April 26, 2007

The heart of Girl Scouting

Girl Scouts Service Unit 42 honors 50 young
women for community service projects

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

“You must do the thing you think you cannot do”—Eleanor Roosevelt

Everyone knows that Girl Scouts have a heart and recently Service Unit 42 honored over 50 young women with bronze, silver, gold awards as well as the prestigious 10-year pin for their unselfish assistance to others.

GS Gold Award winners receive kudos for a job well done by Service Unit 42 Older Girl Program Manager Jennifer Moyen-Logan [far left] and County Superintendent of Schools for Santa Clara County Dr. Colleen Wilcox [far right]. Photos by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

“I think you’re going to be inspired as we celebrate the girls’ achievements,” said Girl Scouts Service Unit 42 older girl program manager Jennifer Moyen-Logan at St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church where the ceremony was held. “It’s just unbelievable when I think of all the things these girls have accomplished.”

History
Girl Scouts of the United States of America [USA] is dedicated solely to girls where in an accepting and nurturing environment, they build character and skills for success in the real world. In partnership with committed adult volunteers, they develop qualities that will serve them all their lives—leadership, strong values, social conscience and conviction of their own potential and self-worth.

The Girl Scouts of the USA started in 1912 and is the world’s largest organization with more than 3.6 million girls aged 5 through 17. More than 40 million American women have been members of the Girl Scouts since its founding.

Girl Scouting started in Santa Clara County in Palo Alto in 1922. By April 13, 1962, the Girl Scouts of Santa Clara County was formally established with 11,521 registered members. Today, over 16,000 girls and 8,000 adults are registered. Girl Scouts Service Unit 42 with the merging of troops in Almaden, Willow Glen and Blossom Valley now has over 1,100 members.

And with pomp and circumstance at the “Heart of Girl Scouting” event, the candle lighting ceremony was presented by Daisy Girl Scout [GS] Hallie Dugar, Brownie GS Natalie Johnson, Junior GS Anjali Ashtaputre, Cadette GS Caroline Ledna and Senior GS Kelsey Motekaitis to honor over 50 girls as well as 10 young women receiving their Gold Award, the highest award a Senior GS can earn.

Bronze Awards
Bronze awards were presented to GS Troop 364 under leaders Tyna Whipple and Susan Tobias. Members include Jenine Abdo, Katelin Foley, Rebecca Levee, Taylor Levee, Melissa McVicker, Calyse Risse Tobias and Nicole Whipple. Their service was “It’s Raining Cats” provided bedding and necessities for felines at the Humane Society. The girls learned that most of the cats are strays and about the necessity of spaying and neutering for the homeless animals that costs the San Jose five million dollars a year.

“I’m a Celebrity” was Troop 474’s service where Kimberly Murrietta, Lena Robledo, Alexandria Lopez, Marissa Henry, Julia Johnson, Gabriella Omelas, Rachel Saulpaugh, Nicollette Eilia, Kaylee Pang, Justine Conry and Hannah Moore planned all aspects and presented a play about a girl who was teased. Their troop leaders are Anne Johnson and Maureen Saulpaugh.

Troop 526 constructed Humane Society pet beds. Anjali Ashtaputre, Mina Blume, Michelle Crocker, Vruti Desai, Katie Gerdt, Lindsey Oberhelman, Esha Patel, Jheel Patel, Chloe Pombo also collected donations. Their troop leaders were Valerie Ashtaputre and Pushpa Patel.

Quilts and scarves for the Binky Control Organization was the project for Girl Scouts Troop 1396 Taylor Lipps, Samantha Blum, Ishani Dugar, Jessica Fahlen, Ashley Hinojos, Julie Holloway, Sarah Johnson, Emily Lovelace, Alyssa Mazzucco and Terra MacEwen. Their troop leaders are Leslie Mazzucco and Denise Johnson.

“What a wonderful afternoon,” said District 10 Councilmember Nancy Pyle, a former Girl Scout. “It is always such a pleasure to be here to see so many fine young women, to look at the various projects you get involved with, to think of all the humanistic and the global spirit you bring to whatever you do and the incredible accomplishments that all of you have completed…The skills you have developed and the passion with which you have accomplished the projects that we celebrate today will serve you in every aspect of your lives, now and in all future endeavors.”

Silver Awards
Silver Awards were presented to Jaya Kasiraj, Youngeun Na for Humane humans and Sarah McLinden for blankets for Project Linus.

10 Year Pins
Ten-year pins were presented to Andrea Tobias with Troop 59, Megan Haley with Troop 313, and Racheal Hartman with Troop 1393.

The Gold
“When we think of gold we think of permanence, we think of brilliance, we think of character and that solid quality that will be valuable for years, decades, lifetimes, generations to come,” said County Superintendent of Schools for Santa Clara County Dr. Colleen Wilcox who presented the gold awards. “That seems an appropriate symbol of what you have accomplished today.”

Troop 277’s Melissa Erickson received the gold award for her memory treasure boxes for Alzheimer’s patients.

Troop 701 Gold
The GS highest award honors were presented to Lauren Anderson for her welcome gifts for shelter children and teens at a battered women’s’ shelter.

“I knew I wanted to do my project with kids,” said Anderson. “My troop helped me a lot. It was a lot of work but it was really fun. You should definitely do something that you’re really passionate about as it takes a lot of time.”

Francesca Figlia received the gold award for blankets of love. She credits all the help she received for her ability to create 120 covers and 80 hats and thanked GS leader Moyen-Logan.

“The Heart of Girl Scouting” award presentation started with the traditional candle lighting ceremony. Left: Senior GS Kelsey Motekaitis, Daisy GS Hallie Dugar, Brownie GS Natalie Johnson [lighting candle], Junior GS Anjali Ashtaputre and Cadette GS Caroline Ledna.

Erin Lane took a long time to decide on her project. She chose the San Jose Conservation Corps because she saw the need for quality interview clothing and hygiene products because “first impressions matter.”

Katherine Lucitt’s project was therapeutic planter gardens installed at Valley Medical Center.

Kelsey Motekaitis’ project was the gold star girls’ basketball camp working with underprivileged youth at the Boys and Girls Club.

Vanessa Moyen completed a mural project at the Boys and Girls Club.

The beauty of a child’s smile was Jordan O’Halloran’s project that organized and delivered 100 dolls to Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital. She thanked leader Jennifer Moyen-Logan and her parents.

Lisa Trimberger’s project was ABC angels, blankets and children, which delivered 60 covers and 30 gowns to Valley Medical Center and credits over 30 volunteers who helped her achieve her goal.

Theresa Lynn Wilson’s project was “don’t stress it” where she presented workshops at senior and community centers and the girl scouts teaching ways to relieve pressures of everyday life.

“I really encourage all of you to go for your gold award because it really is a life changing experience,” said Wilson. “It builds up your confidence and it really will help you later in life.”