Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland has awarded the Juliette Gordon Low Achievement Award – the council’s highest honor – to a lifetime Girl Scout member who began volunteering in 1960 as a Brownie troop leader.
Rosemary Smith of Haysville received the distinguished award for demonstrating unique and significant contributions across the council. The Juliette Gordon Low Achievement Award, introduced by Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland in 2012 and named after the founder of Girl Scouts of the USA, also recognizes those who have a continued impact and embody the values in the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
Since becoming a troop leader in 1960, Smith has volunteered in every capacity of Girl Scouting: adviser, trainer, committee member, camp director, board member, national delegate and more. She always had her hand up to help. Smith served on the council’s outdoor program committee for 11 years and as committee chair for five years. She also served on the council’s property committee for 13 years, the Wichita Area Board of Directors for six years, and on the Festival of Giving committee for 33 years, including seven as committee chair. She attended nine National Girl Scout Conventions and has served on the executive board of Girl Scout Alumni & Friends for eight years, currently serving as co-chair of the council’s historical collection.
Smith’s legacy can also be demonstrated by the accomplishments of the girls she mentored: six girls earned the First Class rank; five girls earned the Gold Award; one girl became a Girl Scout staff member; and 17 girls became Girl Scout troop leaders themselves.
Longtime volunteer Shirley Mosher of Wichita, who earned the award in 2014, said Smith “exemplifies what Juliette Gordon Low wanted adult leaders to be!”
“Our dedicated volunteers encourage girls to raise their hands, make a difference in their community, and set their sights on the stars,” said Liz Workman, CEO of Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland. “They prepare girls to lead successful lives and play a key part in our mission of building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.”
Other area Girl Scout volunteers who received awards from Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland include:
Appreciation Pin – For excellent service in delivering the Girl Scout mission to one or more geographic areas
· Jennifer Fawcett, Leader of Troop 40555, Goddard
· Mardith Hammond, Leader of Troop 40345, Wichita
· Dr. Elaine Harrington, Council Trainer, Wichita
· Amy Harris, Leader of Troop 40012, Maize
· Christina House, Leader of Troop 40408, Valley Center
· Janet O’Donnell, Leader of Troops 40831 and 40008, Valley Center
· Samantha Stueven, Leader of Troops 40948 and 40326, Augusta
Thanks Badge – For having a measureable impact on meeting the priorities of the entire council
· Wayne Chambers, Council Board Member, Wichita – Thanks Badge
· Susan Martin, Leader of Troop 40069, Wichita – Thanks Badge
· Carol Ruff, Service Unit Manager, Derby – Thanks Badge II
Treasured Time Award – For making a significant impact on Girl Scouting with their time, talent and treasure
· Robin Armfield, Leader of Troop 40132, Sedgwick
· Fred Gassert, Co-leader of Troop 40616, Wichita
Volunteer of Excellence Award – For outstanding service working with girls or supporting the council’s mission
· Jill Collins, Leader of Troop 40107, Wichita
· Jennifer Curtis, Leader of Troop 40107, Wichita
· Krista Davis, Leader of Troop 40503, Wichita
· Danielle Dodds, Leader of 40310, Andover
· Kelly Dumler, Leader of Troops 40323 and 40182, Wichita
· Tanya Honton Leddy, Leader of Troop 40451, Bel Aire
· Laura Hubbard, Wichita Northwest Service Unit Treasurer
· Robert Lee, Council Trainer/Troop Committee Member, Wichita
· Phyllis Makle, Leader of Troop 40144, Wichita
· Shelley McClure, Leader of Troop 40037, Wichita
· Patricia Munk, Co-leader of Troop 40007, Wichita
· Stephanie Nicks, Leader of Troops 40588 and 40948, Augusta
· Kristy Plotner, Leader of Troop 40656, Wichita
· Michelle Smith, Co-leader of Troops 40831 and 40020, Valley Center
· Melinda Stephenson, Cookie Program volunteer, Sedgwick
· Amanda Treadwell, Leader of Troop 40963, Derby
· Cindy Turner, Co-leader of Troop 40588, Andover
· Andrea Vincent, Leader of Troop 40616, Wichita
President’s Award – For making a significant impact in reaching council goals by supporting Girl Scouts
· Sedgwick West Service Unit, serving West Wichita, Goddard, Cheney, Garden Plain, Andale, Colwich and Schulte