Alexandra Waugh from Nashville Has Earned the Girl Scout Gold Award

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) is pleased to announce that Alexandra Waugh from Nashville has earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can receive. 

For her Girl Scout Gold Award project, called Move for Missions, Alexandra combined her love for her grandparents with her passion for missionary support. During one part of her project, she developed and held a functional fitness class for senior citizens at three different locations in two different communities. In addition, during the functional fitness classes, she had donation collection boxes where people could donate items that were then sent overseas to missionaries in India.

“I have learned that above all that dreams can come true and that nothing is impossible with God and a lot of hard work,” Alexandra said of her Girl Scout Gold Award project.

Alexandra is the daughter of Tanya and Lee Stewart. She is a graduate of Centralia High School has been a Girl Scout for 13 years.

The Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can earn, recognizes a Girl Scout's commitment to excellence as she develops skills and values to meet present and future challenges in her life. To earn the Girl Scout Gold Award, a Girl Scout Senior or Girl Scout Ambassador must design and carry out a project that fulfills a need within a girl’s community, creates change, and is sustainable. The project must be completed with a suggested minimum of 80 hours of work. Only about 5 percent of eligible girls earn the prestigious Gold Award.

Kayli Worthey from Neoga Has Earned the Girl Scout Gold Award

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) is pleased to announce that Kayli Worthey from Neoga has earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can receive. 

For her Girl Scout Gold Award project, called The 3 Dangerous D’s of Driving, Kayli wanted to increase awareness of the dangers of drunk, drowsy or distracted driving to save lives and make the roadways safer for everyone. She decided on this subject for her Girl Scout Gold Award after a good friend of hers was killed in a car accident due to drowsy driving. Her project included three venues: a high school presentation for students, a community meal and Truck Stop events. She presented powerpoint presentations about The 3 Dangerous D’s of Driving at her local high school and through a community meal event. Her favorite part of her Girl Scout Gold Award project was the events she hosted at local truck stops where she passed out free fruit juice and coffee to travelers during holiday weekends. “At all of these events, I had people pledge to not drink, sleep, or text and drive while operating a vehicle,” Kayli added.

“Completing my Girl Scout Gold Award taught me to be persistent and that will lead to your success. I also learned that to be a leader, knowing how to delegate is a key part of the process. As much as you would like to be independent and handle everything yourself; it’s not always possible,” Kayli added.

Kayli is the daughter of Kyle and Angie Worthey. She will graduate from Neoga High School in 2017 and has been a Girl Scout for 13 years.

The Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can earn, recognizes a Girl Scout's commitment to excellence as she develops skills and values to meet present and future challenges in her life. To earn the Girl Scout Gold Award, a Girl Scout Senior or Girl Scout Ambassador must design and carry out a project that fulfills a need within a girl’s community, creates change, and is sustainable. The project must be completed with a suggested minimum of 80 hours of work. Only about 5 percent of eligible girls earn the prestigious Gold Award.

GSSI Alumna Nicolle Patton: How Girl Scouts Has Shaped Me

I have been shaped by many factors that have surrounded my life and Girl Scouts has been one of those. For 18 long years I was part of a sisterhood that has taught me skills to succeed in this world, has helped me discover some phenomenal things about myself, and best of all, let me share the amazing power of “Courage, Confidence and Character” and continue to spread the word of the Girl Scout Law, The Girl Scout Promise and everything in between. 

Growing up, I was always a very shy, introverted child, always wanting to be by myself and being the quiet one of the bunch, opting out of large group activities and just being the lone girl that I was. I was fine with that. It was something I was used to until I got convinced to join Girl Scouts.

There I was. Little five year old Nicolle. Clad in her bright blue Daisy vest with a few colorful petals, still considered the shy one of the bunch, but the difference was her Girl Scout sisters didn’t forget her. They pulled her along during troop games and always remembered to include her no matter what. That was a turning point for me.

Through their simple act of kindness, I started to shape myself more through the years. Even as more of my friends dropped Girl Scouts, I stuck to it. I felt like I needed to continue with it, not because of the awards I was receiving, but because of the knowledge and self-growth I was getting from it.

I felt myself growing to be a better person, a better-rounded person. Not to mention a more outspoken person. Those who knew me when I was younger were surprised to see “the new and improved me” you could say. I wasn’t afraid to say what was on my mind.

If I had an opinion, I was going to say it loud and proud. I enjoyed doing things I liked even though others might’ve thought it was ‘weird’ or ‘childish’ and I always stood up for what I thought was right, even if others thought it was wrong. I was my own person - Girl Scouts taught me it was okay to be and I will always express that wholeheartedly.

As I continued to grow up with Girl Scouts basically by my side, I learned so many things, starting with the many skills I learned from earning Brownie Try-Its. Putting activities I’d never done before into action and actually learning something and getting firsthand experience was amazing for me. It made me want to do more.

So I did. I went on and put all of these wonderful skills I learned to the test and started earning my Girl Scout Awards. Girl Scouts have three high awards: Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each one has its obstacles and personal rewards whenthe project is done. For me, each of my projects have been near and dear to me and I’ve put in countless hours of community service, time and money to make my projects come to life. It’s paid off and when I look back at my scrapbooks, I can’t help but to smile at all the fond memories I have for each one.

I know a lot of people look up to me including my sister, Danielle, who’s also a fellow Girl Scout. I’m not going to lie, it’s rough, but even if the worst seems near, don’t fear. Keep going, keep persevering and keep going. You’re a Girl Scout. You’re supposed to be prepared for anything, right? Just take it in stride and keep moving forward because the best days are just straight ahead.

So, from one Girl Scout to another, the lessons you learn in this wonderful organization will continue to stay with you for the rest of your life and you’ll learn new things each and every day, no matter what age you are. So, don’t be afraid to try new things, say what’s on your mind, do what you want to do, because it’s your life and you’re in charge. It’s taken me awhile to figure that notion out, but I’m glad I did.

My name is Nicolle and what I’ve learned in my years in Girl Scouts is no matter what, the eternal sisterhood of Girl Scouts will be instilled in each and every girl and what they get out of it is entirely up to them, but what I got out of it was a whole new development. I became stronger, more vocal, more independent and most of all, more me. 

Cecelia Cowell from Red Bud Has Earned the Girl Scout Gold Award

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) is pleased to announce that Cecelia Cowell from Red Bud has earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can receive. 

For her Girl Scout Gold Award project, called Got Safety?, Cecelia addressed the issue of safety in her community, but more importantly increased community members’ knowledge of what to do in emergency situations. As part of her project, she helped implement information on the Yellow Dot Program for Red Bud. Cecelia helped to educate citizens and make them more aware of safety responses by speaking to various groups and distributing safety information at various community events. “Even if one person is saved by my Girl Scout Gold Award project, then I know I have made a major difference,” Cecelia said.

Cecelia is the daughter of Sandra Cowell and the late Harold Cowell. She is a 2016 graduate of Red Bud High School and has been a Girl Scout for 13 years.

The Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can earn, recognizes a Girl Scout's commitment to excellence as she develops skills and values to meet present and future challenges in her life. To earn the Girl Scout Gold Award, a Girl Scout Senior or Girl Scout Ambassador must design and carry out a project that fulfills a need within a girl’s community, creates change, and is sustainable. The project must be completed with a suggested minimum of 80 hours of work. Only about 5 percent of eligible girls earn the prestigious Gold Award.

GSSI 2017 National Convention Delegates

2017 Convention & 54th National Council Session

Every three years, Girl Scouts from all over the country gather at the Girl Scout Convention & National Council Session to reinvigorate our Movement, celebrate our accomplishments, and chart our future. The 54th Convention will take place Wednesday, October 4 – Sunday October 8, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. In addition to conducting the business of the Movement, we will engage in important strategic conversations about the future and provide exciting educational opportunities for girls and adults. Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois is pleased to announce the following girls and adults will represent GSSI as National Convention Delegates and National Convention Alternate Delegates. 

GSSI’s National Convention Delegates

Amber Grace Carroll - Fairview Heights, IL (girl member)
Girl Scout member for 8 years
Council Delegate
Participated in beta testing for Virtual Girl Scouts

Rowan Dothager - Staunton, IL (girl member) Girl Scout member for 10 years
GSSI Board of Directors Ex-Officio Girl Member
Earned Girl Scout Silver and Bronze Awards and Program Aid
 
Sarah Drury-Dothager - Staunton, IL
Girl Scout Lifetime Member; member for 10 years
Troop leader, FLL Coach and Mentor, Service Unit Manager, Council Delegate and Day Camp Director

Karlene Hoefener - O’Fallon, IL
Girl Scout member for 23 years
Troop leader, Council Delegate, Gold Award Advisor, Camp Friends Committee, Day Camp PAT Trainer, Property Planning Assessment Committee and Troop Product Sales & Treasurer, and Day Camp volunteer

Sheila Jolly-Scrivner - Bluford, IL
Girl Scout member for 11 years
Troop leader, Council Delegate, Service Unit Manager, Registrar and Day Camp volunteer

Susanna Mills - McLeansboro, IL
Girl Scout Lifetime Member, member for 29 years
Troop leader, Council Delegate, Service Unit Manager, Facilitator, Juliette Gordon Low Society member

Cheralee Vohlken - Greenville, IL
Girl Scout member for 9 years
Troop leader and Council Delegate

Jennifer Whitehead - Carbondale, IL
Girl Scout member for 8 years
Troop leader and Council Delegate

GSSI’s National Convention Alternate Delegates

Penny Pejka - O'Fallon, IL

Girl Scout member for 29 years and Juliette Gordon Low Society Member

Service Unit Treasurer and Registrar, Council Delegate, Assistant Troop Leader, Camp Friends Committee and Day Camp volunteer

Connie Schott - Godfrey, IL

Girl Scout member for 16 years

Troop Leader, Council Delegate and Day Camp volunteer

2017 Girl Scout Golf Classic Players and Sponsors Needed

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) will hold its 28th Annual Girl Scout Golf Classic at Sunset Hills Country Club on May 15. This year’s Girl Scout golf classic features for the first time the Million Dollar Shoot-Out where four lucky golfers will have the chance to make a golf shot for $1,000,000.  

“We are excited to be hosting our golf classic at Sunset Hills Country Club and very excited about the Million Dollar Shoot-Out,” said Tricia Higgins, GSSI Communications and Development Manager. “We encourage you to come out and support our Girl Scout Golf Classic,” Higgins said, adding, “We are still looking for more golf players and teams and have many wonderful corporate sponsorships still available.”

During the past 27 years, the Girl Scout golf classic has raised more than $825,000 to support girl program development, girl financial assistance and to maintain and improve Girl Scout camps. GSSI provides a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience for over 12,400 girls and nearly 5,000 adult volunteers in southern Illinois. 

GSSI's Girl Scout golf classic has played an important role in funding girl programs and providing opportunities and financial assistance so all girls can participate in Girl Scouting. We hope you will help Girl Scouts build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place by becoming a Girl Scout player or sponsor!

2017 Girl Scout Golf Classic presenting sponsors include (it’s not too late be a presenting, contact us if you would like to be a sponsor too):

o    The Korte Company

o    Siemer Milling Company

o    Strano & Associates Real Estate, Angie Zahn Managing Broker

   Additional golf classic sponsorships include:

o    Gold Sponsor ($5,000)

o    Silver Sponsor ($2,500)

o    Bronze Sponsor ($1,500)

o    Daisy Sponsor ($1,000)

o    Dinner Sponsor ($1,000)

o    Million Dollar Shoot-Out Sponsor ($1,000)

o    Tee Sponsor with team ($850)

o    Lunch Sponsor ($750)

o    Team (Foursome) $700

o    Beverage Cart Sponsor ($500)

o    Bucket Raffle Sponsor ($500)

o    Cart Sponsor ($500)

o    Longest Drive Sponsor ($500)

o    Tee Sponsor ($200)

Note:  All sponsorships include opportunity to provide a goody bag item.

Flyer:

Send a Box of Girl Scout Cookies to an American Military Member

Last year, GSSI was able to donate 18,869 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies to current military members and veterans.  We are so grateful to be able to share our appreciation for these American heroes through the generosity of our customers.

Show your appreciation for the U.S. Military by sending service members Girl Scout Cookies! 

You can make your gift by donating through Digital Cookie (find a participating Girl Scout) through March 19 or at an area Schnucks through April 2. 

GSSI will then send all of the donated cookies to military organizations to distribute, including to military members serving overseas. 

Just a few of the very special "thank yous" that we received:

  

Johannah Comish has earned the Girl Scout Gold Award

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) is pleased to announce that Johannah Comish from Highland has earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can receive. 

For her Girl Scout Gold Award project, called Bridges to a Better Tomorrow, Johannah updated and repaired the waterfall area of Silver Lake. During her project, she stabilized a small footbridge, added a safety railing to a larger bridge, sanded and stained a picnic table and fixed the hand rail for the rock stair case. In addition, she added a trash can for the clearing.

Through her Girl Scout Gold Award project, Johannah hoped to positively impact the community and younger Girl Scouts and promote spending more time outdoors. Johannah included a clean-up day as part of her project as well. Thanks to her Girl Scout Gold Award project, she helped to keep the park well-maintained and improved park guests’ safety and comfort. “I care deeply about the conservation of our national parks, and although Silver Lake is no Yellowstone, I believe change starts at home and I am proud to have completed this project to help my city,” Johanna said.

Johanna is the daughter of Brian and Kathryn Comish. She is a senior Highland High School and has been a Girl Scout for 13 years.

The Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can earn, recognizes a Girl Scout's commitment to excellence as she develops skills and values to meet present and future challenges in her life. To earn the Girl Scout Gold Award, a Girl Scout Senior or Girl Scout Ambassador must design and carry out a project that fulfills a need within a girl’s community, creates change, and is sustainable. The project must be completed with a suggested minimum of 80 hours of work. Only about 5 percent of eligible girls earn the prestigious Gold Award.

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois and Schnucks Markets Announce Community Service Partnership Benefiting Military Personnel

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) and Schnucks are teaming up to bring a sweet treat to military service members. Beginning on March 8, for every $4 donation a Schnucks customer makes to Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois through a Scan & Give campaign at checkout, a box of Girl Scout Cookies will be gifted to the USO of Missouri. The promotion is running in all 100 Schnucks locations and seven additional Girl Scout councils are participating. The three-week promotion ends on April 2, 2017.

“Schnucks continues to be very supportive of Girl Scouting and our mission of building future leaders,” said Kelly Jansen, Director of Product Program. “This promotion allows the community to support Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois and potentially offers more members of our community the opportunity to provide a favorite national treat to our brave military service personnel.”

“We are proud of our longstanding partnership with the Girls Scouts throughout our trade areas,” said Joanie Taylor, Schnucks director of community relations. “As a company, we are dedicated to exploring new and different ways to partner with community groups, and this Scan & Give with the Girls Scouts and the USO is an excellent example of this commitment.”

To make a donation at the checkout, customers select a slip from the register tear pad and give it to the cashier to scan. The donation amount will be added to the customer’s bill. Store patrons have the option to donate in three different amounts up to $20.

In additional GSSI is holding a council-wide Cookie Booth Weekend on March 10-12 at local venues like shopping centers, gas stations and places of worship, etc. Area troops may continue to hold cookie booths through the end of spring. Find a local Girl scout cookie booth by visiting www.girlscoutcookies.org or using the official Girl Scout Cookie Finder app, free for iOS or Android phones or mobile devices. 

Customers can order Girl Scout Cookies online through March 19 using Girl Scouts’ safe, interactive Digital Cookie platform. Digital Cookie combines traditional sales activities with today’s technology to help girls learn more about online marketing and ecommerce. Girls are able customize their personal sales website and then use e-mail to invite friends and family to order cookies from the comfort of their home. Customers can choose to have cookies delivered to them or to purchase cookies to send to American military members. 

When a girl participates in the Girl Scout Cookie Program, she learns essential life skills, her confidence soars and her leadership skills develop in powerful everyday ways. Every sale is one more opportunity for her to lead, speak up and discover her true potential. Funds raised by the Girl Scout Cookie Program power new adventures and enriching activities such as troop travel, summer camp and community service projects. In addition, proceeds from the program help GSSI recruit and train adult volunteers, deliver quality programs, maintain camp properties and provide financial assistance so Girl Scouting is available to all girls.

Girl Scout Week 2017

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois will join nearly 3 million Girl Scouts throughout the United States in celebrating the 105th Anniversary of Girl Scouting March 12-18. 

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois will celebrate the 105th anniversary by participating in a variety of local activities and events. Girl Scouts often celebrate the occasion in their communities by participating in such events as flag ceremonies at their schools, birthday party celebrations and community service projects with their troops while others will create displays highlighting Girl Scout history. 

“The Girl Scout law and mission statement both focus on making the world a better place and during our 105 year history, our girls and volunteers have continued to live by this standard,” said Sarah Durbin, CEO of Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois. “Girl Scouts are passionate about making their communities and the world a better place, and the Girl Scout Leadership Experience gives them the courage, confidence and character to follow their dreams,” Durbin added.

Girl Scout Sunday (March 12) is when many Girl Scouts receive special religious recognition awards for researching and exploring their religious culture and practices. Many girls will proudly wear their Girl Scout uniforms to their religious services to kick-off the week’s events. 

“Girl Scouting is committed to being a vital part of our communities. During Girl Scout Week, we salute and thank all those who continue to offer their support to Girl Scouting. The positive influence Girl Scouting has on young people is dependent on our dedicated volunteers and supportive community members,” said Durbin. “During Girl Scout Week, we renew our commitment to ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to grow strong and realize her full potential. But we need your help! We invite everyone – men and women – over 18 to volunteer with Girl Scouts. You don’t have to be a troop leader; even if you can only donate one hour of your time once a year, you’ll be making a great difference in the lives of girls.” 

It’s been 105 years since the first Girl Scout troop meeting, and Girl Scouting has evolved from 18 members to nearly 3 million nationwide. Today, Girl Scouts of the USA is the largest voluntary organization for girls in the world. Its sole focus is to meet the needs of all girls (ages 5-17) from diverse racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. 

After returning to the United States from England, Juliette Gordon Low made a historic phone call to her cousin in March 1912, “Come right over! I’ve got something for the girls of Savannah, all America, and all the world, and we’re going to start it tonight.” The “something” was Girl Scouts, and the first group of girls embarked on Low’s vision. Low was determined to help expand opportunities and learning for the average American girl. At a time when many girls’ paths in life were limited to their social standing, Low’s vision was to establish an organization where any American girl could expand her personal horizon by having fun, while exploring new interests and contributing to society. 

The mission of Girl Scouting states: Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. Girl Scouts is the world's pre-eminent organization dedicated solely to girls - all girls - where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world. In partnership with committed adults, girls develop qualities that will serve them all their lives - like strong values, social conscience, and conviction about their own potential and self-worth.

Today’s Girl Scouts not only enjoy camping and crafts, but they also explore math and science and learn about diversity, good citizenship, leadership and teamwork. Girl Scouting is the place where girls experience the fun, friendship and power of girls together. 

Girl Scouting has inspired more than 50 million girls and women since its founding in 1912.

Shelby Tingley from Granite City Has Earned the Girl Scout Gold Award

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) is pleased to announce that Shelby Tingley from Granite City has earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can receive. 

For her Girl Scout Gold Award project, called "Homing the Homeless Birds," Shelby wanted to help birds that had their nests destroyed. She noticed that nests being built on or around people’s homes were often knocked down by the residents, so she decided to build houses in trees to provide a safe place for the birds. Shelby researched and built five bird houses and also taught other Girl Scouts how to make bird houses. She then enlisted the help of other Girl Scouts to monitor the bird houses and keep seeds nearby. Her hope is that the birds will find the safe haven she built next spring.

Shelby credits Girl Scouts and her Gold Award experience with providing her great leadership skills. “The most important thing I have learned through Girl Scouts is to not be afraid to try new ideas to achieve my goals,” said Shelby. “It has taught me how to be a great leader and an empowering woman,” she added.

Shelby is the daughter of Penny Tingley. She was a Girl Scout for 10 years and completed her Girl Scout Gold Award project her Senior Year.  She was a 2016 graduate of Granite City High School and currently attends Hickey Vet Tech Institute. 

The Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can earn, recognizes a Girl Scout's commitment to excellence as she develops skills and values to meet present and future challenges in her life. To earn the Girl Scout Gold Award, a Girl Scout Senior or Girl Scout Ambassador must design and carry out a project that fulfills a need within a girl’s community, creates change, and is sustainable. The project must be completed with a suggested minimum of 80 hours of work. Only about 5 percent of eligible girls earn the prestigious Gold Award.

GSSI Council Shop Update: March 2017

New Items

Check out our new merchandise! GSSI has lots of new merchandise for girls and adult volunteers. Stop by a retail shop soon or browse our virtual catalog. 

Girl Scout Week

March 12-18 Girl Scouts are celebrating their 105th Birthday. 

GSSI Council Shop Hours

GSSI Council Shops are open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday throughThursday

Annual Meeting

GSSI's Annual Meeting is Saturday, April 1, 2017 at Holiday Inn in Mount Vernon. The Council Shop will be open from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. If you need us to bring anything special, please contact Beth Ross by March 23.  We hope to see you there!

Online Shop

You can always shop for your Girl Scout merchandise 24/7 online! Even though these sales go through the National Warehouse, the council still receives revenue from all the sales.

Mobile Shops

Several areas are running Mobile Shops at their events. You can too!!! If interested in a running a Mobile Shop at your local service unit or regional event, please contact one of the Council Shop Representatives listed below. 

GSSI Council Shop Contact Information:

Corporate Service Center: Beth Ross: 618.692.0692, ext. 1129 or e-mail: bross@gsofsi.org

Regional Service Center: Linda Quinn: 618.242.5079, ext. 2115 or e-mail: lquinn@gsofsi.org

March Program Newsletters Available Online Now

Read the March 2017 Program Newsletters: 

Daisies/Brownies/Juniors: March 2017

Features include: upcoming programs, yoga class opportunity and info on the "Spring Clean Up" Council-Wide Community Service Project. 

Cadettes/Seniors/Ambassadors: March 2017

Features include: upcoming programs, information about becoming a Counselor-In-Training and more!