12 local Girl Scouts troops honored for outstanding leadership
Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines has designated Girl Scout Troop #1791 of Four Oaks, as one of twelve Daisy’s Dozen Elite Troops for its 2017-2018 membership year. The Daisy Dozen Elite Troop is awarded to troops that go above and beyond in their outstanding leadership experiences.
In honor of the vision that Girl Scout founder Juliette Gordon Low, affectionately known as “Daisy,” had for girls, the Daisy’s Dozen Troop Assessment Program was created by Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines to help ensure girls are receiving an enriching Girl Scout experience. After reviewing hundreds of assessments, only 12 out of the council’s approximately 1,500 troops were selected from across the council’s 41-county region. Girls must work together as a troop to succeed in all of the leadership activities throughout the course of the year.
“By earning this elite recognition, the girls and their leaders have demonstrated their investment in the Girl Scout leadership experience,” said Shawna Peaks, membership executive of Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines. “Their exemplary commitment to service in their communities and their dedication to the growth of Girl Scouts makes them standouts among an impressive group of girls across the state.”
The Daisy Dozen Elite Troop includes an assessment tool that outlines a dozen steps each troop must complete throughout the year in different categories including: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), financial literacy, camp and the outdoors, and entrepreneurship. Troops can strive for “elite” status by successfully completing six bonus steps like participating in local and council-sponsored events.
Girl Scout Troop #1791 was awarded The Daisy Dozen Elite Troop title in 2018 by going above and beyond and building leadership through new activities and service. The girls held a flag ceremony, attended a town meeting, and worked on badges like Simple Meals, Drawing, Cookie CEO, and Business Plan. They also completed multiple service projects like cleaning up local schools, planting azaleas to help with erosion, and they hosted a Flag Retirement Ceremony on Memorial Day.
“Girl Scouts is a safe harbor for our girls to learn about anything that they are interested in; from animals to outdoor survival and everything in between. Best of all, they can learn at their own pace and ability,” said troop leader Helen Allen. “We have one young lady in our troop who was very shy and timid when she joined several years ago. She has now come out of her shell and leads discussions and projects. Girl Scouts helped her to find her voice.”
Johnston Girl Scout Troop #1791 is a Junior troop with girls in grades 4-5. The troop has 10 members and is led by Helen Allen.
This was the fifth year for Daisy’s Dozen Troop assessment program. The annual Girl Scout membership runs October 1 through September 30.
Troop members will be honored at an upcoming special event that commends their commitment to girl leadership development and taking the lead the Girl Scout way.
