several libraries in her area.
Azani graduated from The Hockaday School in 2015.
Megan Cronan
Kids Self-Defense Awareness Program
– Demonstration Team
Girl Scout Troop 394. Megan formed a Taekwondo
demonstration team to work with the community
and teach children the importance of awareness and self-defense. She and her team of 12
taekwondo students travelled to local elementary schools and
hosted workshops to share their knowledge with several hundred children. The goal was to empower children to become
more confident and in control of their surroundings. She distributed a self-defense cartoon coloring page to the students
and has the project documented for future use by others in the
Taekwondo America Organization. Megan will graduate from
Loretta Doll Academy in 2018.
Deirdre Crowley
Building Love by Building a Garden Box
Girl Scout Juliette. Deirdre planned and built
above-ground garden boxes at the Heard
Museum. The garden will feed the animals and
amphibian inhabitants at the facility, which
emphasizes an appreciation of nature and
conservation through education. The garden will serve as
an educational tool for everyone to learn how to grow and
maintain a garden, stressing the importance and benefits to the
environment as well as the Museum. She and her volunteers
trained the Heard Museum on how to maintain the garden and
the facility has placed the information on their website for all to
use. Deirdre will graduate from Lovejoy High School in 2016.
Flannery Currin
Play What?
Girl Scout Troop 306. Flannery set up a music
therapy program for dementia and memory loss
patients at Highland Springs. The pilot program
was designed to measure the impact of music
therapy compared to just using medication. She
and her volunteers met with residents, individually at first, and
then in groups to introduce music to help memory loss. The
sessions became an excellent way for the residents to interact
and the music ended up encouraging them to sing, dance and
talk. Using Flannery’s “how-to” manual, the facility will be continuing her program. Flannery graduated from the Talented and
Gifted Magnet in 2015.
Ziba Damanwalla
Our Friends Place
Girl Scout Troop 2143. Ziba’s project created
awareness for Our Friends Place, an organization
that provides homeless young women, girls aging
out of foster care, and young women escaping
abuse with supportive homes where they can
learn skills they need for self-sufficiency. She and her volunteers
put together a Field Day featuring games, activities, and food to
invite the community to learn about this organization. Through
her work, the organization garnered many new volunteers and a
new marketing brochure. Her instructions on how to hold a Field
Day are available on iBook. Ziba graduated from Early College
High School in 2015. Olga Delgadillo
Warming Hearts
Girl Scout Troop 1248. Olga created awareness
about Leukemia and ways people can help those
with cancer in their communities. She and her
volunteers educated students about the disease,
its symptoms, and treatment methods. Using pre
and post surveys, for the students, she was able to confirm that
her presentations were effective. She also donated over 100
knitted hats to the patients to use as they experienced hair loss.
Her Instagram page contains instructions on how to make more
hats and continues to educate others about the disease. Olga
graduated from Lake Highlands High School in 2015.
Arzu Dhanani
Bea’s Music Blast
Girl Scout Troop 2143. Arzu’s project addressed
the issue of literacy in youth ages 6 to 10 by working with Bea’s Kids, an organization that provides
educational and personal development programs
to at-risk children. She developed a one week
summer program to expand the vocabulary and literary skills of
over fifty students using music and current “pop” songs through
a reading workshop. She and her volunteers at the end of the
camp had successfully improved the students’ scores on a
standardized vocabulary test from 41% to 91%. Bea’s kids will be
incorporating Arzu’s curriculum into all future summer camp offerings. Arzu will graduate from Hebron High School in 2016.
Lindsey Doepfner
Healthy Snacks
Girl Scout Troop 586. Lindsey collaborated with
Readers to Leaders, an afterschool care program
that provides tutoring in West Dallas. Recognizing
that their kitchen area needed a facelift, she
and her volunteers painted, decorated, and
reorganized the kitchen making it more efficient to serve afterschool snacks. She educated the staff on how to create healthy,
nutritious, low cost snacks. She also taught the students how
to replicate these snacks at home. She constructed a binder
with the snack ideas and different seasonal themes to be used
by the staff going forward. Lindsey will graduate from Ursuline
Academy of Dallas in 2016.
Kristine Ehlinger
High Hopes for Teens
Girl Scout Troop 586. Kristine collaborated with
the Santa Clara Community Center to provide
resources for at-risk teenage students. She
and her volunteers updated the Teen Room,
building new cubbies, adding backpack hangers,
and creating a sewing machine education module with videos
to demonstrate how to use the machine. She also created
a listing of options for students after high school regarding
careers and higher education that the Center has incorporated
into their permanent curriculum. Her hope was to provide a
positive atmosphere encouraging the students to make good
life decisions regarding their futures. Kristine will graduate from
Bishop Lynch High School in 2016.
Lauren Endsley
Bicycle Safety Carnival
Girl Scout Troop 1810. Lauren’s project focused
on bicycle safety in the format of a carnival. She
and her volunteers created activities to educate
and promote safe and smart biking. The activities
introduced the importance of safety gear, such
as helmets and proper clothing, hand signals, road signs and
bike maintenance in a fun and playful way. Her carnivals taught
almost 90 participants how to be safer bikers, hopefully,
resulting in less bicycle accidents. Holy Trinity Learning Center
will be continuing this event using her “how-to” manual on an
annual basis. Lauren graduated from North Hills Preparatory in
2015.
Hailey Falies
Make a Splash
Girl Scout Troop 1699. Hailey’s project addressed
water safety by collaborating with the Richardson
YMCA. Working at several apartment complexes
in at-risk communities, she and her volunteers
taught children how to swim and other life saving
techniques to use in emergency situations around a pool. Many
of the children lacked swimsuits or goggles. Through presentations about this need, Hailey had over 100 new swimsuits and
40 pairs of goggles donated to her program. The apartment
complexes will maintain their relationship with the YMCA, who
will continue to offer this program and use it as a model to grow
in the community. Hailey will graduate from Richardson High
School in 2017.
Katharine Foster
Roots for Change
Girl Scout Troop 323. Katharine planned and implemented a workshop at Marsh Middle School for
over 135 sixth grade girls focusing on STEM fields
and careers. She and her volunteers developed
materials to boost their confidence as leaders and
to think beyond traditional gender roles. Using various media
and experiments, she introduced the girls to different engineering and STEM fields. The workshop was so successful that the
school’s STEM class for the following year was filled past capacity. The school is now adding more STEM classes to address
the need this workshop generated. Katharine will graduate from
Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet in 2016.
Khendra Gordon
Helping Haiti
Girl Scout Troop 1708. Khendra’s project
benefited 50 girls attending the Harmonie
Ministries’ school for girls in Haiti. She and her
volunteers coordinated several local collection
drives for personal care items which were then
sent to Haiti. She created awareness on the importance of
these items, explaining how they increase the girls’ confidence
in themselves and lead to higher completion rates in their
education. She also used a pen pal program to help inspire and
build confidence for the Haitian students. The youth group at
her church will be continuing this relationship with the school.
Khendra graduated from Hebron High School in 2015.
Vidya Govindarajan
Blow Me Away
GS Troop 498. Vidya designed an app with
activities to increase children’s’ lung function
by learning to play the recorder. Worldwide,
pneumonia and other lung ailments account for
over 18% of children’s deaths annually. The app
gives kids the opportunity to have fun with their lung exercises as
their health improves. She and her volunteers videotaped Vidya
demonstrating how to play the recorder then also provided
the music for many songs. The video was incorporated into
the app and uploaded to YouTube. Texas Health Presbyterian
Hospital has also added the app into their treatment options for
lung exercises. Vidya will graduate from Plano East Senior High
School in 2016. Kristina Graffy
Passport at the Dallas Zoo
Girl Scout Troop 603. Kristina created a passport
of activities about various animals at the Dallas
Zoo. Her goal was to encourage the kids to learn
more about the different animals’ habitat, food
and characteristics by completing the activities
rather than just passively looking at the animals. She and her volunteers held a day long workshop to deliver the program. Over
150 kids participated and received a prize for their efforts. The
Zoo will continue her program using her provided materials. She
also sent the materials to the San Francisco, Central Park and
Philadelphia Zoos to consider using. Kristina graduated from
The Hockaday School in 2015.
Madison Grimes
My Possibilities Cookbook
Girl Scout Troop 1505. Madison collaborated
with My Possibilities, an organization that serves
mentally disabled adults, to design and create a
section of a family cookbook that will benefit the
school. Madison solicited over 30 recipes from the
families and friends of the school’s students. She and her volunteers tested the submitted recipes, then formatted and printed
the recipes for the school to use. Madison also taught recipes
from the cookbook to the adult students in the school’s kitchen
during two of their culinary arts classes. Madison will graduate
from Greenhill School in 2016.
Morgan Grimes
Support for Families of Fallen Soldiers
Girl Scout Troop 1505. Morgan’s project directly
benefited children who had lost a military parent.
She partnered with the Linus Project to donate
100 blankets to children attending the Snow Ball
Express, an annual event for military families.
Morgan and her volunteers made fleece blankets for the event.
She also produced a video on how to make fleece blankets and
posted it on YouTube. Morgan’s school will provide the opportunity for students to continue to work with the Linus Project
making blankets for this annual event. Morgan will graduate from
Greenhill High School in 2016.
Bobbye Hampton
Oral Health in the 21st Century
Girl Scout Troop 651. Bobbye’s project
educated people about the importance of oral
health. Focusing on minority communities
that are disproportionately affected by oral
health diseases, she and her volunteers taught
about annual dental checkups, cavity prevention, oral cancer
warning signs, and gum disease. Using a game to encourage
participation, she stressed that affordable options for oral
health care exist and that the fear of a dental visit is unfounded.
Her goal was to change people’s attitudes toward preventative
oral health. The Future Dental Club at Baylor will be continuing
her education mission. Bobbye graduated from the School for
the Talented and Gifted in 2015.
Hannah Hansen
Senior Preparedness Kits
Girl Scout Troop 2439. Hannah developed
emergency preparedness kits for at-risk senior
citizens. The clients of the Meals on Wheels of
Collin County, (MOW), received the kits, which
contained items such as antibacterial wipes, batteries, an emergency blanket, flashlights, socks and a whistle. An
emergency checklist with suggested documents and medications to have on hand for an unplanned emergency or disaster
was included. The community awareness she created provided
enough funds to also purchase walkers and microwaves for the
organization. A list of supplies has been promoted to her church
and homeschool group to ensure sustainability. Hannah will
graduate from a home school program in 2016.
Brandy Hayes
Project Hope for Teen Mothers
Girl Scout Juliette. Brandy’s project focused on
working with Project Hope for Teen Mothers, an
organization that provides informational resource
brochures and baby-item donations to local
pregnancy resource centers. Brandy, with her
volunteers, organized a donation drive collecting over 3,000
baby items which were distributed to White Rose Center and
the Birth Choice Center. She produced an educational YouTube
video and resource brochure to educate teens who have an
unexpected pregnancy about options and support available
to them. Both resources will be used by several local agencies
going forward. In recognition of her project, Brandy was recently
named the 2016 Father Edward Robinson, O.P., Pro-Life Person
of the Year. She is the youngest person to receive this honor.
Brandy will graduate from Tyler Street Christian Academy in
2017.
Madison Helms
Birthday Bags
Girl Scout Troop 277. Madison focused on the
foster care system in Dallas. She completed
many presentations outlining how the system
works and the needs that foster children have.
One need that was identified by the Community
Partners of Dallas, was for birthday bags. Foster children very
often do not have the opportunity to celebrate their birthdays.
Through her presentations, several organizations decided to
adopt this project and help her create over 300 birthday bags
with celebration items, like a cake mix, candles and toys. These
organizations are continuing this project, spreading it globally
throughout their national offices. Madison will graduate from
Trinity Christian Academy in 2016.
Neva Henderson
Vacation Bible School Brookwood,
“Making a Splash”
Girl Scout Troop 317. Neva’s project served
adults with disabilities in two ways. She and her
volunteers created a weekend Vacation Bible
School for over 125 participants at Brookwood
Community, near Houston, Texas. The weekend gave the adults
an opportunity to relive childhood memories, while participating
in God-centered activities. Neva also created awareness
about this topic, speaking about how to work and interact with
adults with disabilities. Her curriculum has been shared with
several Dallas area facilities who work with this population, and
the National Charity League has added it to their volunteer
opportunities list. Neva will graduate from Highland Park High
School in 2017.
Nicole Herleman
Interfaith Teen Library
Girl Scout Troop 580. Nicole worked with the
Interfaith Housing Coalition benefitting young
adults aged 13 to 18 by creating a library and
starting a book club to promote literacy. She
created awareness in her community about this
need and solicited over 500 books for the new library. She and
her volunteers organized the books by genre and then generated
discussion as the teens read the books. The teen director at the
organization will maintain the library and has already noticed an
increased interest in higher education due to the new library.
Nicole will graduate from Ursuline Academy of Dallas in 2016.
McKenzie Hicks
The Creation Station
Girl Scout Troop 2176. McKenzie collaborated
with My Friend’s House, an organization that
helps at-risk youth in Colin County. She and her
volunteers renovated the arts and crafts area at
the facility, naming it the Creation Station. A book
with craft ideas, based on using recyclable materials, was also
created to encourage the youth to use the area as a means of
self-expression. The organization will maintain the area going
forward. McKenzie graduated from Plano Senior High School in
2015.
Morgan Hicks
Healthy Living
Girl Scout Troop 2176. Morgan’s project expanded
the curriculum relating to nutrition at City
House, an organization that helps at-risk youth
in Collin County. She and her volunteers created
a workshop and cookbook for the children
that focused on basic kitchen skills and the importance of
maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The workshop covered how
to read a recipe, food preparation safety, and measurement
conversion charts as some of the components. The cookbook,
with healthy and easy step-by- step meal instructions, will
continue be used by City House to reinforce healthy eating
habits. Morgan graduated from Plano Senior High School in
2015.
Audrey Hiltabidle
Chase’s Place Yearbook: Memories
that Last a Lifetime
Girl Scout Troop 2016. Audrey collaborated with
Chase’s Place, a school for students with developmental disabilities. Audrey and her volunteers
worked with the students’ families and the staff at
the school to create the school’s first traditional yearbook. Audrey designed a customized book that profiled each child with
their own page, in additional to highlighting other school events
and activities. She provided the school with a detailed “how to”
manual so that other volunteers can continue the tradition of
producing this keepsake for its students and families. Audrey will
graduate from Bishop Lynch High School in 2016.
Amy Hoang
Run for Food
Girl Scout Troop 1437. Amy planned and
implemented a Run for Food 5K to create
awareness about the hunger crisis in the
Plano area. This issue is spurred by sudden
unemployment and increases in the cost of
food, gas, utilities or rent. Working with Minnie’s Food Pantry, all
participants brought canned goods for their race entry fee which
were then donated to the food pantry. She and her volunteers
coordinated all details to make sure the race ran smoothly from
mapping out the route to acquiring the proper permits. This
event will be continued annually. Amy will graduate from Plano
East Senior High School in 2016.
Jocelyn Hodges
Plastic to Fantastic
Girl Scout Troop 153. Jocelyn wanted to increase
awareness about recycling in her community.
She designed workshops to inspire people to
recycle and gave them the tools necessary to help
reduce their carbon footprint. She presented
her workshops at places such as Kids Day in the Park, Earth
awareness events, school service organizations, and the
Whitehouse Park Commission. She focused primarily on plastic,
encouraging recycling and showing how to use plastics for craft
activities. Her local Key Club and the recycling center will use her
“how-to” booklet to continue this workshop annually. Jocelyn
will graduate from Bullard High School in 2016.
Leslie Hogue
Garden Improvements
Girl Scout Troop 9277. Leslie collaborated with
the Ridgecrest Healthcare and Rehabilitation
Center to enhance their outdoor activities for
their elderly residents. She created a gardening
club and a water conservation system to
encourage the residents to do more outside activities. She
and her volunteers designed and built a potting table that
was wheelchair accessible and a rain barrel to give residents
an easier way to water and care for the plants. The activities
director at the facility will continue to sponsor the gardening
club, with the residents determining what plants and activities
they retain. Leslie will graduate from Forney High School in 2017.
Mary Holguin
Craft Kits
Girl Scout Troop 1458. Mary and her volunteers
made 26 reusable craft boxes for the children
at Hope’s Door, an organization that works with
families affected by domestic violence and abuse.
The craft kits gave the children an opportunity
to use their imagination and creativity as they learned about
different types of art, while their mothers got a little time to
themselves. The kits will be used on designated craft nights
as well as whenever the children have free time. Her “how-to”
manual will be used by Hope’s Door to continue her project.
Mary graduated from John Paul II High School in 2015.
Kate Holland
Below the Line
Girl Scout Troop 277. Kate wrote and filmed a
documentary focusing on the people Below the
Poverty Line in Dallas. Using individuals from
the local homeless community who shared
their individual stories, she explored the societal
stigma and treatment of the homeless. Her film addressed the
misconceptions that people in this community face on a daily
basis. Her goal was to educate and sensitize people so that they
would be inspired to volunteer or aid this homeless community.
Her video is available on You Tube and as a resource for the
agencies she worked with directly. Kate will graduate from
Highland Park High School in 2016.
Lossie Hudspeth
New Room
Girl Scout Troop 156. Lossie and her volunteers
remodeled a room at Lovers Lane United
Methodist Church that was underutilized and
outdated. They removed old, stained carpet,
scraped away carpet glue, and then sealed
the concrete for low maintenance. The walls were scrubbed
and repainted. She cleaned and updated existing furniture,
purchased new area rugs, a table with storage cubbies, and
chairs for the room. The room will now serve a larger population
of the congregation for a variety of activities. The room will
be maintained by the church staff. Lossie will graduate from
Booker T Washington High School for the Performing and Visual
Arts in 2016.
Carolyn Huynh
Village Health Journey
Girl Scout Troop 398. Carolyn focused on creating
awareness relating to the extreme conditions
such as malnutrition, leprosy and blindness that
people live under in third world countries such
as Vietnam. She traveled to Vietnam, bringing
supplies and support she received from donations at home.
She and her volunteers visited multiple orphanages, shelters
for abandoned elderly women and medical facilities. Food and
medical supplies were provided along with medical expertise
for 40 cataract surgeries. Her website and blog will continue
to educate people about this issue. Carolyn will graduate from
Texas Academy of Math and Science High School in 2017. Lauren Jackson
TRUly needed supplies for Sky Ranch
TRU Campers
Girl Scout Troop 330. Lauren partnered with the
staff at Sky Ranch summer camp to provide much
needed gift bags to children attending a one week
summer program at the camp. These children
came from underprivileged backgrounds and had at least one
incarcerated parent. Lauren and her volunteers assembled and
decorated 350 bags containing toiletries, a journal and a pen,
candy, a religious bracelet, a small flashlight, and a personal inspirational note written by Lauren. Lauren’s church youth group
choir will provide these gift bags in the future. Lauren will graduate from Highland Park High School in 2016.
Inaara Jamal
WriteRight!
Girl Scout Troop 2143. Inaara taught grammar
classes at the Boys and Girls Club of Collin
County (BGCCC) in Frisco to help elementary
level students develop a strong foundation of
the English language before advancing to Middle
School. Whether it’s an essay in school or the SAT, it is essential
to be knowledgeable about grammar rules. She designed her own
curriculum based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills
(TEKS), which she and her volunteers delivered during two weeks
of workshops at the BGCCC Frisco. The BGCCC will continue her
program, using the resource materials she has provided them.
Inaara will graduate from Hebron High School in 2016.
Sarah Jankowiak
Helping Hands Make Healthy Hearts
Girl Scout Troop 2613. Sarah’s project educated
her high school community about health and
disabilities. To accomplish these goals, she
and her volunteers organized a basic training
class in CPR for her senior class to attend. She
also designed and implemented a health fair which focused
on disability awareness through hands-on activities that help
simulate disabilities such as being hearing impaired, blind or
dyslexic. This brought awareness to faculty and students about
CPR and coping with disabilities. Her handbook on how to plan
similar events and CPR information remain at the school to be
continued by the Health Club. Sarah will graduate from Plano
Academy High School in 2016.
Catherine Jones
True Blue Friendship Porum
Girl Scout Troop 8539. Catherine designed and
implemented a workshop for girls entering 6th
grade at Christ the King School. The workshop
prepared the girls to deal more effectively with
social issues typically encountered during
middle school. She and her volunteers taught the girls how to
build healthy relationships and bond as classmates. It was so
successful, that the school will deliver the program each fall as
new 6th grade girls begin classes. She also created a website
with all of her materials and presented them to the Dallas
Diocese who will be using them next year in new locations.
Catherine will graduate from Ursuline Academy of Dallas in 2018.
Sneha Karkala
SpeakCoppell
Girl Scout Troop 2533. Sneha held four workshops
for third to fifth grade students to stimulate
effective student communication, gain more
confidence in their speaking skills, and overcome
their fear of public speaking. She developed
lesson plans and activities, recruited volunteers from her school
speech and debate clubs, and created instructional videos. The
videos, available on SpeakCoppell’s YouTube Channel, provide
a step-by- step guide to public speaking and are accessible to
students, parents and teachers. A group of underclassmen in
Sneha’s debate class have committed to hosting more speech
workshops using her materials. Sneha will graduate from
Coppell High School in 2016.
Pauline Kerr
Austin Street Shelter Rain Gear
Collection
Girl Scout Troop 1897. Pauline created awareness
about the Austin Street Shelter and ways to help
the organization. Working with the homeless
shelter, she identified the need for rain gear
to protect their clients from the weather. With appropriate
rain gear, the clients can secure their important papers and
clothing. Pauline collected of over 300 ponchos, rain jackets
and umbrellas which helped the homeless remain dry and
addressed the shelter’s limited clothing supply resources. She
and her volunteers also ran an afternoon of entertainment. The
rain gear will be replenished by her school’s Austin Street Shelter
Club as needed. Pauline will graduate from Ursuline Academy of
Dallas in 2016.
Lauren Kettenhofen
Girls Fit Fest
Girl Scout Troop 1699. Lauren designed and
implemented a workshop for younger girls to
educate them about healthy eating, exercise and
building self-confidence. By tackling these issues
early, she hoped to prevent future body image
problems that girls may be prone to experiencing. She secured
several speakers who addressed these issues and then with
the help of her volunteers, the girls learned how to plan and eat
healthy foods, how to exercise and enjoy it and how to become
more confident. Each girl received a video of the event to share
with others and re-watch to inspire them. Lauren will graduate
from Richardson High School Magnet in 2017.
Kelli Kissinger
Mustang Historical Garden
GS Troop 256. Kelli’s project addressed
continuing the 60 year spirit of Tyler’s Moore MST
Magnet Middle School. The original school was
being torn down and moved to a new facility, so
Kelli built a 2000 square foot historical garden
to commemorate its history. This garden represents the past
while looking forward. Working with the school, PTA, and her
community, Kelli landscaped, added benches, and refurbished
their aging mustang monuments. Their 60 year celebration
will be held at the garden in May and then the garden will be
maintained by the school. Kelli will graduate from Robert E. Lee
High School in 2016.
Grace Knight
Tangles of Life
Girl Scout Troop 256. Grace’s project was
designed to unify Cystic Fibrosis patients who
often feel isolated and alone. Due to the nature
of this disease, patients cannot come in direct
contact with each other. Grace, who is a CF
patient, reached out globally to other CF patients, their friends
and families for donations of personally written poems. Grace
and her volunteers edited and compiled over 70 poems and
published them in a book, called the Tangles of Life. It was then
distributed to patients and the book’s contributors. Additionally,
Grace educated her community about this disease through
presentations and the distribution of her book to CF facilities.
Grace will graduate from Bishop TK Gorman High School in 2016.
Allison Kornher
Job Search Skills for Special Needs Adults
Girl Scout Troop 1608. Allison addressed the issues that special needs adults face when searching for jobs. She and her volunteers worked with
My Possibilities and their education center to
design and lead sessions to teach special needs
adults about resume writing, job applications, and job interviewing. Using videos, handouts and online resources, every adult
was able to create a resume, complete a job application and answer specific questions that commonly come up in interviews.
The curriculum will be reused by My Possibilities, as well as the
videos that are now available on You Tube. Allison graduated
from Plano West Senior High School in 2015.
Nicole Krampitz
Skype Connections at Clifton Sunset Home
Girl Scout Troop 1687. Nicole worked with the
Clifton Sunset Home, an assisted living and
nursing facility. She and her volunteers taught
the residents basic features of computer use
and how to use Skype. Using Skype, they were
able to connect with family and friends in distant places,
helping to combat loneliness in their living places. She left a
booklet explaining the functions of Skype and other Windows
applications for residents to continue connecting by computer.
The staff at the facility will also monitor the equipment and
assist when needed. Nicole will graduate from The Hockaday
School in 2016.
Mansi Kumar
Book Nook
Girl Scout Troop 1505. Mansi collaborated
with Methodist Hospital to expand their library
for patient use. Recognizing a new need, she
created a library cart service to bring the books
to patients all over the hospital. She and her
volunteers conducted a book drive that secured over 750 books
which were added to the library. The cart service generated a
new junior volunteer position. Mansi designed and trained the
volunteers on how to run the service and provided all necessary
instructions for it to continue. The hospital will maintain the
service and conduct an annual book drive. Mansi will graduate
from Greenhill School in 2016.
Hannah Kuperschmid
Latin Booth
Girl Scout Troop 330. Hannah’s project focused
on raising awareness of the benefits of studying
the Latin language. As middle school students are
transitioning to high school, many are required
to select a language to study. Hannah and her
volunteers ran a booth at a public event to provide information
about how taking Latin in high school can lead to more scholarship potential. Knowledge of the Latin language can also help a
student to be more successful on the SAT. She provided fliers
and links to websites for national recognition. The Latin Club at
her school will run this booth each year with the information she
created. Hannah will graduate from Highland Park High School in
2016.
Kate Lacina
Literacy: Opening Doors for Life
Girl Scout Troop 2030. Kate made Book Bundles,
drawstring backpacks that were then filled
with new books for the children at CASA and
Community Partners of Dallas. These agencies
work with at-risk children who have limited access
to books, much less the opportunity to own them. She and her
volunteers created awareness of this need at local community
meetings, as they asked for donations of books. Over 200 kids
received a Book Bundle to encourage a love of reading and
improve their literacy skills. The teen board at Community
Partners of Dallas, THANKS will continue this project. Kate will
graduate from Bishop Lynch High School in 2016.
Rukshar Lalani
Healthy Living
Girl Scout Troop 2143. Rukshar educated over 120
children regarding healthy living choices. She and
her volunteers created programming to illustrate
healthy eating habits, the benefits of exercising,
and personal hygiene. Her presentations laid the
foundation for healthier habits helping to reduce the problems
of obesity, diabetes, and potential heart conditions. Each
student received a coloring book and recipes to reinforce the
information they were taught. Rukshar left her materials at all
of the schools she collaborated with to be incorporated into
their annual curriculum. Rukshar graduated from North Hills
Preparatory in 2015.
Cecile Leclerc
Sewing Sense
GS Troop 115. Cecile’s project addressed the lack
of basic sewing skills throughout her community. To prepare for the workshop, she and her
volunteers created examples of the items that
participants would be making, along with detailed
instructions to follow. During her three day workshop, she
taught both males and females, ranging in age from 10 to 60,
the skills to repair their clothing, sew buttons, and make pajama
shorts using a sewing machine. She provided all teaching
materials to St. Cecilia Catholic School who is interested in
starting a sewing club in the future. Cecile will graduate from the
School of Science and Engineering Magnet in 2016.
Isabella Limber
Catch Some Zzz’s, Lights Out Please
Girl Scout Troop 2030. Isabella educated
students at St. Thomas Aquinas, The Notre
Dame School of Dallas, and parents about
the importance of healthy sleep habits. Using
presentations at the schools, she explained why
healthy sleeping habits directly affect physical and mental
health. She and her volunteers offered tips such as turning off
electronic devices an hour before bedtime, limiting caffeine
intake and regulating weekend sleep patterns as ways to
improve sleep habits. She also provided sleep logs for the
students to use to monitor their sleep patterns. Her program
will now be offered at the schools annually. Isabella will graduate
from Ursuline Academy of Dallas in 2016.
Alina Linde
School. help (students)
Girl Scout Troop 8362. Alina organized afterschool weekly computer science tutoring sessions
and recruited other upperclassmen to help
teach pre-AP and AP computer science, discrete
mathematics, and coding for competitions at her
school. This peer tutoring program served about 150 students
during the school year. Recognizing a large gender gap in the
computer science field, this program enabled other girls to
see Alina as a role model to encourage them to enter this field.
She worked with teachers to make study guides and recruited
students from younger grades so that the program will continue
at the school. Alina will graduate from the Talented and Gifted
Magnet in 2016.
Aspen Ludwig
Crafty Kids
Girl Scout Troop 394. Aspen’s project focused
on the issue of global warming. To teach kids
ages 3-6 about this issue, she and her volunteers
designed crafts to be made using recycled items.
She held 8 sessions of 20 kids each, at CK studios
during the summer, using different themes to teach kids about
recycling. The kids learned that art made with recycled materials can have an impact on the environment while having fun creating the crafts. She left information with the camp on how to
reproduce these crafts, which the camp has agreed to use in the
future. Aspen will graduate from Sachse High School in 2016.
Parisa Mahmud
Girls Leadership Bootcamp
Girl Scout Troop 25. Parisa focused on girls ages
8-10 to plan and implement a Bootcamp about
building confidence, making stable friendships
and working through the rocky preteen years.
She and her volunteers presented a three week
workshop at her mosque for over 18 girls, delivering activities,
crafts and helping the girls to bond together as a group. Problem
solving, feeling empowered, and speaking skills were honed,
giving the girls leadership options as they continue to grow into
young women. Her program will be sponsored by the Sisters’
Committee each spring and summer going forward. Parisa will
graduate from Plano West Senior High School in 2017.
Jessica Marshall
Dolls for Kids
Girl Scout Troop 1485. Jessica worked with
Child Life of Medical City Dallas to donate over
300 blank cloth dolls to the hospital. These
dolls are used to demonstrate procedures that
a child may experience during their treatment.
The organization was in need of a new pattern that they could
replicate legally. Jessica designed a pattern under creative
commons, so that Child Life can now distribute it. She and her
volunteers explained the need for this tool as they taught others
how to sew the dolls. Her instructions are available online and
at the hospital to continue this project. Jessica graduated from
North Garland High School in 2015.
Aryn McGuire
Rejuvenation of a Visitation Room
at Child Protective Services, Dallas
GS Troop 1897. Aryn renovated a visitation room
used by Child Protective Services of Dallas for
its clients dealing with broken family issues. She
and her volunteers created a place for families
to try and reconnect that would have activities to share and yet
be fun. The room was freshly painted, new toys added and an
educational component revolving around geography included
a large painted map of the United States, a binder with fun facts
about each state and other world posters. The agency will
maintain the room and update it as needed. Aryn will graduate
from John Paul ll High School in 2016. Dorothy Meachum
Building Connecting Point Park Cities’
Library
Girl Scout Troop 277. Dorothy built a library for the
Connecting Point of Park Cities (CPPC). CPPC is
an organization that provides day care for adults
with mental and physical disabilities. She and her
volunteers created awareness about this new organization as
they collected donated books and magazines for the library.
Bookshelves were constructed and rocking chairs refurbished
to create a new and inviting area for the adults to use to read
and play games. The library will be maintained by the staff at
the organization, using it to have reading activities added to the
permanent curriculum. Dorothy will graduate from Highland
Park High School in 2016.
Sarah Mease
A Home for the Bookless
Girl Scout Troop 586. Sarah collaborated with
the Austin Street Shelter to rebuild two libraries
for its homeless residents and start a book club.
The libraries gave the residents an outlet for
creativity by providing them with the opportunity
to read and discuss books. She and her volunteers built and
placed the new bookshelves. She conducted a book drive and
ended up with enough books to replenish the library. Sarah
invited an author to the shelter who encouraged the participants
to advocate for themselves. Her church and school will be
adopting her project and continuing it going forward. Sarah will
graduate from Bishop Lynch High School in 2016. Maranda Meyer
Feeding the New Generation
Girl Scout Troop 650. Maranda’s project
educated children on the fundamental basics of
how to garden. Working with families from the
Dallas Bethlehem Center, she and her volunteers
created gardening lessons to present on the
Second Saturday of each month. The children were taught the
skills to properly weed, plow, seed, water and harvest vegetables
in a garden. They also learned how to select the best plants and
herbs for the Texas heat. This program will be continued by the
agency using Maranda’s materials reinforcing the importance of
gardening to maintain a healthy diet. Maranda will graduate from
Edward Marcus High School in 2016.
Mariah Miles
Food for the Soul
Girl Scout Troop 565. Mariah’s project focused
on hunger and helping the high school students of
her community who qualify for free and reduced
lunches. She and her volunteers filled a reusable
tote bag with enough food for breakfast, lunch,
and snacks for each student to eat over the weekend. The students can now concentrate on their academics and not worry
about where their next meal will come from every weekend. The
SADD club at Commerce high school has agreed to continue
this project using the resource guide she created. Mariah will
graduate from Commerce High School in 2016.
Anusha Mithani
A Healthy You
Girl Scout Troop 7852. Anusha’s project focused
on the issue of childhood obesity and aimed to
raise awareness on the importance of nutrition
and exercise. To encourage a healthy lifestyle
starting at a young age, she ran a workshop for 3 to
6 year olds at a local Montessori school. She and her volunteers
created fun, but informational materials, such as a coloring
book, crafts, and physical activities to educate the students
on maintaining healthy daily habits. Her materials will be used
by the school to repeat the program based on the training she
provided to the staff. Anusha will graduate from Hebron School
in 2017.
Cristina Moore
Agape Clinic Reorganization
Girl Scout Troop 323. Cristina worked with the
Agape Clinic, a non-profit clinic that serves the
working poor in East Dallas. The clinic is severely
under staffed impacting the way the patients’
files are maintained. Cristina and her volunteers
reorganized the patient charts, placing them in alphabetical
and chronological order to generate more efficiency. She also
updated the reception area and created awareness about the
importance of free or low cost health care. Her ‘how-to’ manual
will allow the clinic to train new volunteers and continue to
serve over 10,000 patients a year in a more productive manner.
Cristina will graduate from W. T. White High School in 2016.
Alejandra Moreno
College Awareness
Girl Scout Troop 135. Alejandra’s project focused
on educating parents who did not attend college
about college preparedness. Her goal was to
teach parents with elementary school children the
expectations and procedures needed to plan for
college for their family. Alejandra and her volunteers prepared
video presentations (in English and Spanish) and brochures with
information explaining the entire college application process.
She spoke to parents at Plano elementary schools and at her
church. Her presentations and brochures will be used in future
events at the schools. Alejandra graduated from Plano East
Senior High School in 2015.
Emily Morris
Let the Games Begin for Senior
Wellness
Girl Scout Troop 809. Emily worked with the
Flower Mound Senior Center to stimulate the
physical, social, and mental well-being of over 200
older adults. She and her volunteers assembled
20 rolling side/game tables for the seniors to use when they
do puzzles and play games. She also raised awareness about
senior health issues, donated new games and puzzles, and
created monthly family nights for volunteers to interact with the
seniors. The center will maintain these activities and tables and
a template is posted on a website for other centers to duplicate
her project. Emily will graduate from a home school program
with dual college credits in 2017.
Kate Morrison
Team 22 Leadership Project
Girl Scout Troop 589. Kate collaborated with
Team 22, a program created by the Pat and
Emmitt Smith Foundation to provide high
achieving at-risk middle and high school students
with mentoring and leadership opportunities.
Kate and her volunteers created leadership seminars to mentor
the middle school students at Camp Champions, a three- week
program that focuses on responsibility, reaching out to others,
reasonable risk and respect. She also coordinated a buddy
program for the high school students to mentor the incoming
middle school students attending Camp Champions. She
developed a marketing brochure for the Foundation to use
for sponsorships for Team 22 Leadership programs. Kate will
graduate from Ursuline Academy in 2016.
Emily Moussa
Audio Visual Improvements
Girl Scout Troop 1888. Emily updated and
redesigned the Audio Visual systems at St.
Philopateer Coptic Orthodox Church. Using
money she had earned, she purchased new wiring
and equipment for the many TV’s located at the
church. She and her volunteers then rewired the system to
allow church members to view the TV screens in new locations.
This helped address overflow crowds that sometimes occurred
during services. Emily setup a manual and training sessions for
Church members on how to use the new equipment. The new
volunteers will continue monitoring and operating the system
going forward. Emily will graduate from Prince of Peace Christian
in 2016.
Katherine Muck
Values in a Box
Girl Scout Troop 8539. Katherine collaborated
with Readers2Leaders, an afterschool tutoring
program for at-risk youth in West Dallas.
Recognizing that the teachers didn’t have
time to develop curriculum after tutoring was
complete, she and her volunteers designed eight boxes that
focused on character traits and skills such as self-control,
friendship, teamwork, and respect. The activities encouraged
the children to explore new ideas related to the earth, space,
and structures in a fun manner. Her instructions and materials
needed to replenish the boxes were left with the organization
and also provided to Dallas Afterschool to share in their national
newsletter. Katherine will graduate from Ursuline Academy of
Dallas in 2018.
Gabrielle Mungiguerra
NICU Home away from Home
GS Troop 313. Gabrielle created a permanent
electronics hub for the Neonatal Intensive Care
Unit at Children’s Medical Center of Plano. Her
hub was designed to alleviate the stress families
face at the NICU by making the area feel more
like home. The hub includes two Google Chrome Pads with
protective covers and screen protectors, two multi-option
chargers for phones and other electronic devices. She and
her volunteers also donated baby blankets and burp clothes
completed during a workshop she ran. The Google Chrome
Pads allow the parents to keep family and friends informed by
using Skype technology. Gabrielle will graduate from Flower
Mound High School in 2016. Christina Munnings
Book Nook at Stepping Stone Learning
Center
Girl Scout Troop 1680. Christina and her
volunteers built bookcases and collected more
than 250 books to create a ‘Book Nook’ library in
Kim’s Stepping Stone Learning Center. Christina
attended the facility as a child and wanted to give back to the
center. As part of her project, she organized bi-weekly reading
sessions for the 40+ children who attend the center. Her goal
was to create a love of reading for the participants, improving
their literacy for future education. The Center will maintain the
library and host an annual book drive to replenish the books as
needed. Christina will graduate from Coppell High School in
2016.
Nilanjana Nair
Surviving High School, a Guide for
Freshmen
Girl Scout Troop 3879. Nilanjana designed a
program for incoming freshmen to smooth the
transition from middle school to high school. She
and her volunteers used short presentations and
team building activities to focus on topics such as how to be
organized, how to relieve stress, and how to use technology.
Methods to prioritize extracurricular activities and homework
and ways to build better communication skills with friends and
faculty were also addressed. Her “how-to” manual was given to
the 9th Grade Center at Flower Mound High School for continued
use by incoming freshmen on their website. Nilanjana will
graduate from Flower Mound High School in 2016.
Brooklyn Nash
Confidence is Contagious!
Girl Scout Troop 317. Brooklyn worked with the
Boys and Girls Club of North Central Texas to
address the issues of bullying and how it impacts
self-esteem. She and her volunteers performed
a play using puppets to help kids understand why
bullying happens and how to prevent it. She also worked with a
therapist to share her story, relating specifically with one girl who
was struggling with this issue. Her slideshow, puppets, stage, and
play will remain with the Boys and Girls Club and the therapist
to be used to help others dealing with bullying. Brooklyn will
graduate from the Guyer High School in 2016.
Betti Negussie
Be a STAAR!
Girl Scout Troop 156. Betti’s project focused on
strengthening Walnut Hill Elementary students’
literacy skills. She and her volunteers worked
with English as a second language students from
low-income neighborhoods. Her goal was to
improve the students’ literacy skills enough that they could
pass the standardized STAAR test. She did this by having a
smaller class, more activities, discussion and reflection to build
confidence and create a love of reading. Students who had a
70% attendance rate or higher did pass the exam. Her Student
Council will continue this program, using the instructions and
lessons she created. Betti will graduate from Emmett J Conrad
High School in 2016.
Courtney Newman
The Nature of Books
Girl Scout Troop 1320. Courtney’s goal for her
project was to enhance the Farmer’s Branch
Parks by adding themed libraries. Working with
the park, she and her volunteers designed and
built the two libraries placing a tree-themed one
near the Jeff Burke Nature Preserve and a dog-themed one near
the Jeff Fuller Rose Garden. She collected books that tied in to
each library so that people could further their knowledge about
nature and animals. The city will be monitoring the books and
the libraries locations are registered on the Little Free Libraries
online website. Courtney graduated from Bishop Lynch High
School in 2015.
Amarachi Ngwakwe
Mission Unstoppable
Girl Scout Troop 1437. Amarachi’s project addressed the health and educational issues that
young women in third world countries face due to
limited access to menstrual products. Working
with the Patricia Project, she created awareness in
the community as she sought donations of linens. She and her
volunteers then directed a sewing workshop at Hamilton Park
United Methodist Church to make over 700 sanitary reusable
linens to be sent to Africa. These linens will enable the girls to
continue their education and avoid vaginal infections. The youth
group at her church will continue this project annually. Armarachi will graduate from Plano East Senior School in 2016.
Sydney Nobles
Renovation of Courtyard at
Interfaith Housing Apartments
Girl Scout Troop 2092. Sydney worked with
the Interfaith Housing Coalition, an agency that
addresses the issue of homelessness. She
delivered presentations to groups explaining the
Coalition’s goals and how they accomplish them. She along
with her volunteers renovated the courtyard at the transitional
housing apartments, fixing the grill and damaged table and
benches. She also built two planter boxes for residents to have
a garden area. The space will be maintained by the Coalition
and residents will have a permanent place outside to utilize for
grilling and gardening. Sydney will graduate from Richardson
High School in 2016.
Mackenzie Packer
The Community Prayer Garden
Girl Scout Troop 437. Mackenzie built a prayer garden at Vista Ridge United Methodist Church. The
area provides a quiet place to sit, think or pray for
church members as well as community members,
like runners who jog near the church. She and her
volunteers prepared the plot, laid paver stones, planted native
Texas plants, and installed a bird feeder and benches to make
the garden welcoming. The church will maintain and update the
area. The children’s ministry has also designed new curriculum
to use throughout the year to increase usage of the garden.
Mackenzie graduated from Lewisville High School in 2015.
Alexis Padden
Operation Goody Bags
Girl Scout Troop 1505. Alexis worked with
Operation Kindness, a no kill animal shelter. She
and her volunteers produced Goody Bags for
300 families to make the transition for their
newly adopted pets more comfortable and less
stressful. Each bag had a stainless steel bowl, a toy, food or
treats for a cat or dog. She also constructed a video with basic
information about the current shelter animals looking for homes
that will play in their lobby. Detailed instructions on recreating
the Goody Bags and how to update the video every Sunday
will be used by Operation Kindness going forward. Alexis will
graduate from Greenhill School in 2016.
Riana Pellicane-Hart
Agape Meditation Garden
Girl Scout Troop 3164. Riana collaborated with
the AGAPE Resource and Assistance Center, an
organization that works with women recovering
from domestic abuse. She and her volunteers
designed and built a meditation garden to give
the residents of the shelter a safe haven to relax and de-stress.
Drought resistant plants and perennial flowers were selected,
along with herbs to make the garden Texas friendly. The garden
will be maintained by the organization, with the residents
using the garden as a calming and therapeutic activity. Riana
will graduate from Booker T Washington High School for the
Performing and Visual Arts in 2017.
Haley Plenger
nUtrition (with a capital YOU!)
Girl Scout Troop 1956. Haley educated and
promoted awareness to Plano High School and
Haggard Middle School student athletes about
properly fueling their bodies before and during
athletic competitions. She and her volunteers
taught them to read food labels, make a healthy energy snack
and understand how much exercise is needed to burn off
calories from different foods. She also encouraged athletes to
consider different options for fitness by taking a Zumba class.
Her recipe cards and presentation will be used by the running
club at Haggard and the Student Congress at Plano Senior HS in
the future. Haley will graduate from Plano Senior High School in
2016.
Kaylie Pool
Growing to Make a Difference
Girl Scout Troop 2533. Kaylie created a
community garden at The Good Samaritan
Society in Lake Forest Village. She and her team of
volunteers built a garden to address the isolation,
lack of meaningful activities, and loneliness that
residents often experience in a nursing home. Kaylie held
workshops with the residents to determine the types of plants
they wanted and then educated them on how to care for the
plants. The garden gave residents a way to socialize and be
more active. The Activities Director will oversee the garden
using the tools and resources that Kaylie provided. Kaylie will
graduate from Krum High School in 2016.
Sophia Popowski
Softball Stars
Girl Scout Troop 317. Sophia used her love of
softball to train younger girls on the right way to
play the game. She and her volunteers focused
on specific skills and safety techniques to instill
correct habits early. Her softball clinic taught
catching, batting, and fielding skills, how to run safely, proper
hydration, safe base stealing and accurate rotation of their
hands and hips. She created a video on Your Tube with this
information and also left a binder with Lake Cities Softball
League to instruct new players each season. Sophia will
graduate from Guyer High School in 2016.
Jennifer Powell
Guide Dog Puppy Raising
Girl Scout Troop 37. Jennie partnered with Guide
Dogs for the Blind to start a guide dog raising
chapter in Ft. Worth and at her high school. Jennie’s goal was to educate the community about
visually impaired people and how a guide dog can
change their lives. To accomplish this goal, she and her guide
dog made numerous public appearances. In addition to raising
her own guide dog puppy, Jennie recruited, trained and mentored new “puppy raisers” in Ft. Worth and at her school. The
new club at her school will be sustained by current members
with faculty support. Jennie will graduate from Byron Nelson
High School in 2017.
Katie Presz
“Happy Trails” for Murphy
Girl Scout Troop 1424. Katie’s project enhanced
the use of an Outdoor Classroom that was
created by the City of Murphy for Murphy Middle
School and members of the community to
use. She and her volunteers built a trail to the
Outdoor Classroom, to connect the two areas, including adding
a bridge. This improved access to the Classroom and allowed
the students to collect data for their labs in class. The trail is on
protected land ensuring that it will be monitored frequently. The
Environmental Club of the middle school will maintain the area
on a monthly basis. Katie will graduate from Plano East Senior
High School in 2016. Mounika Puligurthi
Ready, Set, Growth!
Girl Scout Troop 1596. Mounika’s project provided
arts and crafts kits for the children brought to the
Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County for
therapy and investigation. The activity kits will
enrich their time at the Center. Mounika designed
10 different craft activities and with the help of her volunteers,
donated over 180 kits to the Center. She also wrote a blog to
educate and raise awareness of child abuse. Mounika provided
the Center with a “how to” binder so that other volunteers may
continue to make kits for the children. Mounika graduated from
Plano East Senior High School in 2015.
Serena Ranmal
Lessons and Activities in a Box
Girl Scout Troop 2143. Serena’s project focused
on children between the ages of three to five from
at-risk local communities. Working with Educational First Steps, an organization that helps transform day care centers into nationally accredited
preschools, she and her volunteers made reusable lesson plans
and activities covering the alphabet, colors and shapes to provide age appropriate curriculum. These lessons will help place
the children on an equal footing with others when they enter
kindergarten or first grade. The organization will continue using
these materials for the existing day care centers and as they expand into new areas. Serena will graduate from Parish Episcopal
School in 2016.
Taylor Rapp
Lending a Hand to Van
Girl Scout Troop 201. Taylor’s project focused on
aiding the victims of the May 2015 EF-3 tornado
in Van, Texas and educating the community
about emergency preparedness. She and her
volunteers collected over 1800 books and created
two lending libraries. This supplemented the Van Library, which
is only open 3 days a week due to funding issues. She gathered
115 backpacks full of school supplies for those impacted by
the tornado. Her educational program demonstrated how to
be aware, prepare, respond and recover from future disasters.
The libraries will be restocked and maintained by Girl Scout
members of the community. Taylor will graduate from Robert E
Lee High School in 2018.
Lindsay Rather
Lending a Hand to Brother Bill’s
Helping Hand
Girl Scout Troop 330. Lindsay’s project focused
on literacy as she worked with Brother Bill’s
Helping Hands, an organization that serves the
at-risk community in West Dallas. The children
are from first generation English speaking families with limited
access to books. She and her volunteers educated people
about the need for reading materials and collected and sorted
over 2000 books to donate to the organization. She also
created a literacy event to teach the children simple tools to
enhance their reading skills, using a chapter book they each
received. Lindsay will graduate from Highland Park High School
in 2016.
Auj Rehman
Healthy Habits
Girl Scout Troop 2143. Auj worked with Metrocrest
Services, an organization that provides services
for at-risk individuals, to assist in leading them
to self-sufficiency and independence. Auj
and her volunteers focused on creating a
cookbook of healthy recipes using food that is readily available
at Metrocrest’s food bank. She also held several sessions
to encourage physical activity. Her goal was to encourage a
healthier and balanced lifestyle to avoid diseases like diabetes
and obesity. Her cookbook and posters around the food bank
use a QR code that links to a permanent website with her
information. Auj will graduate from Coppell High School in 2016.
Kaitlin Reynders
Children Create the World
Girl Scout Troop 586. Kaitlin’s project focused
on the importance of art education and the role
it can play in helping children learn concepts in
math and literature at a faster rate. Working with
the Schreiber Methodist Preschool, Kaitlin and
her volunteers painted a mural with bright colors that depicted
children at their eye level to reinforce this idea. Teachers are
now including more art based learning due to increased student
interest. The wall was painted with permanent acrylic paint and
will remain as a reminder of the importance of art education.
Kaitlin will graduate from Booker T Washington High School for
the Performing and Visual Arts in 2016.
Rachel Roberts
Epiphany Richardson Community
Garden Labyrinth
Girl Scout Troop 1745. Rachel built a labyrinth at
the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Richardson, Texas. The labyrinth was placed in the community garden of the church. It has become the
focal point of the community garden and provides an outdoor
space for people to pray, relax, and meditate. She and her volunteers researched and designed the 36 square foot space using dirt, granite, stone and a bench to create the labyrinth. The
church will maintain the space and the labyrinth may be found
by anyone using an online labyrinth locator. Rachel will graduate
from L.V. Berkner High School in 2016.
Claressa Robertson
Making Diabetes History
Girl Scout Troop 187. Claressa’s project focused
on creating awareness about diabetes, its causes
and measures that can be taken to lower the risk
of becoming diabetic. She and her volunteers
ran a workshop to educate people about how
their lifestyle of eating poorly and not exercising might lead to
developing the disease. The workshop provided tips on learning
to eat right, taking medication and proper exercise. She also
created a Facebook page with general information about the
disease and helpful tips with recipes and how to test blood sugar
levels. Claressa graduated from De Soto High School in 2015.
Brooklyn Rodgers
Educational Resources on Animal
Welfare and Care for the
Dallas/Ft. Worth Area
Girl Scout Troop 973. Brooklyn partnered with
Education and Animal Rescue Society (EARS) for
her project. Brooklyn’s goal was to help educate
the public and raise awareness of animal wellness. She developed brochures and educational posters for children and adults
on topics such as spay/neuter and veterinary and nutritional
needs for animals. She and her volunteers distributed this information and spoke to people at EARS’ community events. She
trained volunteers with the organization who will continue to use
the materials going forward. Brooklyn also produced a YouTube
video about her project to further educate people. Brooklyn will
graduate from Marcus High School in 2018.
Jazmin Rose
Sadness 2 Happiness: Awareness is the
Key
Girl Scout Troop 651. Jazmin’s project centered
on depression. She educated people on ways to
cope with depression organically, how to explain
depression and how gender and age define
the symptoms differently. She created different methods to
teach about the disease and included information about many
different professional organizations dedicated to working with
people with these issues. She has posted her information
on Facebook and is continuing a blog on topics related to
depression. Jazmin graduated from the Trinidad Early College
High School at Mountain View College in 2015.
Jenna Rover
Packs 4 Snacks
Girl Scout Troop 317. Jenna created Snacks 4
Packs at Hawk Elementary school for students
who participate in the reduced lunch program.
Working with the school counselor, students
were identified who might not have access to
meals over the weekends, when school was closed. She and her
volunteers ran 3 food drives and collected over 1000 healthy
food options and then filled backpacks for the students to bring
home. By ensuring the students had enough food, they were
able to focus more in class. She trained the school counselor
and Student Council on how to continue the program going
forward. Jenna will graduate from Guyer High School in 2019.
Hannah Salinas
Redesigned and Furnished Visitation
Room
Girl Scout Troop 1897. Hannah, working with the
Texas Department of Family Protective Services,
redesigned one of the meeting spaces used
by parents and children who are experiencing
family issues. She and her volunteers took a bedroom and
turned it into a cozy and welcoming space. The room has all
new furniture, including a place to sleep, a TV for watching
movies and seating for visitation. The walls were painted with
inspirational words and bright floor to ceiling posters. The
agency will maintain the room going forward. Hannah will
graduate from the Ursuline Academy of Dallas in 2016.
Isabella Sanchez
Project Haven
Girl Scout Troop 1687. Isabella’s project
addressed the issue of mental health problems in
youth and young adults. She and her volunteers
wrote and produced a video and website to
bring attention to this issue. Her website defined
some of the most common disorders such anxiety disorder,
obsessive compulsive disorder, personality disorders and eating
disorders. The stigma surrounding mental health problems
often hinders young adults from reaching out to receive help.
Isabella’s website was designed to provide resources for those
struggling with these issues and will remain online indefinitely
along with her YouTube information. Isabella will graduate from
the Hockaday School in 2016.
Celina Schuetz
The Young Ladies Fly-in Event
Girl Scout Troop 2319. Celina planned and implemented an event to educate middle school girls
about the aviation industry. The event introduced
the girls to the history of female pilots, taught
about aerodynamics, historical planes, and the
construction of airports. She and her volunteers wanted to illustrate the many job opportunities open in this STEM field, currently dominated primarily by men. Her event will be continued
annually by her advisor, the director of the McKinney Aviation
program. Celina graduated from McKinney North High School in
2015.
Gabi Siewczynski
Sensory Boxes and Voice Recordings
Girl Scout Troop 2772. Gabi developed new resources for the Special Needs Department at
Coppell High School. Filling a need in curriculum
that the teachers had requested, she and her volunteers built Sensory Boxes and created voice recordings. The voice recordings correlated with the boxes to be
used by the students giving them another type of learning style.
The resources will help further the development of vocabulary
and increase the students’ senses. Her “how-to” manual will be
kept by the Active Learning teachers to maintain and add to the
resources she completed. Gabi graduated from Coppell High
School in 2015.
Julia Sircar
Grin and Wear It: Promoting Safe Play
on the Softball Field
Girl Scout Troop 2533. Julia created an awareness
campaign to educate softball players about the
importance of wearing fielder’s safety masks. This
issue matters to Julia because her sister suffered
a severe injury while playing softball and not wearing a mask. She
organized an exhibit at a large softball tournament and spoke to
hundreds of families about this issue. Each girl received a bow
she and her volunteers made to remind them to wear the masks.
She designed a permanent website and teamed up with STOP
Sports Injuries to promote her cause, receiving over 1200 hits on
her website. Julia will graduate from Coppell High School in 2016.
Nina Sisemore
Helping out those who Serve
Girl Scout Troop 1739. Nina’s project was designed
to provide aid to military families and educate the
public on their sacrifices. Nina partnered with the
Veteran’s Administration to provide much needed
articles of clothing and school supplies. Nina and
her volunteers collected over 250 coats, jackets, and sweaters
from the community, then washed and mended the items. Additionally, they collected school supplies for over 100 children.
Nina also produced a video that documents the emotional and
financial sacrifices that military families make for our country
while their loved ones are serving overseas. Nina will graduate
from L.V. Berkner High School in 2016.
Courtney Smith
Puppet Program
Girl Scout Troop 575. Courtney worked with the
Allen Public Library to reinstate their puppet
program. She and her volunteers updated
old materials and created videos, scripts,
and instructions on how to work the puppets,
perform the scripts and encourage audience interaction.
These materials will allow more children to have fun activities
during the summer months when school is closed. She also
held a performance at the library to demonstrate how to use
the materials, which was recorded and uploaded to YouTube
to inspire people to continue the art of puppetry worldwide.
Courtney will graduate from Allen High School in 2016.
Claire Sowards
Our Friends Place New Home
Furnishing
Girl Scout Troop 8719. Claire collaborated with
Our Friends Place, an organization that offers
transitional living and educational life skills for
young women between the ages of 18-24 who
have slipped through the cracks of the social services systems.
Claire and her volunteers created awareness of this program
to aid in the furnishing of a new living space called Pauline’s
Place. She built a registry of needed items, (bedding, kitchen
and bathroom supplies, lamps and decorations) the majority
of which were delivered to the new home. The organization
will maintain this facility and continue to use the registry going
forward. Claire will graduate from Lake Highlands High School in
2017.
Gabrielle Spurlin
Camp Tonkawa Outdoor Kitchen
Girl Scout Troop 2613. Gabrielle worked with
Camp Tonkawa to rebuild an outdoor kitchen. The
camp nurtures the connection to nature, offering
many outdoor activities. The original outdoor
kitchen was deteriorating, so Gabrielle and
her volunteers designed a new structure with water resistant
materials, better ventilation and a shelter from sun and rain. The
space is also more flexible now, allowing more uses, such as a
food prep area and a dining area. Camp Tonkawa will maintain
the structure with usage increasing as programs expand.
Gabrielle graduated from Plano Senior High School in 2015.
Alison Stonecipher
Producing Cleaning Aid
Girl Scout Troop 2772. Alison designed and
implemented cleaning stations and a screening
wall for the Coppell Community Garden. The
portable cleaning stations allow the garden
participants a better alternative for washing
their produce, by returning more of the nutritious soil to the
gardening plots instead of being washed away. By conserving
more of the soil the produce is able to grow better and faster,
leading to more food being produced. The screening wall made
the garden more attractive by hiding the composting bins on the
property. The garden will be using these tools for years to come.
Alison graduated from Coppell High School in 2015.
Sarah Hope Swaim
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Rosary
Garden
Girl Scout Troop 8539. Sarah Hope created a
Rosary prayer garden at the Our Lady of Perpetual
Help. She and her volunteers set individual stones
to make the shape of a rosary with one stone
for each bead of the rosary. She also researched and planted
flowers and shrubs around a bench to create a silent place
to pray. The garden can now be used to pray the rosary while
following the path, one step for every bead. The garden will be
maintained by the nuns who live in the convent next door. Sarah
Hope will graduate from Ursuline Academy of Dallas in 2018.
Jessica Thompson
Aim Your Bow High – Shoot for the
Stars
Girl Scout Troop 153. Jessica restored the archery
range at Camp Tyler Outdoor School (CTOS).
The camp offers hands-on discovery learning for
children who have limited opportunities to experience the outdoors. The range had become non-functional with
broken targets, warped wood, and too few bows and arrows.
She and her volunteers removed weeds, rebuilt the range and
acquired the proper equipment to make the archery range fully
operational. She held workshops to create awareness about this
new outdoor option, with many kids trying archery for the first
time. The range will be maintained by the Foundation and staff
going forward. Jessica will graduate from Robert E. Lee High
School in 2016.
Madeline Toole
Fun with Puppets
Girl Scout Troop 295. Madeline collaborated
with Bryan’s Place to provide a fun, educational
way to enhance communication skills with
special needs children in their programs. She
and her volunteers researched and designed
a handicapped accessible puppet theater to promote social
interaction and creativity. A workshop was held for each child to
make a puppet using popsicle sticks, socks and their hands. The
children were then encouraged to use their puppets to practice
their communication skills at the new puppet theater. Bryan’s
House can move the puppet theater from room to room and has
already incorporated it into their everyday curriculum. Madeline
will graduate from Phillips Exeter Academy in 2016.
Madeline Tovar
Beautifying the Keenan Cemetery
Girl Scout Troop 1897. Madeline collaborated with
the city of Farmers Branch to create awareness
about the Keenan Cemetery and Rose Gardens.
Many people do not realize that these areas exist
right in their own neighborhood. She and her
volunteers landscaped the area, after she instructed them in
person and by video on the tasks that needed to be completed.
The roses planted were low-maintenance and should last
indefinitely even in the Texas heat. She also created a digital
rose map and brochure for the City to upload to their website to
promote this newly renovated area. Madeline will graduate from
the Ursuline Academy in 2016.
Carena Toy
Enhancing Math Fundamentals
Girl Scout Juliette. Carena’s project focused on
improving the mathematical skills of the children
at Bea’s Kids, an organization that works with
lower socioeconomic families. She created a
curriculum stressing the importance of the basic
concepts of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
in a fun learning environment. She and her volunteers then
practiced with the children, helping to build a strong foundation
for future and more complex mathematical concepts. She also
built a website with all of the teaching and testing materials for
Bea’s Kids or other organizations to use going forward. Carena
will graduate from Coppell High School in 2016.
Sarah Troy
Schreiber Playground Enrichment
Girl Scout Troop 586. Sarah worked with the
Schreiber Methodist Preschool to create a learning
environment outside the classroom. She and
her volunteers built three walls that allowed the
75 children who attend this school to experience
hands on activities on their playground. The three walls included
a music wall that used household items to produce sounds and
rhythms, a manipulative wall that examined different items that
dealt with touch, and a water wall that demonstrated the science
of water and gravity. The school will maintain the walls and make
adjustments using additional materials she provided. Sarah a will
graduate from Parish Episcopal School in 2016.
Andre Ujcich
The Garden of Memories
Girl Scout Troop 1687. Andre’s project will benefit the residents of the Arden Courts Memory
Care Community in Richardson. Andre created a
sensory design for a memory garden to provide
visual stimulation for the residents when they’re
inside and sensory stimulation when they’re outside. Andre and
her volunteers prepared and planted a large garden with a wide
variety of non-toxic plants and added a birdbath and two bird
houses. The garden will be maintained by the facility’s gardener.
Andre will graduate from JJ Pearce High School in 2017.
Jessica Volkert
Philadelphia Blessings Cook-Off
Girl Scout Troop 153. Jessica addressed the issue
of hunger in her community. Working with the local
food pantry, Philadelphia Blessings, she held a chili
cook-off to raise awareness about this problem.
As admission to the event, people brought food
items to donate to the pantry. Nine teams participated in the
cook-off and over 60 people attended the event. Jessica
and her volunteers also placed informational flyers and did
presentations to educate others about the resources available
in the community to help the hungry. This will become an annual
event run by the Whitehouse United Methodist Church and the
food pantry. Jessica will graduate from Whitehouse High School
in 2016.
Eliza Vu
Shared Closets
Girl Scout Troop 2166. Eliza’s project at Milam
Elementary addressed the need the students
have for school uniforms. Many students don’t
have the necessary funds to purchase the
required school attire. Eliza and her volunteers
coordinated a school uniform drive and then created a closet
for the uniforms to be stored and disbursed. The Shared Closet
allows the whole community to recycle gently worn uniforms, as
they help to make a difference at their local school. The PTA and
school administration will be continuing the Shared Closet using
Eliza’s instructions. Eliza graduated from South Grand Prairie
High School in 2015.
Anisha Wadawadigi
Healthy Body Healthy Mind
Girl Scout Troop 2046. Anisha worked with
over 100 children at an orphanage in India. She
wanted to address the issues of healthy living
and sanitation to combat a sedentary lifestyle.
By educating them in their language of Telegu,
she taught them games to increase their physical activity and
stressed the importance of following established sanitation
rules. She donated sports equipment to the orphanage to
encourage the children to exercise. She created a video to share
her experience and has started a community club to continue
advocating on this issue. Anisha will graduate from Flower
Mound High School in 2018.
Katie Wall
McShan Elementary Book Club
Girl Scout Troop 8776. Katie created a Book Club
program with McShan Elementary. Her program,
focusing on at-risk youth from the Vickery Meadow area, was intended to help these primarily nonEnglish speaking children maintain their reading
skills over the summer. She and her volunteers met with over
20 kids a day, reading with them individually and assigning them
“homework” each night. As the summer progressed, their reading levels and comprehension improved and their vocabulary
expanded. The program was so successful that the school will
be continuing it next summer using the instructions she provided. Katie will graduate from Parish Episcopal School in 2018.
Faith Waller
Spring Creek Clean Up
GS Troop 1956. Faith’s project addressed the
issue of littering and its detrimental effect on the
environment. Faith organized a one day trash
clean up at the Spring Creek Park in Plano, using
volunteers from the Plano Rugby Club. They
gathered over 50 large bags of trash. Faith posted a YouTube
video of the clean up to educate the public. The Plano Rugby
Club will make the park clean up an annual event. Faith also
designed a Power Point presentation about littering and gave
the presentation to five groups, which included elementary and
high school students. Faith will graduate from Plano Senior High
School in 2016. Meredith Whalen
Highland Park Follow the Leader to
Fitness
Girl Scout Troop 330. Meredith educated over
50 second through fourth grade students at
Armstrong Elementary about the importance of
physical activity. She and her volunteers created
a semester long running program in which they encouraged
the students to eat well and manage their time so they could fit
physical activity into their busy schedules. The students learned
how to set personal goals, like how far they would run in a week,
and work as a team. The teachers at the school and the Highland Park cross country team will continue to promote this program each year. Meredith will graduate from Highland Park High
School in 2016.
Lauren Whisler
Saint Bernard’s Book Club and
Library Enhancements
Girl Scout Troop 586. Lauren improved Saint Bernard’s school resources and reading proficiency
among third and fourth grade students by renovating the school’s library and starting a book club.
She and her volunteers gave the library a makeover, sanding and
repainting the tables and chairs, organizing the books, and painting fun, colorful murals on the library’s walls. She worked for
several months with the students, planning and running a book
club to encourage more use of the library and honing their literacy skills. The book club and maintenance of the library will be
continued by the school’s librarian. Lauren will graduate from
Ursuline Academy in 2016.
Madeline Whisler
Saint Mary of Carmel Community
Garden
Girl Scout Troop 586. Madeline built a garden for
the students at Saint Mary of Carmel. Gardening offers kids the perfect opportunity to see life
at every stage. The students in the after school
program now have the opportunity to grow vegetables, fruits,
herbs and flowers. She also started a gardening club to teach the
students how to care for the garden, while teaching cooking skills
and how to identify and use different types of herbs. Her manual
documenting how to build a garden and run the garden club will
be used by the staff to continue these activities. Madeline will
graduate from Ursuline Academy in 2016.
Madalyn White
Restoration of the Children’s Sunday
School/ Multi-purpose Room
Girl Scout Troop 8776. Madalyn renovated the
Sunday School/Multi-Purpose room at the Central
Dallas Church. She researched the needs for the
room and used this information to redesign it. She
and her volunteers sanded the walls, then repainted the room
in a soothing blue color. She purchased new furniture, cabinets,
tables, chairs, window coverings, and black rubber edging for
the bottom of the walls. With her direction, all of the new items
were installed, creating a fresh and more productive meeting
space. This space is now used more frequently for youth and
adult classes and will be maintained by the church. Madalyn will
graduate from Parish Episcopal School in 2018.
Sarah White
Room To Grow
Girl Scout Troop 2051. Sarah remodeled a classroom at King of Glory Lutheran Church to make
it more open and inviting for youth church members. Sarah and her volunteers installed PVC pipe
and then sewed and hung curtain panels to partition the room and give it more color. They painted the fronts
and backs of all the folding chairs with pictures and inspirational
messages. They also designed and installed colorful foam decorations on the walls and sewed large pillows for a floor seating
area. An organized craft table completed the room. The room
will be maintained by the church staff. Sarah graduated from JJ
Pearce High School in 2015.
Brittany Wierman
A Heavenly Haven
Girl Scout Troop 586. Brittany transformed the
playroom at the Missionaries of Charity. She and
her volunteers painted all of the walls, doors, and
created a large wall mural. A bookshelf, table and
chairs were added to make the room more kid
friendly. She generated awareness in the community about
the organization and its mission to solicit donations of toys and
books for the room. The room now provides a safe and beautiful
space for the children as an escape from stressful situations. It
will be maintained by the organization and updated as needed
using Brittany’s how-to video. Brittany will graduate from
Ursuline Academy of Dallas in 2016.
Sophia Wilson
#X and Don’t Text
Girl Scout Troop 8539. Sophia emphasized the
importance of not texting while driving as she
used social media and personal appearances to
create awareness about this issue. She and her
volunteers reached over 400 people, who took
her pledge to not text while driving. Using links to her website,
QR codes, Snapchat and email, she advocated on the issue,
encouraging people to take her pledge in several areas of the
city. Her website will remain in place to continue educating
about this subject. Sophia will graduate from Ursuline Academy
of Dallas in 2018.
McKennan Wright
Crafty Creatures
Girl Scout Troop 1810. McKennan’s project revived
the skill of crocheting to create small stuffed
animals to donate to the Irving police department.
She and her volunteers taught people how to
make various small crocheted animals, reinforcing
hand-eye coordination skills. The police department received
over 400 stuffed animals through her crocheting program and
an additional toy drive. The police will use the animals while
on duty to help children calm down in stressful situations.
Her “how-to” manual will be used by local groups to replace
the animals as needed. McKennan graduated from Faustina
Academy in 2015.
Cheyenne Young
Allen Community Outreach Food Drive,
Fill the Bus
Girl Scout Troop 1202. Cheyenne identified a large
deficit in her community’s food bank supply. To
help fill the shelves she created an awareness
campaign at all five Lovejoy schools. She and her
volunteers produced a video that educated the students about
the food pantry and the types of items that could be donated.
She also promoted a food drive in her neighborhood. Almost
1500 items were collected and donated to the food pantry.
The National Junior Honor Society at Willow Springs Middle
School will continue the partnership with the food pantry using
Cheyenne’s outline. Cheyenne will graduate from Lovejoy High
School in 2016. Casey Zamecnik
All-Clear Teen Dating Violence
Girl Scout Troop 804. Casey focused on the issue
of teen dating violence and abusive relationships.
Her workshop educated people about the signs
and ways to avoid or help someone in an abusive
relationship. Partnering with Genesis Women’s
Shelter, she highlighted examples of relationships from movies,
TV shows and the news to help define correct information about
abuse as explained by an expert from the Genesis Shelter. The
participants also learned about resources available if they
are faced with this situation. The Meds Club at her school will
continue the education process by supporting the Genesis
Shelter with requested donations. Casey will graduate from
Marcus High School in 2016.
Jenna Zapata
Progress Art Gallery
Girl Scout Troop 194. Jenna and her volunteers
planned and implemented a district- wide art
gallery for students in the Frisco Independent
School District. The gallery gave students
the opportunity to display their artwork in an
expression based format, rather than in a curriculum based
manner. Students were encouraged to select two pieces of
artwork that showed their artistic progress over time. The
gallery event gave participants a way to realize their potential as
they gained confidence seeing their work displayed. Frisco ISD
will use Jenna’s documentation on how to recreate this event to
continue the program. Jenna will graduate from Wakeland High
School in 2016.
Many thanks to the
Gold Award Committe
Wanda Amyx
Kathy Beardsley
Janice Boomstein
Martha Coleman
Jeanette Colliton
Fern Crowley
Jenny Hoch
Allison Hogan
Donna Hoye
Lynn Johnson
LuAnne Jones Beckley
Ari Kessler
Reva Knight
Susan Krnic
Sherrie Kubiak
Theresa Lawson
Carrie Martinez
Penny Milburn
Carolyn Parr
Karen Proctor
Madonna Russell
Laura Shorlo
Kirsten Ward
Wendy Weber
The Betty Richardson
Girl Scout Gold Award Scholarship
Established in honor of former Tejas Council President Betty Richardson,
the Girl Scout Gold Award Scholarship was created to encourage girls to
remain in Girl Scouting as well as to help girls reach their full potential as
women through higher education.
To be eligible for the scholarship, the recipient must:
• Be registered with Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas and be an active member
of the organization.
• Be a resident of Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas’ 32-county jurisdiction at
the time of the award.
• Be a Girl Scout Gold Award recipient.
• Be a high school graduating senior.
• Be accepted into an accredited institution of higher learning.
The Betty Richardson Girl Scout Gold Award Scholarship selection
committee takes into consideration the applicant’s academic and
GPA record in high school; participation in Girl Scouting; leadership
experience; extracurricular/community involvement/work experience;
essay; and letters of recommendation.
The Betty Richardson Girl Scout Gold Award Scholarship is funded through
a grant from Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas Board designated funds and
contributions made by individuals. Contributions to the Girl Scouts of
Northeast Texas Gold Award Scholarship Fund are accepted year round.
These contributions are tax deductible to the extent that the law allows.
Donations may be mailed to:
Girl Scout Gold Award Scholarship Fund
Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas
P.O. Box 797447
Dallas, TX 75379-7447
The Grainger Foundation’s gift will be used toward scholarships
for girls who have completed their
Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouting.
THANK
YOU!
for being a part of the
Girl Scouts of
Northeast Texas
community!
There are many ways to stay involved with
Girl Scouting as you continue your leadership journey.
Here are a few:
11.
You can sign up for the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas Alumnae Association
online at gsnetx.org/alumnae. Membership is free, and Alumnae receive
information on programs, invitations to special events, and the opportunity to
network with fellow Girl Scout Alumnae in the community.
up for a one-time offer of a Girl Scout Lifetime Membership at a reduced
22. Sign
rate upon graduation from high school. You will be a member of Girl Scouts
of the USA for the rest of your life, no matter where in the United States your
leadership journey takes you. An invitation to join for graduating seniors, at the
discounted rate, will be mailed to each girl at the beginning of June.
a volunteer! As a Girl Scout volunteer, you’ll add meaningful days to
33. Become
girls’ lives and to your own as well. Share your personal passions and create
experiences together that you’ll never forget. Visit gsnetx.org/volunteer and
look at the current volunteer openings today.