Stan Clark from Trenton Receives the Thanks Badge II, Girl Scouts' Highest Adult Volunteer Award

Stan Clark from Trenton has received the Thanks Badge II for his exceptional volunteer service to Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois. The Thanks Badge II is the highest adult volunteer award and honors a previous Thanks Badge recipient who has continued to provide exemplary service in a leadership role, resulting in a measurable impact that benefits the total council or entire Girl Scout movement.

“Stan is dedicated, reliable and tireless! He is a wonderful ambassador for Girl Scouting," said fellow volunteer Angie Zahn.

Mary Anne Hopper from Waterloo Receives the Thanks Badge II - Girl Scouts' Highest Adult Volunteer Award

Mary Anne Hopper from Waterloo has received the Thanks Badge II for her exceptional volunteer service to Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois. The Thanks Badge II is the highest adult volunteer award and honors a previous Thanks Badge recipient who has continued to provide exemplary service in a leadership role, resulting in a measurable impact that benefits the total council or entire Girl Scout movement.

“Mary Anne continues her long standing commitment to the Girl Scout program and Waterloo Service Unit. Mary Anne IS the reason Girl Scout membership is thriving in this area, ” said fellow volunteer Sara Hilgedieck

Rosemary Gruber from Belleville Receives Thanks Badge II, Girl Scouts' Highest Adult Volunteer Award

Rosemary Gruber from Belleville has received the Thanks Badge II for her exceptional volunteer service to Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois. The Thanks Badge II is the highest adult volunteer award and honors a previous Thanks Badge recipient who has continued to provide exemplary service in a leadership role, resulting in a measurable impact that benefits the total council or entire Girl Scout movement.

“Rosemary has been in Girl Scouts for 50+ years. She has had so much experience in teaching adults and girls how to be a true Girl Scout. She is the reason I became a leader," said fellow volunteer Jodie Herbstritt. 

Gretel Pierpoint from Marion Receives Girl Scouts' Thanks Badge II

Top volunteers were recognized at Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois' 6th Annual Meeting on March 28 at Rend Lake Resort. GSSI’s 4,500 Girl Scout volunteers play an instrumental role in providing leadership programming and opportunities for more than 14,000 girls in southern Illinois. 

“Girl Scouting in southern Illinois would not be what it is today without the dedication, passion and leadership of all of our volunteers,” said Appoo. “We are honored to present these awards to our exceptional volunteers as they are the driving force behind carrying out GSSI’s mission of building leaders for America. I Can’t Wait To continue working with these amazing volunteers to ensure all girls in southern Illinois can benefit from a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience,” Appoo added. 

Gretel Pierpoint from Marion received the Thanks Badge II, which is the top award that an adult member can earn. This award recognizes an adult member who has already received the Thanks Badge and who has continued to contribute in extraordinary ways that benefit the total council or the entire Girl Scout movement.


Gretel Pierpoint, Service Unit #42, East Williamson

“I help build future leaders by encouraging girls to find their voice and have the courage and confidence to use it,” said Gretel.