Congratulations Gold Award Recipients!

Congratulations to all of our 2010 Gold Award Recipients!

Amber Carrington
Title: CarePages
Troop 10747 Leader: Anita Carrington

Andrea Underwood
Title: Gaming and Outdoor Center
Troop 20186 Leader: Jan Smith

Angela Autry
Title: CarePages
Troop 10747 Leader: Anita Carrington

Ariel Johnson
Title: Tobacco Awarenss Outreach
Troop: 20140 Leader: Mary Hogan

Ashli Scott
Title: Girl Scouts Go Green
Troop 40206 Leader: Lorraine Sirabella

Beth James
Title: Shelby Farms Park Conservancy Patch
Troop 10108 Leaders: Diane James & Jimmy James

Bethany Grant
Title: Colorgaurd 101
Troop 20307 Leaders: Kim Grant & Connie Talley

Christie Lentz
Title: Girl Scout Badge Camp
Troop 20171 Leader:

Diamond Smith
Title: Libros for Little Ones
Troop 10489 Leader: Carmen Hall

Elizabeth Parker
Title: CarePages
Troop 10747 Leader: Anita Carrington

Emily Lutken
Title: Field Guide to North Mississippi
Troop 30202 Leader: Carol Lutken

Emily Ward
Title: Can You Hear Me?
Troop 10108 Leaders: Diane James & Jimmy James

Geordi Talley
Title: Tour de Tippah
Troop 20307 Leaders: Kim Grant & Connie Talley

Jacqueline Boyce
Title: Self-Esteem Workshop
Troop 30202 Leader: Carol Lutken

Jessica Cayson
Title: Music with Movement for Children
Troop 20332 Leaders: Mary Pruitt & Ada Cayson

Jessica Sirabella
Title: Girl Scouts Go Green
Troop 40206 Leader: Lorraine Sirabella

Jordan Spegele
Title: What Should I Eat?
Troop 10108 Leaders: Diane James & Jimmy James

Katelin Wallace
Title: Volunteer with a Vision
Troop 40084 Leaders: Kathy Wallace & Debbie Trussell

Katherine Klein
Title: Beyond the Books: Activities & Clubs Starkville High
Troop 20320 Leaders: Erin Bassford

Kathyrn Booth
Title: Books for Youth
Troop 10190 Leader: Linda Booth

Kimberly Cayson
Title: Health Cookbook for Children
Troop 20332 Leaders: Mary Pruitt & Ada Cayson

Lindsay Murphy
Title: Book Collection for the Teachers of the Memphis Jubilee
Troop 10231 Leader: Saundra Hannah

Nikki Bamhill
Title: Drive Smart and Sober
Troop 40270 Leader: Anita Rogers

Priyanka Moolchandani
Title: Students Health Club
Troop 10050 Leader: Tia Byrd

Rebecca Nanney
Title: Shoe Drop
Troop 40320 Leader: Betty Nanney

Sara Ward
Title: Just the Facts
Troop 10108 Leaders: Diane James & Jimmy James

Sarah Morse
Title: R.O.O.T.S.
Troop 30320 Leader: Erin Taylor

Stephanie Klink
Title: Tell Me S’more
Troop 10108 Leaders: Diane James & Jimmy James

Suzanne Chapman
Title: Fulfilling the Needs of Foster Children
Troop 10117 Leader: Adrianne Richardson

Congratulations Gold Award Recipients!

Congratulations to all of our 2010 Gold Award Recipients!

Amber Carrington
Title: CarePages
Troop 10747 Leader: Anita Carrington

Andrea Underwood
Title: Gaming and Outdoor Center
Troop 20186 Leader: Jan Smith

Angela Autry
Title: CarePages
Troop 10747 Leader: Anita Carrington

Ariel Johnson
Title: Tobacco Awarenss Outreach
Troop: 20140 Leader: Mary Hogan

Ashli Scott
Title: Girl Scouts Go Green
Troop 40206 Leader: Lorraine Sirabella

Beth James
Title: Shelby Farms Park Conservancy Patch
Troop 10108 Leaders: Diane James & Jimmy James

Bethany Grant
Title: Colorgaurd 101
Troop 20307 Leaders: Kim Grant & Connie Talley

Christie Lentz
Title: Girl Scout Badge Camp
Troop 20171 Leader:

Diamond Smith
Title: Libros for Little Ones
Troop 10489 Leader: Carmen Hall

Elizabeth Parker
Title: CarePages
Troop 10747 Leader: Anita Carrington

Emily Lutken
Title: Field Guide to North Mississippi
Troop 30202 Leader: Carol Lutken

Emily Ward
Title: Can You Hear Me?
Troop 10108 Leaders: Diane James & Jimmy James

Geordi Talley
Title: Tour de Tippah
Troop 20307 Leaders: Kim Grant & Connie Talley

Jacqueline Boyce
Title: Self-Esteem Workshop
Troop 30202 Leader: Carol Lutken

Jessica Cayson
Title: Music with Movement for Children
Troop 20332 Leaders: Mary Pruitt & Ada Cayson

Jessica Sirabella
Title: Girl Scouts Go Green
Troop 40206 Leader: Lorraine Sirabella

Jordan Spegele
Title: What Should I Eat?
Troop 10108 Leaders: Diane James & Jimmy James

Katelin Wallace
Title: Volunteer with a Vision
Troop 40084 Leaders: Kathy Wallace & Debbie Trussell

Katherine Klein
Title: Beyond the Books: Activities & Clubs Starkville High
Troop 20320 Leaders: Erin Bassford

Kathyrn Booth
Title: Books for Youth
Troop 10190 Leader: Linda Booth

Kimberly Cayson
Title: Health Cookbook for Children
Troop 20332 Leaders: Mary Pruitt & Ada Cayson

Lindsay Murphy
Title: Book Collection for the Teachers of the Memphis Jubilee
Troop 10231 Leader: Saundra Hannah

Nikki Bamhill
Title: Drive Smart and Sober
Troop 40270 Leader: Anita Rogers

Priyanka Moolchandani
Title: Students Health Club
Troop 10050 Leader: Tia Byrd

Rebecca Nanney
Title: Shoe Drop
Troop 40320 Leader: Betty Nanney

Sara Ward
Title: Just the Facts
Troop 10108 Leaders: Diane James & Jimmy James

Sarah Morse
Title: R.O.O.T.S.
Troop 30320 Leader: Erin Taylor

Stephanie Klink
Title: Tell Me S’more
Troop 10108 Leaders: Diane James & Jimmy James

Suzanne Chapman
Title: Fulfilling the Needs of Foster Children
Troop 10117 Leader: Adrianne Richardson

Memorial Weekend National Cemetery Event

An estimated 2,500 Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Sea Scouts, Venturers and Girl Scouts will gather Saturday morning, May 29, 2010 at the National cemetery to honor those who served their country. The Scouts will place American Flags on 46,890 graves.

The event which has reached it 26th year originated in Memphis and has now become a nation-wide tradition for the Boy Scouts. More than 75 cemeteries across the country will hold events modeled after the one here.

Registration will begin at 7:00 am with the assembly of Scouts taking place at 8:40 am. The overall program begins at 9:00 am. At this time the Scouts will place small American flags on each of the cemetery's 46,890 graves. Scouts will be assigned specific areas of the cemetery and the entire process should take only about 30 minutes.

The National Cemetery is located at 3568 Townes, off Jackson Avenue in North Memphis. Patches will be available on a first come, first served basis, and are $1.00 each. Get there early to show your support and appreciation for those men and women who have served our nation.

This is a great opportunity for your troop to come out and show your support of our armed forces during the Memorial Day weekend.

If you have any questions, please contact Buddy Crenshaw, Director of Scout Affairs at 901-767-2113 or buddycrenshaw@bellsouth.net or Stewart Williams at 901-327-4193 or stewwill@bsamail.org.

Defending Dignity, Fighting Poverty

Courtesy of GSUSA Blog
May 25, 2010

Today, I'm going to try something new and share a letter with everyone from Hosanna Kabakoro - a 2009 National Young Women of Distinction. Hosanna recently attended the CARE Conference on Global Poverty and Women's Issues in Washington D.C. and below is her letter - enjoy:

By Hosanna Kabakoro

2009 National Young Women of Distinction

Defending Dignity, Fighting Poverty

This week, thanks to Girl Scouts of the USA, my fellow Young Woman of Distinction Vivian and I were privileged to attend the international CARE Conference on Global Poverty and Women's Issues in Washington D.C.

CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. It places special focus on working alongside poor women because, equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help whole families and entire communities escape poverty. Women are at the heart of CARE's community-based efforts to improve basic education, prevent the spread of HIV, increase access to clean water and sanitation, expand economic opportunity and protect natural resources. CARE also delivers emergency aid to survivors of war and natural disasters, and helps people rebuild their lives.

The Keynote speaker at the conference was Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who encouraged conference participants to lobby Congress to authorize funding to campaign against child marriage, maternal death and hunger in developing nations. Mrs. Clinton took time to promote the administration's goals for eliminating poverty and disease through nutrition.

Other speakers and guests included the First Ladies of Sierra Leone, Kenya and Mozambique, who shared how they and their husbands are starting schools for girls, initiating village-level micro-financing projects and working to provide more effective pre and post natal care to rural and impoverished women. Christie Turlington and Maria Bello were also present, and awarded special recognition awards to women who are playing fundamental roles in reaching other women with solutions.

We learned that more than a billion people live in poverty. One in three children in the world live in an undernourished state. We also learned that there is hope. As we focus on women, and encourage them to join in initiatives directed at them, we will continue to see progress.
Girl Scouts was invited to share how youth are contributing and Vivian and I led a roundtable group where we were able to discuss how our Gold Award projects were birthed and what the results of our projects have been.

It was a wonderful time of sharing and getting to meet other female activists. I left feeling educated, informed and empowered to continue making a difference.

Celebrity Scouts Abound!

Courtesy of GSUSA Blog
May 14, 2010

For a good dose of celebrity Girl Scouts, head over to momlogic for a pretty fantastic slide show!

They may be known for their delicious cookies, but the mission of the Girl Scouts goes way beyond that.

Almost 100 years ago, Girl Scouts' founder Juliette Gordon Low believed that girls needed a place where they could build their courage and confidence. Who knew that some of the most powerful women in the world were once part of a troop?

Who is your favorite celeb Girl Scout?

COMMUNITY EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES

MAY 14, 2010

MAY 15-16: WINGS OVER COLUMBUS 2010 AIR SHOW
Columbus Air Force Base will be holding an Air Show and Open House on Saturday and Sunday, May 15-16, 2010. Gates will open to the general public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Activities will begin at 10 a.m. and the opening ceremonies will begin at noon. All aviation acts will perform both days. Plus see Army and Air Force Recruiting displays, The
National Weather Service, US Army Corp of Engineers Park Ranger Boating Safety and enjoy the Kids Zone!

SCHEDULED TO PERFORM:
USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds
US Army Parachute Team, the Golden Knights
Tora! Tora! Tora! WWII Pearl Harbor re-enactment w/ ground based pyrotechnics
Jacquie B. Warda - Pitts Aerobatic show
MiG-21 flying demonstration
T-33 Vintage Fighter – jet flying demonstration
C-17 Globemaster III Airlift demonstration
14th FTW Composite Fly By – T-1, T-6, T-38 in formation

CLICK HERE for more information.


JUNE 1: SUPER SITTERS CLASS
Be the best babysitter you can be. Sign up for the Super Sitters Class and learn the responsibilities and accountabilities of babysitting, such as basic first aid and home safety. June 1 at Baptist Memorial Hospital - DeSoto

CLICK HERE for more information.

MAY 21: MEMPHIS IN MAY TRIATHLON - Money raising opportunity!
Volunteer are needed to help host over 2000 athletes for The Memphis in May Triathlon Weekend on Friday, May 21st, Saturday May 22nd, and Sunday May 23rd. All volunteers will receive a t-shirt, BBQ, and drinks while enjoying live music and a great festival atmosphere.

We need help in the following areas:

• Friday 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Registration/ Packet pick-up
• Saturday 5:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Registration/ Packet pick-up
• Saturday 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Sprint Triathlon (8am start)
• Sunday 5:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m Memphis in May Triathlon (7am start)
  

Groups who would like to volunteer will have donated to them $150.00 for each 10 people that they can bring to the race i.e. youth groups, ball teams, etc. Community volunteer hours are also encouraged for youth and adult groups to consider.

Everything happens at the race site located at Edmund Orgill Park, 6750 Kerville Rosemark Rd. Millington, TN, 38053. Please go to www.s2fevents.com and click on the travel page for driving directions and an overview of the course map. When arriving at the park, please check in at the volunteer tent for coffee, food and assignments. Please arrive on Sunday by 6:30am as roads close at 6:45am unless you are w/ a special group.

Questions? Pam Routh, Volunteer Coordinator
C (901) 550-2114 / pamcts@bellsouth.net


JUNE 12: SHINE THE LINE: SHELBY FARMS GREENLINE VOLUNTEER CLEAN-UP
The Shelby Farms Greenline opens in a few short months and this your chance to get involved in this historic project. Join hundreds of friends, fans and neighbors of the Shelby Farms Greenline in a massive one-day clean-up effort. We will be meeting at various staging areas along the trail. Be sure to RSVP to get your assignment!

Wear long pants and sturdy shoes. Bring water and gloves and any tools that you may have. A picnic will follow at Shelby Farms Park.

RSVP & more information: Sandee Daniels / 901.767.PARK ext. 309


JUNE 19: GIRLS' GOLF DAY
Come join the Mid-South Junior Golf Association/The First Tee of Memphis for Girls' Golf Day! Just for girls, food, fun, games and a introduction to the wonderful world of golf.

When: Saturday, June 19, 2010 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Firestone Park, 900 Firestone Ave. Memphis, TN 38107
Cost: FREE!

CLICK HERE for event flyer and registration information.


JULY 2010: THE ALLIANCE FOR A HEALTHIER GENERATION
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a partnership between the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation, is searching for a select group of young people to serve on our Youth Advisory Board (for 2010-2011) and roll up their sleeves for a few hours a month of critical thinking, engaging conversations, good fun, new friendships, and high-profile leadership.

Applicants must be between the ages of 8 and 17 years old when membership begins July 2010 and live in the United States. Interested youth can visit empowerme2b.org for more information.

Congratulations!

Girl Scouts Heart of the South is proud to announce the following recipients of GSHS Scholarships! These girls truly make the world a better place and we cannot wait to see what the future holds for them!

Girl Scouts Heart of the South Gold Award Scholarship recipients:

• Ashli Scott – Troop 40206
• Bethany Grant – Troop 20307
• Geordi Talley – Troop 20307
• Lindsay Murphy - 10231
• Suzanne Chapman - 10117
  

Girl Scouts Heart of the South West Tennessee Scholarship recipients:

• JoAnna Wilson – E. Jane Hazlewood Leadership Scholarship - Troop 40460
• Rebecca Nanney – Donna M. McHaffey Leadership Scholarship - Troop 40320
• Lauren Reed – William R. Taylor Leadership Scholarship – Troop 40515
• Chelsea Dougherty – Susan C. Anderson Leadership Scholarship – Juliette Girl Scout
• Allison Locher – Sharon Younger Leadership Scholarship – Troop 40006

Oldest Living Girl Scout Turning 110

Courtesy of GSUSA Blog - May 10, 2010

Boston's Fox 25 reports that this week, Milly England - The oldest living Girl Scout - is turning 110 years old. On Saturday friends, family and fellow Girl Scouts threw a big bash where she was honored as the oldest living Girl Scout. She recalled some of her Scouting memories from as far back as 1914 - almost as old as the organization itself!

Brownies Bake For Haiti's Sake

Courtesy of GSUSA Blog - May 7, 2010

Let's turn our attention to a group of Brownies in Omaha, NE, who prove that Creighton University donors come in all ages - They were even personally thanked by University President Rev. John P. Schlegel after donating to the University’s Haiti Relief Effort. The Brownies of Troop 3495, Omaha, raised $645 through a bake sale and made a donation following the January 12 earthquake that devastated the county of Haiti. Brownie leader Lisa Schartz Keane, a 1991 graduate of Creighton’s School of Law, sums everything up nicely:

“The fact that 8-year-olds helped someone in need is such a powerful lesson for all of us. That they took this project and ran with it demonstrates that there is good in the world and it is reflected in these young hearts”

So far, five Creighton-led health care teams have traveled to the Institute for Latin American Concern (ILAC) in the Dominican Republic and were able to provide care for earthquake victims in Jimani just 30 minutes from Haiti’s capital. The quickness of the University’s response stems in part from its long-term relationship with ILAC. The University has supported health sciences students and faculty to provide health care at ILAC for more than 20 years.

Girl Scouts of the USA Dedicates Elliott Native Plant Garden at Edith Macy

Courtesy of GSUSA Blog - May 6, 2010

Girl Scouts of the USA dedicated the Elliott Native Plant Garden at the Edith Macy Conference Center today in honor of Herford N. and Priscilla Elliott and their family’s longtime efforts to help develop girl leaders who value and protect wildlife and the environment.

The Elliott family, through the Herford N. Elliott Trust Fund, has supported GSUSA’s Elliott Wildlife Values Project since 1977. The dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by GSUSA and Girl Scout council staff members, as well as former Elliott Wildlife Values Project managers.


“We are so grateful to the Elliott family for their support of Girl Scouts,”said Florence Corsello, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration at GSUSA.


“The outdoors and respecting and appreciating nature are an essential part of the Girl Scout experience, and it’s more than fitting that we would honor the Elliotts and their longtime commitment to Girl Scouting with a beautiful garden and a beautiful setting like the Edith Macy Conference Center.”

The mission of the Elliott Wildlife Values Project is to develop girls as leaders of both wildlife conservation and environmental stewardship efforts, who positively impact their communities and the world. The project fosters the Girl Scout mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Girls develop science, outdoor, and leadership skills through girl-led, cooperative activities, in which they learn by doing. In the process, they
discover a strong sense of self, develop positive values, and gain an understanding of their important role in caring for wildlife and for our earth’s natural resources; connect with nature, the outdoors, and their local and global communities; liaise with environmental experts; and investigate career opportunities; and Take action to identify community and environmental needs, positively impact the environment, and educate and inspire others to act as stewards of the earth and its wildlife.

The project supports local Girl Scout councils, committees, and volunteers globally through program development, membership and volunteer development, learning opportunities and consultative services, grants to councils, and collaboration with organizations and agencies.

“Millions of girls have benefited from the work of the Elliott Wildlife Values Project,” said Jodi Schwarzer, Project Manager, Elliott Wildlife Values Project at GSUSA.
“The Elliott family’s support has been instrumental in building our national environmental and outdoor programming.”


The garden, which is located near the Great Hall in an area of the conference center known as Sleepy Hollow, features a variety of native plants and places where visitors can view local wildlife and engage in quiet reflection. The garden was funded by a grant from Bank of New York Mellon.

All Abord for College Tours!

Attention, Seniors and Ambassadors! The Mississippi College Tour and the Tennessee College Tour registration deadline of May 21 is quickly approaching!

Space is limited, so don’t miss your chance to register for this fun and informative trip! Both college tours will take place Sunday, June 6 – Friday, June 11.

Girls will gain first hand knowledge abotu all facets of the collegiate experience from college faculty and students! The cost is $250 per Girl Scout, which includes meals, transportation, accommodations, fun extras, and of course – tours and information sessions with some of the best colleges and universities in the Heart of the South!

Mississippi Colleges currently scheduled:

• Alcorn State University
  
• Belhaven College
  
• Delta State University
• Jackson State University
• Millsaps College
  
• Mississippi Delta Community College
• Mississippi State University
• Mississippi University for Women
• University of Mississippi
  
• Southern Mississippi University

Tennessee Colleges currently scheduled:

• University of Tennessee - Knoxville
• University of Tennessee - Chattanoga
• The University of the South (Sewanee)
• Middle Tennessee State University
• Vanderbilt University
• Fisk University
• Lambuth University
• Lane College
• Christina Brothers University
• University of Memphis

For more information about the Mississippi College Tour, email marlowe.brownlow@girlscoutshs.org.

For more information about the Tennessee College Tour, email erin.smith@girlscoutshs.org

Operation Thin Mint Takes Flight From San Diego

Courtesy of GSUSA Blog - May 3, 2010

Head over to NBC San Diego and check out some awesome photos of Girl Scout Cookies being lifted into the sky via helicopter - to be delivered around the world to American Troops serving abroad! Approximately 147,000 boxes of cookies are on their way to service men and women stationed in Africa, Iraq, Afghanistan, Japan, and Korea and on board Navy ships in the Persian Gulf, Western Pacific and Indian Ocean. It is a project called Operation Thin Mint, which was started by the Girl Scouts, San Diego-Imperial Council nine years ago.