The Promise Magazine_Summer/Fall 2023 by Girl Scouts Heart of the South

Hi there

Girl Scout Friends!

Wow! I cannot believe it's been over three years since we were able to bring The Promise magazine to your mailbox!

To say I am thrilled beyond belief to be back helping to create this fantastic publication for you - our amazing members and volunteers - is an understatement! We are all beyond proud of everything our girls have accomplished, and we're excited to be able to share these stories with you - and the world - once again!

Without a doubt, the COVID pandemic changed our lives and changed our perspectives on many things, but it did NOT change Girl Scouts' commitment and resolve to be here, bringing meaningful experiences and lasting change to the lives of every girl in this council. As you'll see from this issue, Girl Scouts Heart of the South has been busy continuing in our efforts to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place! We've been continuing to encourage girls to make a difference in their communities while working towards a Girl Scout Higher Award! And we've been continuing to enhance and expand our program offerings to more and more girls throughout our council.

But not everything has remained the same - we've added a few things too! With help from our partners at Toyota Mississippi, we're now able to take 21st Century programming ON THE ROAD with our new (and thoroughly amazing) Mobile STEAM Lab! And we're able to keep in touch with you and keep you "in the know" even faster with the advent of our new texting service! If you haven't opted in yet, make sure to do so TODAY by completing the form found at the link below. That way you'll be sure to never miss an important announcement or program opportunity again!

Again, I am so honored and thrilled to be bringing The Promise back for our longtime members and to be able to introduce new members to this inspiring publication. Going forward, we will publish one print issue each fall and one online-only issue in the spring. We're always on the lookout for fantastic stories to share! If your troop is out there doing something great, let us know! Email your story along with high-resolution photos to news@girlscoutshs.org. We can't wait to see what you're up to and to share it with the world! Take care and enjoy the issue!

Your Friend in Scouting Always,

ALISON COONS

Chief Marketing & Communications Officer

Girl Scouts Heart of the South

Editor, Senior Art Director, The Promise Magazine alison.coons@girlscoutshs.org

To opt-in to our new texting service, visit https://bit.ly/gshs_TEXT23

The Girl Scout Promise

On my honor, I will try: to serve God and my country, to help people at all times, and to live by the Girl Scout Law.

Girl Scouts Heart of the South

Promise Magazine Team

Chief Executive Officer

Venus Chaney

Editor, Senior Art Director

Alison Coons

Contributing Editors

Myra Collins, Emilie Hutcheson,

Katie Jenkins, Jenny Jones

2023-2024 GSHS Board of Directors

Lori Patton, Chair

Sharon Younger, 1st Vice Chair

Jil Greene, 2nd Vice Chair

Reagan Taylor Fondren, Secretary

Nancy Cochran, Treasurer/Finance Chair

Desi Franklin, Board Development Committee Chair

Cynthia Bradford

Amanda Child

Casey Condra

Sydney Diavua

Dr. Pamela Evans

Rosemarie Fair

Tracey Zerwig-Ford

facebook.com/girlscoutshs

instagram.com/girlscoutshs (@girlscoutshs)

Keith Fulcher

Allison Pace

Victoria Ragland

Bishop Phoebe Roaf

Lana Suite

Dr. Deborah West

pinterest.com

youtube.com/user/girlscoutshs

The Girl Scout Mission

Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

A Message from our CEO The Real World Work of Girl Scouts

As we embark upon the many adventures this new membership year will most certainly bring, our goal is to level up our programs, ramp up our recruitment, and show up for our girls and volunteers.

But have you seen the news lately or heard any of the data on the state of girls? Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas rank last among states when it comes to girls' social, emotional, and physical wellbeing, meaning girls in our council have more risk factors for things like depression, obesity, anxiety, low self-esteem, and dropping out of school. Our states also rank lowest in literacy and math.

This issue of The Promise is filled with the accomplishments of our Girl Scouts, volunteers, and of our Council. And while I am so very proud of all that we have achieved, we must zero in on the challenges that keep girls from reaching their dreams. We must use our strength in numbers, creative programs, collective energy, partnerships, and financial and human resources to chip away at those risk factors to positively change the trajectory of girls' lives.

Like you, I believe in the power of the Girl Scout experience and the leadership skills girls develop through their participation in Girl Scouting. We must continue to do our part to engage girls in exciting, immersive activities and opportunities that encourage them to dream without borders, equip them with the necessary tools to bust through barriers, and empower them to make a difference in their lives and the lives of others.

I hope you enjoy this issue of The Promise as much as we enjoyed putting it together for you. As you flip through the pages, I hope you see what I see: dreams imagined and fulfilled, girls who are full of life and love making the world a better place, and girls full of the promise and potential of tomorrow.

Building girls of courage, confidence, and character, that's what we do. I urge you to join today, volunteer today, or donate today, so you can too.

There's no better time like the present.

All the Best, Venus

VENUS CHANEY Chief Executive Officer

Girl Scouts Heart of the South

Atoka, TN-area Troop 13804 holds a Clean Up Day

Through inspiring partnerships with organizations across our council area, Girl Scouts are given opportunities to explore their dreams and realize their potential. Pictured here are participants in the Girls in Aviation Day event sponsored by Delta State University.

The Girl Scout Law I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.

The 2023 Dessert First fundraiser was held at the Gumtree Museum of Art in Downtown Tupelo on February 21st. Sponsors and attendees were treated to tasty treats by local chefs and restaurants. Ten dessert creators selected a Girl Scout Cookie to inspire their creation for participants to sample and select their favorite. Chef Cooper Miller from Forklift restaurant was selected as the People’s Choice Award recipient for the second year in a row. Cooper was inspired by the Raspberry Rally Girl Scout Cookie and offered a chocolate mousse with raspberry drizzle. Participating restaurants, bakeries and caterers were: Angie’s Sweet Treats, Ethel Mae’s, Forklift, Fox’s Pizza, Jim’s Barbeque, Krisha Mim’s Catering, Nautical Whimsey, Romie’s, Sweetie Pies, and Weezie’s Deli.

Participants also enjoyed live music performed by local musician Michael Thomas and a Silent Auction that included furniture, gift cards, hotel stays, jewelry and much more. Girl Scouts Heart of the South is grateful to our event sponsors: CREATE Foundation, Renasant Bank, Rotary Club of Tupelo, Tommy Morgan Realtors, TRI Realtors, Cadence Bank, CB&S Bank, Community Bank, Melissa Harrison Law Firm, Watkins Uiberall, PLLC, and Gumtree Museum of Art.,

Pictured l-r: Sarah Young, Helen Monts, Linda Hale, Marianne Sleep, Helen Boerner

GSHS Chief Community Engagement Officer, Jenny Jones, and Chef Cooper Miller of Forklift

2023 Girl Scouts Heart of the South Annual Meeting

On Saturday, April 29, 2023 Girl Scouts Heart of the South proudly hosted our 2023 Annual Meeting inperson for the first time since 2018! GSHS members from across our council region gathered at Collierville United Methodist Church to celebrate the accomplishments of the past year, conduct necessary council business, and to meet and install the members of our Girl Scouts Heart of the South 2023-2024 Board of Directors.

After a rousing welcome from GSHS Board Chair, Lori Patton, our newly named CEO, Venus Chaney, addressed the crowd and eagerly shared our council's - and our girls' - many accomplishments from this past year.

Chief among these successes was an almost 9% increase in our number of girl members year over year. Our goal for the MY23 membership year was a 5% increase –and we well exceeded that! That’s 9% more girls in our 59 county area whose lives are being changed – for the better – by Girl Scouts. Part of this growth can be attributed both to the council's efforts to reestablish our partnership with the Memphis Police Department and our expanding number of Community Troops

throughout our jurisdiction. More information about both of these inspiring efforts can be found on page 10.

GSHS is thrilled to see this amazing growth and we are determined to do everything it takes to keep it going up! Because that is our MAIN goal - to bring the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to more and more girls all across our area each and every year.

Part of that effort is being able to offer amazing and inspiring programming not only to girls in our community or police-run troops – but for ALL our girls. Our program team was hard at work this year working to do just that. Over the course of the year, our program team - together with partner organizations and local facilities - offered 39 individual, in-person events serving a total of 1,922 girls in all three regions of the council. Most notably, we were able to once again offer our council-wide, girl-focused expo event – now called Totally Trefoil! And we were thrilled to debut our new Mobile STEAM lab made possible by a generous $85,000 grant from Toyota of Mississippi! We invite you to find (continued p. 8)

(center) GSHS Board Chair Lori Patton (left) GSHS Board 2nd Vice Chair Jil Greene (right) GSHS Board Secretary Reagan Taylor Fondren

(continued from page 7)

out more about both of these outstanding program efforts on pages 23 and 26, respectively.

Through the amazing efforts of our dedicated volunteers and outstanding, entrepreneurial girls, our council had a very successful 2022 Fall Product Program. 251 troops and 1,100 girls sold a total of $435,194.87 in nut, candy, and magazines, which is a 10.2% increase over the previous year! The top 5 sellers within the council, together, sold almost $16,916 in product!

Although the 2023 Girl Scout Cookie Program was plagued by cookie shortages from Little Brownie Bakers that continued throughout the sale, our girls and volunteers faced these challenges head-on and helped the council to end the season strong! 421 troops and 3,235 girls sold 1,043,990 boxes of cookies, which was a 10.99% increase over the previous year. Our top 5 sellers, together, sold over 30,014 boxes of cookies!

All of our Top Product Sellers and GSHS Higher Awards Recipients were honored at the 2023 GIRL Celebration immediately following the 2023 Annual Meeting. You can learn more about each of them and all of our outstanding Higher Awards Recipients' Take Action Projects starting on page 11!

GSHS CEO Venus Chaney concluded her remarks by sharing something unique and amazing that happened for our council this past year. In 2022, Girl Scouts Heart of the South was thrilled to receive an unsolicited and unexpected $1.1 million dollar donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. This generous gift was part of an $84.5 million donation awarded to GSUSA and 29 local Girl Scout councils personally selected by MacKenzie Scott, making this unprecedented investment the largest donation from a single individual in the national organization’s history and the largest single individual donation in our council’s history. Going forward, this gift will power Girl Scouts Heart of the South’s continued efforts to provide unmatched leadership development and enrichment opportunities and advance the organization’s mission to provide lifechanging experiences, mentorship, and programming for local girls.

After sharing this inspiring news, Chaney again thanked the volunteers in attendance and the business portion of the meeting ensued. A minor amendment to the verbiage of Article X Section 1. B of the Girl Scouts Heart of the South Bylaws was passed and the members of the 2023-2024 Girl Scouts Heart of the South Board of Directors were installed (pictured right).

GSHS Board Chair, Lori Patton, then thanked everyone in attendance, formally concluded the meeting and invited all those planning to attend the GIRL Celebration (immediately following the Annual Meeting) to enjoy the luncheon provided by the council before the day's next exciting event! ,

2023 GS Gold Award Recipient Tess Hinkle and Leanne Hinkle

Shandrika Hampton & Jamesha Payne

Helen York and Judy Arrington

Kallie, Katie, and Chloe Wright

Lori Patton, Chair VP Operations, Roadshow BMW/Mini Memphis, TN

Sharon Younger, 1st Vice Chair President, Younger & Associates Memphis, TN

Jil Greene, 2nd Vice Chair Vice President, Field HR, AutoZone Memphis, TN

Reagan Taylor Fondren, Secretary Assistant US Attorney for the Western District of TN ~ Memphis, TN

Desi Franklin Board Development Committee Chair Sr. VP, Assistant General Counsel First Horizon ~ Memphis, TN

Cynthia Bradford System Community Involvement Manager Baptist Health Care Corp. ~ Memphis, TN

Amanda Child Paralegal, International Paper Memphis, TN

Casey Condra Chief Marketing Officer Orion Federal Credit Union ~ Memphis, TN

Sydney Diavua Community Partnerships & Investment Team Director, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis ~ Memphis, TN

Dr. Pamela Evans Obstetrician, Evans Medical Clinic Jackson, TN

Rosemarie Fair Owner, One Source Commercial, Inc. Memphis, TN

Tracey Zerwig-Ford Fine Arts Director, Hutchison School Memphis, TN

Keith Fulcher President, Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi ~ Hernando, MS

Allison Pace Professional Voice Talent and Actor Memphis, TN

Victoria Ragland Diversity and Inclusion Advisor, Pinnacle Financial Partners ~ Memphis, TN

Bishop Phoebe Roaf Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee Memphis, TN

Lana Suite Partner & Director of Research, Younger & Associates ~ Jackson, TN

Dr. Debra West Chancellor, Arkansas State University Mid-South ~ West Memphis, AR

Nancy Cochran Treasurer/Finance Chair Consultant, Burleigh Consulting Group Memphis, TN

MY23 Council Outreach Efforts

GSHS also enjoyed a significant increase in the number of our Community Troops this year. Formerly known as “In the School Day” troops, our Community Troops meet at school, during the school day or just after school.

Supported both by Girl Scouts Heart of the South council staff and by staff funded by our AmeriCorps grant, the Community Troop program increased its membership by 260% this year! Community Troops were present in schools in all three of our regions (Greater Memphis, North Mississippi and West Tennessee) serving a total of almost 1,000 girls! Each of these girls earned between 7 and 11 badges this year and also got to participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program. The success of this program this year was just outstanding and we are already hard at work determining how we can make it bigger and better next year! ,

In 2023, the Memphis Police Department reestablished their efforts to recruit and maintain police-sponsored troops. This partnership has been one of the highlights of this amazing year! Forty female officers signed up to become Girl Scout volunteers and they could not have been more excited to be part of this program. Their enthusiasm for this opportunity to work with the girls in the communities they served was truly contagious!

This year they served 42 girls who otherwise would not have had the opportunity to take part in Girl Scouts, and they ALL (adults included) had a wonderful experience. They even sold cookies! We are so excited for this partnership’s potential and we can’t wait to see how it grows and how it impacts the lives of girls throughout Memphis!

The council hopes that – going forward - we can use this model to begin to work with police departments in other areas of the council to deliver Girl Scout programming to their girls thus increasing our reach and our ability to build more girls of courage, confidence, and character in more corners of our council jurisdiction. We’re very excited to see this program grow! ,

Shannon Elementary girls & leaders

Bragg Elementary Troop 50309

Sale Elementary girls & leaders

MPD Girl Scout troop members, volunteers, and GSHS staff

MPD Chief C.J. Davis & GSHS Staff Members

Traci Nichols & Lisa Marcom

2022 2023

Honoring the 2022-2023 Girl Scouts Heart of the South Higher Awards Recipients & Top Product Sellers

Each Spring, Girl Scouts Heart of the South takes pride in honoring the accomplishments of our outstanding girls by publicly recognizing all of our dedicated Top Product Sales winners, our annual scholarship recipients, our graduating seniors, those celebrating 10 Years of Girl Scout Membership, and all of our Higher Awards Recipients for that year at the aptly named GIRL Celebration.

However, since 2020, GSHS has been limited to publicizing these dedicated young women's accomplishments solely via Zoom and on social media, however this year, we were pleased to once again be able to honor these amazing girls in-person at the 20222023 GIRL Celebration! Held immedately following the 2023 Annual Meeting on Saturday, April 29 at Collierville

Emma Bush

Troop 10554/SU 175 Collierville, TN

The Pet Pantry Emma wanted to address the issues of lack of supplies and donations throughout nonprofit animal shelters and services. She created a Pet Pantry Donation box as an aid for donations. The box allows people to drop off donations at their convenience and ensures that animal shelters get donations year-round. Emma partnered with Memphis Animal Services to maintain and promote the Pet Pantry for years to come.

United Methodist Church, attendees were treated to lunch and then convened to take part in this inspiring event!

GSHS CEO, Venus Chaney, GSHS Board Chair, Lori Patton, GSHS Chief Community Engagement Officer (and GS Gold Award recipient), Jenny Jones, and GSHS Vice President of Product Program, Brittan Davis, presided over this year's ceremony.

The day's events began with a welcome and heartfelt congratulations from GSHS CEO, Venus Chaney. GSHS VP of Product Program, Brittan Davis, then presented trophies to the Top Five Sellers in both the 2022 Fall Product Program and the 2023 Girl Scout Cookie (continued p. 14)

Ramyla Dahmer

Troop 10005/SU 173 Memphis, TN

Illuminating Awareness on Minority Health and Sickle Cell Disease!

As a patient of the inherited blood disease, Sickle Cell, Ramyla noticed that young people in her community were unaware of sickle cell disease and their genetic trait status, and how it could affect their unborn child. She also used her project to raise awareness of health issues/disparities among the black community, speaking about her disease during Black History Month and encouraging health awareness across her community. Ramyla launched a website, www.dare2growaware.com, distributed information cards and partnered with Vitalant and the Sickle Cell Foundation to continue printing and distributing the cards.

Gold Award Girl Scouts are Part of an Elite Group of Young Women

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest achievement in Girl Scouts. Since 1916, Girl Scouts have been making meaningful, sustainable change in their communities and around the world. While earning the Girl Scout Gold Award, girls create their own personalized leadership journey through self-improvement, leadership development, career development, and community service. Earning the Girl Scout Gold Award is a major accomplishment in a girl’s life and is a culmination of all that a girl has learned in Girl Scouts.

Gold Award Girl Scouts are courageous leaders and visionary change makers. We invite you to read all about our insipiring 2022-2023 Girl Scout Gold Award recipients on the following pages. Girl Scouts Heart of the South is proud of all our Girl Scout Gold Award winners, and we hope that these outstanding young women and their exciting projects will inspire more girls to take action and Go Gold! in 2024!

Emily Dockstader

Troop 13141/SU 175

Collierville, TN

Gardening with the Homeless

Emily created a gardening program at Room in the Inn-Memphis. Room in the Inn provides families and patients just out of the hospital temporary housing and resources until they can move into their own homes. She built garden beds and planted vegetables and herbs to be used in the kitchen. The residents, staff, and volunteers utilize and maintain the gardens. She also partnered with the Memphis Public Library’s Seed Library to provide the materials for Grow Kits to go home with residents. The Grow Kits include seeds, a compostable pot, soil, and instructions. The Seed Library will also continue to provide seeds for the gardens she installed throughout different planting seasons.

Loralei Forgette

Troop 10879/SU 178

Memphis, TN

Ready to Recycle

Loralei launched a recycling program at Hutchison School that teaches girls what it truly means to recycle, and the effort and mechanics that go behind it. It allows girls to learn individual leadership, as they are in charge of collecting from specific areas around campus, as well as learning that service isn’t always glamorous. Through a partnership with the school, the program has student leaders who oversee the recycling program and students are active in making sure items make it to the appropriate recycle bins.

Zoe Zerwig-Ford

Troop 10879/SU 178

Memphis, TN

Gold Girl Graphics

Zoe wanted to educate the public and raise awareness on the gender pay gap and other women in the workplace issues that affect society as a whole. She started by conducting research workshops around the issue with groups of girls and designing a website and a mural that identify and raise awareness to issues around the gender pay gap. These designs culminated to be a pop art mural that shines a light on the gender pay gap and draws traffic to the website for more information.

Margaret Green

Troop 20031/SU 236

Corinth, MS

Sensory Bins for Elementary Classrooms

Maggie aimed to address classroom issues for children who have sensory disorders. She placed bins in each of the classrooms on the pre-k and kindergarten hallway of her local elementary school that had toys specifically made for children with sensory disorders. The bins gave the teachers the ability to allow the kids to have items that can keep them busy, calm their nerves, and even help them focus more on what is going on in the classroom. She partnered with the Corinth Crown Club to maintain and replenish the bins as needed.

GSHS is proud to announce our 2023 GSUSA Gold Award

$10,000 Scholarship Recipient

Ramyla Dahmer!

The GSUSA Gold Award Scholarship recognizes one Gold Award Girl Scout per council each year. Chosen by an independent selection committee, the GSUSA Gold Award Scholarship provides recipients with a $10,000 scholarship, offical award letter, and recognition in local and national Girl Scout promotions, including on the Gold Award Girl Scouts Class webpage. Congratulations, Ramyla!

Catherine Grisham

Troop 20031/SU 236

Corinth, MS

Project READ

(Read, Enjoy, Access & Discover)

Catherine implemented a sustained literacy program at Corinth Elementary School that encourages students to read more while competing against other classes, other students and raising the school’s overall reading scores. By the third 9-weeks, the number of books being read increased by 36.8%. As a result of the program, test scores revealed a 30% increase in the number of students reading above grade level, and a 16% increase in the number of students reading at grade level. The Corinth Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization agreed to sustain the project and will designate budget funds to purchase prizes for the students.

Lauren Hobson Troop 10005/SU 173

Memphis, TN

The Core Five: Super Strategies of Mindfulness

Lauren designed materials and resources for ReSet rooms in Shelby County Schools to help familiarize students with de-escalation techniques for intense emotions. The project serves as an early intervention to improve the mental health of future adolescents. Due to the varied causes of stressors in adolescence, the school system was chosen as the ReSet environment because it offers daily consistency through schedules and a safe separation from external stressors that may make coping in the community difficult. The Shelby County School District is training faculty members to implement these skills with students and help direct them to ReSet rooms so they can alleviate anxiety and allow them to return to class.

Mary-Thérèse Hinkle

Troop 13377/SU 171

Arlington, TN

Arlington APTA

Chapter App

Tess created an app for smart phones that allows people to explore and learn about the history of Arlington and its historic buildings, churches, and homes for free. She collected feedback from app users and learned that some would be sharing the app with out-of-town guests and even their students. Tess partnered with the Arlington Chapter of the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities (APTA) to host the link to download the app on their website and update the app as needed.

Aanya Kabra

Troop 13098/SU 178 Memphis, TN

Childhood Obesity: Prevention & Intervention

Aanya recruited a team of middle schoolers and educated and trained them about childhood obesity through thorough research and talking to experts.

She and her team worked together to create a presentation and video educating students about childhood obesity. The video was played at multiple middle schools in her district. Aanya partnered with a local teacher who will continue to show the video to students each year.

(continued from p. 11) Program. The drive and dedication it takes to make it into this select group of sellers cannot be overstated, and we could not be more proud of them and of their achievements. Top Product Sellers were recognized not only at the GIRL Celebration but also at the CELEB Camp Adventureful events held in June. You can read more about them and their exciting achievements on page 21! GSHS Community Engagement Officer, Jenny Jones, then recognized the Class of 2023, girls receiving their 10-Year Membership Pins, and the 2022-2023 GSHS Scholarship Recipients (listed on page 19).

Troops and individual girls recognized at the GIRL Celebration have all embraced and benefited from the unique opportunities provided to them in Girl Scouts. Through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, they have each found a path to Discover, Connect, and Take Action in their community. Girl Scouts' fun and inspiring programs, our amazing entrepreneurial opportunities, and our unique initiatives and leadership training offerings are what motivate girls to join and keep them coming back to Girl Scouts year after year. And as they mature through our program, they learn how to recognize important issues and how to use their voices to take action and be the change they wish to see in the world.

Gabrielle Miller

Troop 13377/SU 171 Arlington, TN

Daycare AfterSchool Renovation

Gabby partnered with a daycare that serves low-income families to renovate and refresh the room utilized by the afterschool students. She worked with her team and the daycare to design and install a mural that the students can engage with, organize and paint a book case so that books, games and other activities are easily found and stored, and created a space that the students enjoy using. Because of her efforts, the daycare is able to focus on other needs at the facility and continue to provide care to low-income families without raising fees.

Jenna Riggle

Troop 20072/SU 238 Pontotoc, MS

4-H Storage Shed Renovation

Jenna saw a need for her local 4-H organization’s storage shed to be improved so that materials and supplies could be properly stored and maintained. She worked with her team to replace rotting wood, paint and install a ramp for the outside of the shed. Shelving and partitions were installed inside the shed to hold gardening supplies, tents, firearm safety equipment, and STEM activity supplies that can be easily accessed and stored for safe keeping. The local 4-H group will plant raised beds near the shed and maintain the newly refreshed and organized building.

Anna Olson

Troop 10554/SU 175 Collierville, TN

Household

Items

that

are Toxic to Popular Companion Animals

Through research, Anna learned that the U.S. Humane Society estimates that at least 10,000 dogs and cats die from toxic substance ingestion annually. In an effort to educate pet owners, she created brochures containing information on household toxins such as human foods, scents, and plants and distributed them through local veterinary clinics and animal facilities. Anna was able to partner with four facilities to maintain her information and continue to share it with pet owners who visit.

Sarah Roberson

Troop 20320/SU 243 Starkville, MS

Beauty is Only

Skin Deep

Sarah wanted to share enlightenment, self-esteem and encouragement with students at Starkville High School. She accomplished her goal by painting inspirational quotes on the stalls and mirrors of the school restrooms. She encouraged her teammates to express their creativity in the designs and researched uplifting quotes to include in the project. Sarah was able to partner with the Starkville High School Student Council to maintain and continue the project as needed.

Starting as Juniors, girls are able to begin earning Girl Scouts’ Higher Awards by devising and engaging in service projects that affect real and lasting change in their communities. At this year’s GIRL Celebration, GSHS was proud to honor the 18 girls from our council who achieved their Girl Scout Gold Award during the 20222023 membership year along with 11 troops that earned their Girl Scout Silver Award and 11 troops that earned their Girl Scout Bronze Award. By celebrating girls at each stage of their Girl Scout journey, the GIRL Celebration offers younger girls not only a place to be honored for their own notable achievements but also a place to come and be inspired by the exceptional work of our Girl Scout Gold Award recipients.

Videos detailing each Troop or Girl's Take Action Project were shown on-screen as Jones called those recipients in attendance onstage and presented them with a certificate. We invite you to read about all of them in this issue. The event culminated with the presenting the GSHS Gold Award Girl Scouts in attendance with their Gold Award pin along with various letters of acclamation from state officials, scholarship offers and graduation regalia signifying that they earned this prestigious honor. Congratulations to all of these amazing girls! We can’t wait to see what you do next! ,

Lily Schauwecker

Troop 20320/SU 243

Starkville, MS

J.L. King Center

Update

Lily created an outdoor space to be used by members of her community for different events. She and her team created the space using gravel, stool-stumps, steel liner, and landscaping tarp. Those who use the J.L. King Center now have an outdoor gathering space for learning, arts markets, and drum circles. The center serves children from low-income families in a communitybased engagement program. The volunteers at the center committed to maintain the installation.

Jane Strawderman

IRG/SU 243

Starkville, MS

A Youth Coalition to Address Food

Insecurity

After doing research and attending community meetings for a local nonprofit called Starkville Strong. Jane learned that food insecurity was a problem for many people in her area. She raised awareness of the issue by creating the Starkville Strong Youth Coalition (SSYC). The SSYC provides awareness and volunteer opportunities for teenagers in the Starkville area who want to learn more about food insecurity and participate in volunteer events. Jane led the group by holding two events to gather items for people in need. The SSYC is now a permanent part of Starkville Strong and will be led by a high school junior each year so that the outgoing chair can still be involved as a high school senior.

Amanda Smith

Troop 40105/SU 424

Jackson, TN

Madison Mustang Statue

Having a love for the visual arts, Amanda wanted to create something that would promote Visual Arts in education. She built a 10-ft. tall wrought iron statue of a mustang horse, the school mascot, for her high school. Amanda hopes that the piece serves as a conversation starter about the arts, as well as a promotion for Girl Scouting and the Girl Scout Gold Award. She met her goals by designing the horse, meeting with school officials about placement, creating and constructing the horse and supervising her team for the painting and installation of the statue. The statue is on display at Madison Academic Magnet High School in Jackson, TN.

Alexandra Williams

Troop 20320/SU 243

Starkville, MS

Renovating

the Arts

As a senior at Starkville High School, Alex took note of the poor conditions in the school’s choir room. Poor ventilation caused music to mildew, and disorganization made it difficult to find materials. She built new organization units, and painted and installed them in the uniform room and music library. She converted the empty library into a new storage facility and built seating areas along the practice rooms to accommodate the large school choir. Alex also added a mural to brighten the space and incorporate school spirit.

2023 Silver Award Recipient Chloe Bridgewater

2023 Gold Award Recipient Ramyla Dahmer

2023 Silver Award Recipient Landry Roberts

2023 Bronze Award Recipients Lorelei Johnson & Paelyn Simmons

The Girl Scout Silver Award is the highest award a Cadette can earn. Earning this award puts Cadettes among an exceptional group of girls who have used their knowledge and leadership skills to make a difference in the world. Execution of a Girl Scout Silver Award Take Action Project gives girls the chance to show that they are determined, organized, and dedicated leaders in their community. Each girl listed below has spent at least 50 hours planning and completing her project, and each project has made her community a better place. Congratulations to the following 21 girls representing 11 GSHS Girl Scout Troops who earned their Silver Awards during the 2022-2023 membership year!

Troop 13367

Germantown, TN

Kaamil Majeed

Kobie Majeed

Saileela Sathiyanarayanan

Reading Library for Room in the Inn

After doing some research about literacy in Shelby County, Troop 13367 found that most Shelby County students are not reading at grade level. The girls donated two little free libraries to Room in the Inn, which is a temporary shelter for families with housing needs. This little library will not only serve the Room in the Inn but the community around it. The girls created bookmarks, collected book donations, coordinated the donation of newspaper stands for the little libraries and coordinated a place to have them professionally painted.

Troop 13668

Germantown, TN

Mary Olivia Bondurant

Promoting Diversity in Media

Olivia chose to educate others on the importance of including more diversity in all types of media. She began by creating a sticker to put on library books, which notified people that the book had "Diverse Characters and Themes." She then created a thought-provoking pamphlet with statistics informing people of the true lack of diverse representation and the importance of diversity for all viewers. The pamphlet also included a list of movies and tv shows featuring diverse characters. Additionally, there was space for recipients to list diverse movies that they'd seen to recommend to other people, and discussion questions for them to consider.

She distributed the pamphlet at cookie booths and with her in-person orders for the 2022 and 2023 Girl Scout Cookie seasons. Finally, Olivia went to a Junior Girl Scout

troop meeting and showed some diverse mini-films with themes of inclusion and people with physical/ invisible disabilities. She led a discussion with the girls on the accurate and positive depiction of diverse characters represented and discussed how larger studios are improving the distribution of diverse content.

Troop 13804

Munford, TN

Chloe Bridgewater Honor a Veteran

In conjunction with the Tipton County Museum, Chloe wanted to bring more awareness to the community about the Veteran of the Month program. Every month a veteran is nominated to be recognized for their service and Chloe provided door prizes donated by the businesses in her area, posted flyers and posters around town to advertise the event and kept track of attendance to see if more people were participating to honor their local veterans.

Troop 13804

Munford, TN

Breana Diaz

Baby Blessing Gowns

Breana recycled wedding gowns for infants who spend a short time on this earth.

Troop 20003

Ripley, MS

Jenna Bullock

Little Lending Library

Jenna worked with her local mayor to receive permission to install a little library at a local park. She wrote letters to local businesses regarding her plan to help the community and asked for supplies. Supplies were donated and Jenna worked for weeks on a layout and design and began making the structure that would house the books. Finally, the structure was installed at the local park, and she collected donated books and placed them inside.

Troop 20975 Pontotoc, TN

Landry Roberts

Fresh Take on the Girl Scout Hut

With the help of volunteers and her Girl Scout family, Landry sanded, washed, painted, rearranged, cleaned up outdated materials, redecorated and made new curtains for the Pontotoc Girl Scout Hut. She worked hard to make the hut a place where girls will want to come and be inspired and encouraged to do great things and enjoy memories made with friends today and in the future.

Troop 40099 Jackson, TN

Denitrea Powell

Hope Bags

After having two family members go through breast cancer treatments, Denitrea saw the need to help pass the time during chemotherapy treatments. She organized donations and put together 50 Hope Bags filled with peppermints, pens, pencils, adult activity books, personal tissue packs, an encouragement card, a prayer card, and hand sanitizer. The bags were delivered to the Kirkland Cancer Center for patients to enjoy during their therapy sessions.

Troops 40910 & 40911

Jackson, TN

JaDelle Ross

Jo-Hannah Ross

Self-Care/Self-Esteem Board

Sisters JeDelle and Jo-Hannah chose to create a self-esteem/self-care board for a guidance counselor at Arlington Elementary. They chose the materials and design for the board: black paper, gold trim, the alphabet and words relating to their theme. Pouches were added to the board with encouraging words inside

each pouch. In partnership with the counselor, the girls agreed to allow the students to write to them and let them know how the board made them feel.

Troops

40911

Jackson, TN

Hadley Hart

MaKiyah Martin

Vera Mosebey

Girl Scouts to Savannah, Georgia

The girls of Troop 40911 took a trip to Savannah, GA and took photos and videos of their experience. After returning home, they worked with a videographer to put their work together as an informational video encouraging other Girl Scouts to visit Savannah. The girls included introduction videos for all the places they went and arranged them in the order of what they did during their week.

Troops

40912

Jackson, TN

Lauren Bella Hicks

Helping Hand

Lauren Bella selected an elementary school for which to create and organize a hygiene closet. She partnered with other organizations and hotels to get the supplies she needed and she was able to stock the closet to full capacity.

Troops 43006

Martin, TN

Ellie Brewer

Sadie Claiborne

Savannah Hagan

Aubrey Hicks

Emily Kelley

Emma McGregor

Cleaner Classroom Air

After completing the Breathe Journey, the girls of Troop 43006 donated succulents and other plants for the science classrooms in their middle school.

The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest honor a Girl Scout Junior can achieve. It is a leadership adventure for Girl Scout Juniors! Imagine what you can accomplish when you team up with others and use your special skills and interests to take action and make a difference in the world! While completing their projects, these girls developed confidence, met new people, and had fun with their troop. The girls listed below spent many hours building their teams, exploring their communities, and completing their Take Action Project. We’re proud to say that this year, an amazing 65 Girl Scouts Heart of the South Juniors representing 11 troops earned their Bronze Award during the 2022-2023 membership year! Well done, girls!

Troop 10029

Collierville, TN

Ishika Sooraj

Pollution Awareness

Ishika created a documentary on reduce, reuse and recycle for plastic bottles and posted it on YouTube. She created multiple picture slideshows and posted in Facebook stories. She stitched 20 totebags and distributed them among friends and family to reduce use of plastic grocery bags.

Troop 10075

Germantown, TN

Katelyn Adams

Annie Beasy

Victoria Britson

Grace Kacprowski

Mallory Mosteller

Rainorah Pare

Lara Yaligar

How to Reduce Stress and do Well on the Test

The girls of Troop 10075 created a video called "How to Reduce Stress and Do Well on the Test" to help kids who may be struggling with anxiety related to the TCAP. They did skits showing 10 different things you can do to be prepared or relieve stress when you are feeling overwhelmed. The girls showed the video to classes at Farmington Elementary School. They also be provided stress relief gift bags to the 5th graders. The video will be available for the school to show students in future years.

Troop 10333

Memphis, TN

Katie Carr

Helena Landrigan

Emily Lawrence

Zoe Pretzer

Kate Roy

Bryce Smith

Morgan Warmbrod

Taking Care of Tennessee Snakes

Troop 10333 researched

Tennessee snakes and

created educational materials including a website and a slideshow presentation to share with Girl Scouts and other students. Topics include venomous and nonvenomous snakes, first aid for snake bites, habitats, what to do if you encounter a snake, threats to snakes, and more. The girls visited the zoo to learn from experts, completed research using books and the internet, wrote their own content, and learned how to make a website. The girls invite you to visit www.snakestn.com to learn more about snakes and see why they think snakes are great!

Troop 13193

Bartlett, TN

Quinn Cowen

Taylor Cox

Madison Leaks

Monica Polk

Catherine Shelton

Aubrey Smith

Arianna Sommers

Dianne Thorn

Jiyah Williams

Helping Bring Awareness to Hunger in Bartlett

Through their research the girls learned that hunger in the Midsouth/Bartlett area is a problem and that the Memphis Food Bank helps assist those in need. They further learned that while the Food Bank obtains the majority of its donations during the winter holidays, it is during the summer that donations are lacking and the need for food is the greatest. The girls held two separate food drives at area churches and created videos, and posters and delivered food barrels for donations. After 3 weeks, the girls worked together to deliver the donations to the Bartlett donation drop off for the Food Bank. Upon completion, the girls held a panel discussion for the younger Girl Scouts and parents to discuss their project including what they learned, how it coincided with the

Girl Scout Law and Promise, what difficulties arose in the process, and how much fun they had helping others and learning to work together as a team.

Troop 13602

Olive Branch, MS

Katleigh Barrios Araya

Sydney Conklan

Bailey Courtway

Lilly Day

Zoey Haywood

Ruby Jones

Savannah Mills

Kate Moutoux

Claire Schon

Rebekah Warner

Andi Willard

Lily Willoughby

Healing Hearts Child Advocacy Center

The girls of Troop 13602 partnered with Healing Hearts which provides advocacy services to local children in Desoto and Tate counties. The girls used their Girl Scout Cookie proceeds to purchase 30 new duffle bags along with shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste, lotion, chapstick, tissues, deodorant, and hair ties to donate to the organization. The duffle bags are used for children that are removed from an unsafe situation.

Troop 13771

Lakeland, TN

Lily Cummings

Vivian Estridge

Jocelyn Freund

Mallory Keaton

Kallie Owens

Hadassah Shoga

Support Our Schools

Troop 13771 wanted to help immigrant children that come to their middle and elementary schools, often mid-year, who may not have all of the school supplies they need due to financial circumstances. The girls shopped, and filled eight backpacks with the required school supplies, according

to grade levels in their school system. The girls also purchased and gathered necessary supplies to scrub, clean, and power wash the preschool playground at St. Paul United Methodist Church.

Troop 20320

Starkville, MS

Sofia Dyer

Zoe Ellis

Ashlyn Esters

Addyson Griffin

Mary Henry

Audrey King

Gianna Russell

Badge in a Box for Younger Girl Scouts

Troop 20320 5th Grade Junior Girl Scouts decided to make a Badge in a Box for each individual Brownie Girl Scout to use during their extended Spring Break. The girls worked together to choose a Brownie badge for the box (Senses), plan the contents and activities in the box, pack the boxes, and prepare a presentation explaining the Badge in a Box Program to the Brownie Girl Scouts. The Brownies loved their boxes and parents sent photos of the girls doing the activities included in the box.

Troops 20320

Starkville, MS

Ann Shaifer Jones

Stella Kavalsky

Kinley Grace Smith

Isabella Villarroel

Kennedi West

Elle Williams

Put Litter in Its Place on the Playground

The girls of Troop 20320 noticed that students often littered on the playground area because there were no garbage cans available and decided to purchase, decorate, and donate garbage cans to a local elementary school to put in their playground and snack area. The girls raised money for the project through their Girl

Numerous Scholarship Opportunities are Available for Gold Award Girl Scouts!

2023 GSHS Scholarships

Dianne Belk

Gold Award Scholarships - $1,000

Catherine Grisham

Jane Strawderman

West Tennessee

Girl Scout Scholarships - $4,000

E. Jane Hazlewood Leadership Scholarship

Hannah Roberts

Sharon Younger Leadership Scholarship

Samantha Hansel

The Girl Scout Gold Award opens many doors for its recipients, especially around college application time! Earning your Gold Award is an excellent way to give any college or scholarship application that “something extra” to help you stand out from the crowd.

All Gold Award Girl Scouts are eligible to apply for one of GSHS’ one-time Gold Award scholarships of $1,000 based on achievement in Girl Scouting, academics, leadership, and extracurricular activities. All graduating Girl Scout Ambassadors living in specific counties of West Tennessee qualify to apply for the West Tennessee Girl Scout Scholarship. This scholarship is a $4,000 award distributed at $500 a semester. Applications and additional information regarding these local council scholarship programs can be found on our website at www.girlscoutshs.org/scholarships

Many local colleges and universities also offer scholarships specifically for Gold Award recipients. Earning your Gold Award can also help you qualify for the many leadership scholarships that are offered at your college or university of choice. Girl Scouts of the USA has compiled a list of colleges, universities, foundations, and Girl Scout councils that offer Gold Award scholarships, awards, and grants. View the list at www.girlscouts.org/en/our-program/scholarships.html

2022-2023 10-Year

Membership Pin Recipients

TaNiyah Bailey

Morgaan Butler

Calise Conner

Ramyla Dahmer

Lauren Demery

2023

Scout Cookie Booths. They painted colorful designs on the garbage cans to beautify the space.

Troops 30302

Clarksdale, MS

Lorelei Johnson Paelyn Simmons

Slowing Down Traffic Near Our Schools

Troops 40099

Jackson, TN

Lauryn Butler

Rylee Chism

Izabella Osisioma

KéNiyah Williams

Operation iSuites

Kyla Echols

Loralei Forgette

Lauren Hobson

Preauna Richardson

Alexandria Thomas

Piper Yarbrough

Lorelei and Paelyn decided that the speeding near their school and two neighboring schools was an issue they could and should address. They conducted phone interviews with principals, teachers, and students at the schools, as well as some residents in the neighborhoods. The interviews confirmed that speeding was a problem that others were concerned about, and they got helpful suggestions for solutions. They drove around the community and noticed that many schools had school zone signs lowering the speed limit when children are present. They researched the Mississippi code and discovered that the Mayor and City Council could approve new signage for school zones. The girls presented the issue to the Mayor and Board of Commissioners to formally request that 3 school zone signs be installed and were successful in their efforts along with additional speed bumps being added in the neighborhood.

After completing the “It’s Your Planet, Love It!” Journey, the girls of Troop 40099 decided they wanted to help animals. After visiting Liberty Garden Park and Arboretum in Jackson, TN, the girls decided to replace and add birdhouses in the park. Salvage wood was collected from the Jackson Development Company. Mr. Wade Powell cut the wood for the birdhouses and the girls had a safety briefing prior to each build session. Colors were chosen for painting. Approval from Mr. Tony Black was granted, and the girls placed birdhouses at Liberty Garden Park and Arboretum.

Troops 43045

Munford, TN

Kaitlyn Crocker

Lyla DeWitt

Katie Henson

Edy Phillips

Sophia Yarbro

Walker Park Walking Trail Signs

The girls worked with the Town of Atoka to update and install new signs for the walking trail at Walker Park. They also painted and hid rocks to put smiles on peoples' faces!

Dianne Belk Gold Award Scholarship Recipient

Catherine Grisham

2022 – 2023 Top Product

Sellers

2022 Fall Product Program Top Five Sellers

1st Place ~ Genesis Bonner

Troop 13137 - $4,378 in sales

2nd Place ~ Ariel Jackson

Troop 33150 - $3,620 in sales

3rd Place ~ Cykiah House

Troop 30092 - $3,127 in sales

4th Place ~ Jenna Riggle

Troop 20072 - $3,090 in sales

5th Place ~ Ava Jones

Troop 20130 - $2,701 in sales

2023 Cookie Program Top Five Sellers

1st Place ~ Micahya Brown

Troop 10121 – 7,052 boxes

2nd Place ~ Emily Duncan

Troop 13922 – 6,408 boxes

3rd Place ~ Madison Baker

Troop 13922 – 5,948 boxes

4th Place ~ Alanna Alston

Troop 11231A – 5,136 boxes

5th Place ~ Jasmine Tolbert

Troop 10339C8 - 5,075 boxes

1st Place Cookie Seller Micahya Brown

3rd Place Cookie Seller Madison Baker

5th Place Cookie Seller Jasmine Tolbert

Presented by our amazing partners at AutoZone, Totally Trefoil (formerly the GIRL Event) welcomes hundreds of girls of all ages from all over our council area - Girl Scouts and non-Girl Scouts alike! This come-and-go, expo-style event is chock full of exciting activities staged by our amazing partner organizations, including many badge work opportunities for Daisies through Senior Girl Scouts!

Held on August 5, 2023 at the Landers Center in Southaven, MS, Totally Trefoil 2023 was truly something special! Girls got the opportunity to learn about cars and car safety from the women of AutoZone. Our friends at DHL were on hand again this year to teach girls all about robots and how they help make sure products get from place to place. The University of Mississippi brought its amazing Mobile Planetarium so girls could see the moon, stars and planets right there at Totally Trefoil!

Outside, volunteers from the Metal Museum showed girls how to melt metal and create unique works of art using Orbees. Friends from the University of Memphis brought their amazing Water Trailer to help girls learn all about our area's unique aquifer and how it works to keep our water clean and tasty! Our new Toyota MS Mobile STEAM Lab was also on hand to provide amazing virtual reality fun for the girls. And these are just some of the almost 40 unique experiences girls could enjoy throughout the day at this year's event!

Just look at all of these fantastic, smiling faces! Everyone who came out for this exciting day had an amazing time! We can't wait to see YOU and your smiling face back at the Landers Center for Totally Trefoil 2024 scheduled for September 14, 2024! ,

Meet Maicee and Zoey - participants in one of GSHS' North Mississippi-area Community Troops. Through your support, Girl Scouts Heart of the South has been able to expand our Community Troops program to bring the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to more girls across our region as part of their regular school day. With your continued support, our Community Troops program can continue to grow throughout our 59-county jurisdiction to reach even more amazing girls who otherwise might not have access to Girl Scouts' life-changing programming. Thank you for your support.

Change a Girl. Change the World.

At Girl Scouts, we’re all about practicing everyday leadership and preparing girls to empower themselves, because girls who lead the Girl Scout way are more likely to reach their full potential.

Girl Scouts doesn’t empower girls— by providing positive role models and mentors for girls of all ages, Girl Scouts prepares girls with the skills and experiences they need to empower themselves for life.

Girl Scouts’ mission is to build girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. Through your continued support, Girl Scouts Heart of the South strives to do just that, right here in our area, where girls need us most.

In their most recent The State of Girls report, the esteemed Girl Scout Research Institute released some shocking findings. The State of Girls is a first-of-its-kind research report by the Girl Scout Research Institute that focuses on girls’ health and well-being in the United States. The most recent data from The State of Girls shows that economic conditions affecting girls in the United States have not recovered from the Great Recession that began in late 2007. In fact, they had worsened even prior to the COVID pandemic which exacerbated the situation even more. More girls are living in poverty and low-income households today than ten years ago. And the report found that 30% of school-aged girls in Mississippi are living in poverty - the highest percentage in the nation - with Tennessee and Arkansas girls not far behind.

Now and even prior to the pandemic, girls in our area fare among the worst in the nation in areas of well-being such as physical health and safety, economic well-being, emotional health, and participation in extra-curricular activities. These are key social, economic, and health issues that affect all girls, and are areas that Girl Scouts seeks to directly address by becoming a positive force for change in girls’ lives.

As the premier leadership organization for girls, Girl Scouts is committed to ensuring that all girls develop to their fullest potential. And we at Heart of the South are committed to helping solve these troubling issues, but we need your support. For the cost of just one fast food lunch or a specialty coffee each month, you can change the life of a girl today so she can change her community tomorrow.

Help us provide the Girl Scout Leadership Experience – and be an instrumental agent of change - to all girls in our area.

To donate, visit our website – www.girlscoutshs.org - or complete the information on the attached envelope and return it with your donation to Girl Scouts Heart of the South. It’s that easy to help us prepare girls for the future and truly change their lives.

Thank you for your continued support of Girl Scouts and Girl Scouts Heart of the South.

Change a Girl, and you will Change the World!

MOBILE STEAM LAB

Girl Scouts Heart of the South is excited to unveil the Toyota MS Mobile STEAM Lab! Through a generous donation from Toytoa MS, Girl Scouts Heart of the South is now able to go on the road to bring a unique experience surrounding Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math into our communities.

With the new Toyota MS Mobile STEAM Lab, girls will be able to experience the world around them through our VR (Virtual Reality) Classroom by "touring" the Lovre in Paris, "swimming" with sharks in the Keys or "flying" through the inner-workings of a beehive! The Mobile STEAM Lab also offers girls the opportunity to engage in chemistry experiments, art lessons, and even design a roller coaster!

Additionally, the Mobile STEAM lab boasts two coding stations where girls can learn the skill of computer coding and program a robot arm to sort their favorite flavor of Girl Scout Cookies. Other fun activities include building a drone, programming dash-and-dot robots, and creating on the 3D printer.

The best part is the Toyota MS Mobile STEAM Lab is "on the go" - ready to help Girl Scouts everywhere lead the way in the future of STEAM!

If you have questions about the Toyota MS Mobile STEAM Lab or would like to know more, please visit our website at www.girlscoutshs.org. ,

GSHS Chief Girl Experience Officer Myra Collins shows off the new Toyota MS Mobile STEAM Lab trailer at Totally Trefoil 2023.

The new Toyota MS Mobile STEAM Lab Highlander and trailer.

Toyota MS Mobile STEAM Lab trailer interior - iPad Station.

Toyota MS Mobile STEAM Lab trailer interior - VR Headset Station.

Toyota MS Mobile STEAM Lab trailer interior.

Members of GSHS' Program Team unpack the Toyota MS Mobile STEAM Lab trailer to present fun and educational programming on-site at a local school.

Girls learn about robots and coding through on-site Toyota MS Mobile STEAM Lab programming.

Mississippi area Girl Scouts join GSHS Staff and Toyota MS representatives for the unveiling of the new Toyota MS Mobile STEAM Lab.

Girls learn about fun chemical reactions through on-site Toyota MS Mobile STEAM Lab programming.

GIRL SCOUTS

FALL ProDucT prog ram ! 2023

Interested in participating?

Contact your Troop Leader, Service Unit Coordinator, or email the Council at info@girlscoutshs.org.

NE W!

Participate & Earn MORE Cookie Proceeds!

When you participate in the Fall Product Program, your troop can earn $0.01 more per box in the 2024 Cookie Program!

See the 2023 Fall Product Troop Guide for additional information.

I MPORTA NT D ATE S

Sat., Sept. 9th

Fri., Oct. 13th

Tues., Oct. 17th

Thurs.-Sat., Nov. 9th-11th

Fri., Nov. 24th

Wed., Nov. 29th

NE W PROD UC T S !

Cheddar Caramel Crunch

Cheese crackers, cheddar corn sticks, caramel cheddar puffs & mini pretzels.

Thai Chili Mix

Sweet Thai Chili almonds, rice crackers, wasabi peas, sesame sticks, garlic bread sticks & sriracha corn nuggets.

Girls begin taking orders in person & online.

Girls submit orders to troop or online.

Last day for online girl-delivered orders.

Service Unit Nut & Candy delivery.

Digital Day

Final day for online sales.

Tervis® Tumblers

Tervis® insulated tumblers and water bottles, ranging from top sellers to your favorite MLB®, NFL®, and collegiate sports teams and more. All items will be shipped directly to customers.

BarkBox

Each box comes with a

Pose & Play Beret dog

and a

and

Cookies are coming soon! Cookies are coming soon! ...and Get ready! ...and Get ready!

Qualifying merchandise includes GS Handbook or Journey Books, Badge Requirements, Girl Scout Uniform Components, and GS Required Insignia.

Wear Your "Girl Scout Gear" to School Day - Fall 2023

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Show your Girl Scout Pride by wearing your Girl Scout Uniform (or other Girl Scout-themed apparel) to school on this day and receive a FREE fun patch!

Girl Scout-themed apparel will be accepted, however, this is a GREAT day to wear your full Girl Scout uniform to proudly show all your badges and awards, and share all the fun you’re having in Girl Scouts with your school friends!

Steps 1-3 below are REQUIRED in order to receive the fun patch:

1. Wear your uniform (vest, sash, tunic with insignia) or other Girl Scout gear (t-shirts, sweatshirts, etc.) to school on Tuesday, October 17th, 2023. Full uniforms are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED!

2. Snap a picture of yourself in your Girl Scout "gear" at the bus stop, car line, in the lobby, hallway or classroom of your schoolwherever - as long as it is very clear that you are at school or are in the bus line.

3. Have a parent/guardian submit online by filling out the form found at this link: https://bit.ly/45SPm42 (uploading the picture is required) by Thursday, October 19th at 11:45 p.m.

4. Just for fun - NOT REQUIRED: Post your adorable picture on the designated post thread on our GSHS Facebook page. This thread will open at 7:00 AM on Tuesday, October 17th.

See the September '23 or October '23 issue of Heartstrings or Council Connect for more information!

We can't wait to see your smiling faces all dressed up in your Girl Scout Best!

So much more than cookies! With help from members of Rhodes College Kappa Delta, members of Troop 50611 from Keystone Elementary hosted a Cookie Booth on the Rhodes campus and got a chance to not only sell cookies but also learn more about college life!

Tasty Treats Foster Financial Savvy

The world’s current economic challenges have made one thing clear: Financial literacy skills matter now more than ever. To be successful, financial education must begin early, continue throughout elementary and secondary education, and be relevant.

Financial literacy has always been an integral part of Girl Scout programming and activities. Our financial empowerment program developed for grades K-12 is designed to foster economic responsibility and leadership in girls. We offer all girls the opportunity to build their business savvy and hone their financial literacy skills.

The Girl Scout Cookie Program is often a girl’s first introduction to business planning and entrepreneurship.

The 800-million-dollar Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led business in the country and generates immeasurable benefits for girls, their councils and communities nationwide.

Through the Cookie Program, girls develop five lifelong financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills: goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics. When a girl has learned these skills, she is equipped with the basics necessary to be financially savvy now and for the rest of her life.

Girls are quite clear that they want and need financial literacy skills to help them achieve their dreams. A higher percentage of girls are attending college and must find ways to underwrite their college eduction. Additionally, most women live longer and earn less than men and are responsible for their own financial self-sufficiency at some point in their lives.

Let’s make sure this generation of girls is financially empowered and independent!

Leaders and Parents: Make sure your girls participate in both the Cookie Sale and the Fall Product Sale each year. Not only will their involvement help to fund their troop’s activities but - more importantly - you will be giving them vital financial experience that they cannot get anywhere else but in Girl Scouts!

And to the wider world, when you see a smiling Girl Scout out there asking if you would like to buy some Thin Mints or a box of our signature Trefoils, remember, she’s not just selling cookies, she’s gaining skills to last a lifetime! ,

Congratulations to former GSHS Board Chair and current GSHS Board Member Rosemarie Fair who was recently honored for her years of service on the Board of the Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis!

Rosemarie has served on the Women's Foundation Board since 2010 and has held many positions of leadership during her tenure. She served as the Board Co-Chair from 2019-2021 and as the inaugural Legends Award Committee Co-Chair, Grants and Programs Chair, and on the Finance Committee. Rosemarie has made lifelong friends with the many connections she has made while on the board - especially the special bond with Nisha Powers - her Board Co-Chair.

Over the years, she has invested countless hours to lead the organization’s numerous site visits and lent her creativity to design beautiful baskets to donate to the Power of the Purse Auction. She has empowered fellow WFGM board members and grantee partners to work collaboratively to serve our community. She has definitely lived out the Girl Scout directive to "Leave a place better than you found it," with her years of service to the Women's Foundation. Congratulations, Rosemarie, and thank you for your lifetime of service to the girls and women of the MidSouth! ,

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Presenting Sponsor

Volunteer of Excellence AWARD

Jean Ann McBride

Keisha Walker

Harli Julian

Lavetha Banks

Teri Vogler

Deborah Harris

Linda Harris

Nikki Smith

Appreciation Pin

Cindy Curler

Jessica Taylor

Reatha Clark

Honor Pin

Ruth Mann

Janessa Braswell

2022-2023 GSHS Awards

GSHS PRODUCT PROGRAM AWARDS

Fall Product Program Awards

Highest Per Girl Average – Service Unit Level

SU 176 ~ Shelby North

Highest Sales Increase – Service Unit Level

SU 330 ~ MS South West

Highest Online Sales – Service Unit Level

SU 172 ~ Bartlett

Highest Online Sales – Troop Level

Troop 13193 ~ SU 172 Bartlett

Fall Product Program Troop-to-Troop

Troop 13193 ~ SU 172 Bartlett

NEW COMMUNITY PARTNER AWARD

Germantown Community Theater

Mississippi State University Extension Center

Memphis Police Department

ONE HEART AWARD

Love Mason ~ SU 238 Pontotoc

Kathy Marsh ~ SU 181 Stateline MS

RISING STAR OF THE YEAR - troop LEVEL

Ashley Lawrence ~ Troop 40151

SU 421 TN North Central

Kimberly Marr ~ Troop 40321

SU 425 TN North East

Lori Rutherford ~ Troop 40385

SU 426 TN East Central

Serenate Hines ~ Troop 40072

SU 428 McNairy/Hardin

Lilly Saint ~ Troop 10238

SU 174 Germantown

DISTINGUISHED LEADER - troop LEVEL

Karlescia Brookins

Stacy Harrell

Barbara Drennah

Jamie Briggs

Andrea Crum

Megan Gaylord

Brooke Yearwood

Marcy Webb

Nicole Malhar

Jamie Hefner

DISTINGUISHED LEADER - SERVICE UNIT LEVEL

Tammy Long

Regina Cheers

Lacy Dodds

Heather Henson

Juanita Valentine

Girl Scout cookie Program Awards

Highest Per Girl Average – Service Unit Level

SU 179 ~ Crit-Ark

Highest Sales Increase – Service Unit Level

SU 330 ~ MS South West

Highest Digital Cookie Sales – Service Unit Level

SU 178 ~ East Memphis

Highest Digital Cookie Sales – Troop Level

Troop 13657 ~ SU 179 Crit-Ark

Cookie Program Troop-to-Troop

Troop 10276 ~ SU 178 East Memphis

RETENTION AWARD - SU LEVEL

SU 235 ~ Benton/Tippah

growth AWARD - SU LEVEL

SU 174 ~ Germantown

GROWTH AWARD - TROOP LEVEL

Troop 33150 ~ SU 329 Leflore

Deborah Harris, Leader

RISING STAR OF THE YEAR - SU LEVEL

Crystal Bigham ~ SU 239 Lee

Julia Underwood ~ SU 174 Germantown

Kyra Turner ~ SU 172 Bartlett

SERVICE UNIT OF THE YEAR

SU 174 ~ Germantown

Sally Gillium, Tina Thorn, Michelle Midha, Leaders

TROOP

OF THE YEAR

Troop 210381 ~ SU 239 Lee

Crystal Bigham & Jessica Stevens, Leaders

Troop 40037 ~ SU 423 TN West Central

Crystal Climer, Elizabeth Climer, Valauri Hardin, Lauren Petersen & Brooke Yearwood, Leaders

2023 Girl Scout National Council Session & Phenom By Girl Scouts

The 2023 Girl Scout National Council Session (Girl Scout National Convention) took place July 18-20 at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. GSHS CEO Venus Chaney, Board Chair Lori Patton, 1st Vice Chair Sharon Younger, and girl delegates Micahya Brown, Morgaan Butler and Tess Hinkle joined the over 900 delegates in attendance. Together, they elected a new National Board, including new National President Noorain F. Khan, engaged in breakout discussions about governance topics, and respectfully debated and voted on important issues.

Our three girl delegates, who had applied to be chosen and were elected at the 2022 GSHS Annual Meeting, were each impacted greatly by their experience. Micahya Brown said, “The Girl Scout convention...was such a great experience. Meeting and networking with thousands of girls with the same drive and ambition I have made me so happy to have this opportunity. Hearing Girl Scouts younger and older than me create an argument, have evidence, and have such articulate speaking when talking just amazed me!"

Tess Hinkle stated, “The National Council Session was an inspirational event with like-minded girls. I was able to gain new friends and connections across the nation. The GSUSA staff greatly encouraged me to continue my participation in Girl Scouts when I bridge to Adult. I have also become more of an advocate for those at my school due to the experience of NCS.”

When asked her thoughts about the event, Morgaan Butler said, "Girl Scout Convention was such a great opportunity. I got to see girls from across the world speak their opinion on the future of Girl Scouts. Having a chance to create a longtime bond and connect with Girl Scouts from everywhere was so nice. Getting inspired by the guest speakers, hearing The Orange County Girl Scout Choir sing, and spending time with our CEO and the co-delegates was so fun. Not only did I have fun, I learned so much from the breakout rooms and workshops!" All of our delegates raved about how much they loved getting to take part in the event, and they all encouraged other girls interested in applying to be delegates for the 2026 NCS to definitely do so!

After the conclusion of NCS, several more of our own GSHS girls and leaders came to take part in fun and enriching programs, make new friends, and attend special performances and celebrations at Phenom By Girl Scouts. It was Phenom-enal!

The convention and Phenom By Girl Scouts united thousands of Girl Scouts, volunteers, and supporters with a shared goal of supporting young women to be bold, brave, and unapologetically themselves. Everyone in attendance was reminded of the incredible potential within every one of us and we can’t wait to get together again for our 57th National Council Session in 2026! ,

pictured L-R: GSHS CEO Venus Chaney, Tess Hinkle, Morgaan Butler, Micahya Brown, GSHS Board Chair Lori Patton

above & below right: Girl Scouts and Troop Leaders from across our council area joined in the fun by traveling wtih GSHS to participate in the Phenom By Girl Scouts event and enjoy Disney World, too!

Our girl delegates, CEO and GSHS Operations and Governance Manager Elizabeth Roper, join the crowd at 2023 NCS!

pictured L-R: GSHS CEO Venus Chaney, Board Chair Lori Patton, and 1st Vice Chair Sharon Younger ▲

Girl Scouts Heart of the South believes that it’s important to continually cultivate and nurture our leadership skills — within our homes, our offices, our organizations and in our social circles.

The Spring 2024 Let’s Lead Cohort will meet to discuss new perspectives on a variety of topics aimed to help you become your best self and lead in every aspect of your life!

Inspiring guest speakers from across our area will take you through this amazing journey of self-discovery and actualization! Don't miss your chance to be part of this unique experience that only happens every other year!

Where?

The Possibility Place at the Memphis Leadership Center 825 Valleybrook Dr. Memphis, TN 38120

When?

Dates for the Spring 2024 Cohort will be announced in November. Stay tuned to Heartstrings and Council Connect for more information and to register!

To be a successful leader, you must know yourself first. Learn to identify your personal strengths and weaknesses and how to improve both.

Now that you've come to know yourself, learn the importance of and how to present your best self at all times.

The Let’s Lead experience is FREE for all currently registered GSHS volunteers and is $50 for all non-GS-member female adults.

The Let’s Lead experience is valuable for ALL adult women, not just Girl Scout leaders. So tell your friends, and Let’s Lead TOGETHER!

Successful leaders – and people – always show respect for others. Learn to recognize and overcome biases and learn unique and creative ways to motivate and influence your team!

Learn effective communication and relationship-building skills. Practice honing written and verbal skills and engage in conflict-resolution exercises designed to bolster confidence and increase team productivity and harmony.

Find balance within family, work, and volunteer responsibilities and learn useful time management tips and tricks to help you succeed in all areas of your life.

Participants in the Spring 2022 Let's Lead Cohort

A Message from our GSHS Board Chair

Courage, Confidence, Character. Aspirational Attributes for us All.

Courage, confidence, and character - “The 3 C’s” - these qualities are the heart of Girl Scouts’ mission. As members, volunteers, GSHS staff and board members, we use these words every day to describe what Girl Scouts does for girls, but we don't often take the time to think about what these characteristics really mean.

Courage: The quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.*

Confidence: Belief in oneself and one’s powers or abilities; self-confidence; self-reliance; assurance.*

Character: Qualities of honesty, moral excellence, or the like; integrity.*

In really looking at these definitions, I think we can all agree that each and every one of us could do no better than to become people of courage, confidence, and character. If everyone embodied these three traits, the world would definitely be a better place! Thinking about the true meaning of our mission inspires me even more to want to do whatever I can to ensure that every girl, everywhere, gets to share in the Girl Scout experience!

It takes people of courage, confidence, and character, to pitch in and make the world a better place. If you believe in “The 3 C’s” and feel called to make a difference in a young girl’s life, I encourage you to join us in the exciting future that is Girl Scouts Heart of the South! Not able to volunteer? You can still help Girl Scouts Heart of the South fulfill our mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place through your financial support. With your help, we can continue to provide these experiences of a lifetime to so many more girls in our area.

By making a difference in the life of a girl, Girl Scouts makes a difference in the world. Each and every girl can be an agent of change, and as volunteers or Girl Scout supporters, we help make that change happen. If you would like more information on how you can volunteer, how you can help financially, or other ways you or your organization can get involved with Girl Scouts, please call Girl Scouts Heart of the South at (800) 624-4185.

Thanks and best wishes,

LORI PATTON | 2023-2024 Board Chair

Girl Scouts Heart of the South

Troop Tales

▲ above: Girls from Troop 13007 in Covington, TN delivered cookies to their local police department and government officials to thank them for their tireless service to their community! Excellent job! Thanks, Girls!

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▲ above and left: East Memphis Service Unit 178 hosted an amazing World Thinking Day Tea and symposium to celebrate World Thinking Day 2023 centered around the theme "Our Planet, Our Peaceful Future." World Thinking Day 2024 will be celebrated on Thursday, February 22 and will explore the theme of "Our World, Our Thriving Future: The Environment and Global Poverty." Learn more about how your troop or Service Unit can participate by visiting girlscouts.org/worldthinkingday.

◀ left: Junior Girl Scout Troop 10945 visited the Germantown Police Department and learned about local law enforcement, first aid skills, and about personal safety by being careful and mindful of their surroundings.

▼below: Members of Troop 13142 delivered cookies to their local fire station. Thanks for recognizing and bringing a smile to the faces of these oh-sodeserving First Responders! Great job, Girls!

5 Ways Girl Scouts Builds Girls of Courage, Confidence, and Character

Girl Scouts’ mission is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Since 1912, girls have explored new fields of knowledge, learned valuable skills, and developed strong core values through Girl Scouts. Today Girl Scouts is, as it always has been, the organization best positioned to help girls develop the important 21st Century skills they need to become successful adults.

At Girl Scouts, guided by supportive adults and peers, girls develop their leadership potential through ageappropriate activities that enable them to discover their values, skills, and the world around them; connect with others in a multicultural environment; and take action to make a difference in their world. These activities are designed to be girl-led, cooperative, and handson processes that create high-quality experiences conducive to learning. Studies show that the development of attitudes, behaviors, and skills, like confidence, conflict resolution, and problem solving, are critical to wellbeing and rival academic and technical skills in their capacity to predict longterm positive life outcomes.

CHALLENGE SEEKING

Girls take appropriate risks, try things even if they might fail, and learn from mistakes.

STRONG SENSE OF SELF

Girls have confidence in themselves and their abilities, and form positive identities.

POSITIVE VALUES

Girls act ethically, honestly, and responsibly, and show concern for others.

HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

Girls develop and maintain healthy relationships by communicating their feelings and resolving conflicts constructively.

COMMUNITY PROBLEM SOLVING

Girls desire to contribute to the world in purposeful and meaningful ways, learn how to identify problems in the community, and create “action plans” to solve them.

We want you to brag about your girl! Tell us how she discovered something new, persisted through a challenge, made a positive choice (especially if it wasn’t an easy choice), or was proud of herself. Email us and share your daughter’s Girl Scout moments at news@girlscoutshs.org

⏶ above: 2022 Top Cookie Sellers were treated to a relaxing - and crazy fun - afternoon of Goat Yoga! Bad weather ended up pushing their activity back from its originally scheduled early summer '22 date to later in the fall, but it ended up being an amazing afternoon to learn some Yoga poses and meditate - with super-cute, baby goats!

▼ below: 2023 Top Cookie Sellers got to flex their ice skating skills (or learn some new ones) at the Memphis Ice House!

▲ above: Our council-sponsored event at Go Ape at Shelby Farms was one of our most wellattended events of MY23! Who knew throwing an ax could be so fun! Be careful out there, Girls!

Join me in Girl Scouts!

I love being a Girl Scout, and I think you would too!

When you join Girl Scouts, we get to lead your own adventure and team up with other girls to choose the exciting, hands-on activities that interest us the most.

We’ll be earning badges, finding our voices, and giving back to our community, all in a fun, all-girl, girl-led, and girl-friendly environment! Sounds pretty awesome, right?

Join me at my next troop meeting to check out all the fun you’ll have in Girl Scouts.

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