Girl Scouts reach milestone
Six young ladies from Girl Scout Troops 535, 544, and 561 of Desoto Parish have reached a very difficult goal. These young ladies decided that they would like to earn their Girl Scout Cadette Silver Award before June 1. The Girl Scout Silver Award represents a girl’s accomplishments in Girl Scouting and her community as she grows and works to improve her life and the lives of others. The Silver Award is the second highest Girl Scout Award that a girl can earn.
Alexis Houser, a seventh grade student at North Desoto Middle School, of Troop 561; Samantha Slay, a sixth grade student at Many Junior High, of Troop 535; Darcy Fabre, a sixth grade student at Pelican All Saints High School, of Troop 535; Destiny Davis, a sixth grade student at Mansfield Middle School, of Troop 544; Sallia Jackson a sixth grade student at Mansfield Middle School, of Troop 544; and Sarah Pousson, a seventh grade student at St. John Berchman’s Catholic School, of Troop 535 began their planning in late March. They decided that their main project would be to renovate a cabin up at Camp Wawbansee in Simsboro.
The Girl Scouts decided they would all need to complete the initial requirements before they could step forward to start the actual planning and preparing for their project. While working on their badge work and leadership hours, they began brain storming ideas of what they wanted to do. All of the girls inputted ideas of what they would like to change during the cabin renovation. On May 1, the girls, their advisor, and parent volunteers went up to the camp to see which cabin would be used for the renovation. The girls sat inside the cabin with their tape measures, notebooks, pencils, and imaginations. When they came out of the cabin they had a full picture of what they would like to do. They sat and made out their lists of supplies and tools they would need. So now they had a game plan.
While some of the girls were finishing up their badge work, the other girls began making the budget by price checking and setting up a cost sheet. They decided some of the items they had wanted were expensive and decided a cheaper substitution was in order. All of the girls sat together and made a list of possible vendors who may donate a supply that could be used towards their renovation. The girls mailed out donation letters to several vendors. Ivey Lumber Company in Mansfield was the first to respond with a very large donation of supplies. Parents and family members of the cadettes were the next to respond as the girls mark of June 1 fast approached. Wendy Funke donated a large amount of supplies by donating gift cards for various vendors that the girls needed supplies from. Paula Pousson donated wood stain, six fancy spindle legs, and small wooden circles. Kathy Hall donated a decorative bench, some colorful throws, and a beautiful wind chime. The girls decided that it was time to prepare for the renovation. They all voted for the weekend of May 14 - 16 to be their renovation weekend. The girls worked very hard that weekend renovating the cabin from the floor on up. Each girl had chosen a specific job and worked vigorously to complete their task. Sunday evening, May 16, around 6 p.m. the project was finally done. The dedicated Girl Scouts had done it! They had made a comfortable and beautiful place for every girl to enjoy during their stays at Camp Wawbansee. The smiles of accomplishment from the tired girls said it all that day. Congratulations Girls, you have made a difference!
Picture: Proud of their dedication and accomplishment are on the front row sitting, Brownie Assistant Madeleine Steelman and Cadette Samantha Slay. Standing are, from left, Construction Assistant Adam Lahneman, Cadette Sarah Pousson, Cadette Darcy Fabre, Cadette Alexis Houser, Cadette Sallia Jackson, Cadette Destiny Davis, and Wood Working Consultant: Mike Lindsay. Not pictured are Cadette Silver Award Advisor Laura Lahneman and Parent Volunteers Paula Pousson and Patricia Lahneman.
