October 8, 2024
Welcome to Success to Significance 2024
We feel privileged to have you as our guest and a friend of Girl Scouts. Your attendance and support of this event provides leadership experiences for girls in our community. These life-changing experiences help girls in the community try new things in a safe environment, discover a passion for science and math, or simply make friends for a lifetime. Thank you for your support and commitment to girls.
Co-Chairs:
Kirsten Davenport
Mel Underhill
Host Committee
Erin Abbey
Jigna Bhakta
Anna Charlton
Tina Chen
Ellen Chin
Lisa Darling
Ann Deaton
Ellen DeSanctis
Molly Determan
Shelly deZevallos
Samina Farid
Akilla Hameed
Lisa Ann Hofmann
Leslie Hollingsworth
C. Susan Howes
Sue Kean
Candice Koederitz
Cassandra McZeal
Cassandra Mott
Shauna Noonan
Tracey Prince
Mary Ryder
Kathy Sanders
Sally Anne Schmidt
Maggie Sheridan
Stephanie Tsuru
Sara DeJay Willis
Sasha Willis
Kimberly Wilson
Cathy Wining-Thomas
Sharon Yacob
Success to Significance Luncheon
Flag Ceremony and Invocation
Promise and Law
Welcome
Kirsten Davenport
2024 Event Co-Chair
Mel Underhill
2024 Event Co-Chair
Lunch
Special Remarks
Betsy Kamin
President of the Council and Chair of the Board
Mary Vitek
Council Chief Executive Officer
Keynote Presentation
Karen Walrond
Girl Scout Panel
Remarks and Raffle Announcement
Mary Vitek, Kirsten Davenport, and Mel Underhill
Closing Betsy Kamin
Karen, a Houstonian and Girl Scout mom, authored Radiant Rebellion, where she investigates how we can resist ageism and live a gratifying, meaningful life along the way. Her earlier work, The Lightmaker’s Manifesto, beckons readers toward lives of integrity, advocacy, conviction, and joy.
A panel of Girl Scouts will join Karen to share how they are making the world a better place!
Salad of blood orange, pine nuts, and pomegranate with mixed winter greens, pepper crusted goat cheese, and a blood orange vinaigrette
Grilled chili lime chicken breast with a savory corn pudding, tart apple tomatillo slaw, and grilled vegetables
Apple clafoutis with raspberry coulis OR
Pumpkin cognac cheesecake with vanilla cream
Special thanks to our 2024 event sponsors and donors:
Presenting Sponsor
Legacy Sponsor
Higher Award Spotlight Sponsor
STEM Sponsor
Mental Health Sponsor
Parking Sponsor
J O H N P. Mc GOVE R N FO UND ATIO N
Courage Sponsor
Life Skills Sponsor
Confidence Sponsors
BlankRome LLP l Bristow Group Incorporated l Giovanna Carter l Charlton and Diaz Families l Shauna Noonan and OXY l Shell Energy Solutions l Maggie Sheridan and BP l SheSpace l TAM International l
Texas Children’s Hospital l Cathy Wining-Thomas and Jim Thomas
Character Sponsors
Erin Abbey and Deloitte l Amegy Bank l ArtAttack l Ashdon Farms l Bank of Texas l Beacon Financial Planning l Cadence Insurance, a Gallagher Company and Central Insurance l Chord Energy l Davenport Law Firm PC l Ann Deaton l Ellen DeSanctis l Shelly deZevallos l
Samina Farid and Martha Gurwit l The Friedkin Group l Jane Gasdaska l Gensler l Akilla Hameed and Sharon Yacob l MeiPo Ho l C. Susan Howes l Corrie Jenkins and Genevieve Walls l Sandy Judson l Betsy Kamin l
Sue Kean and Cassandra McZeal l Candice Koederitz l Ana and Ashley Kopf l KPMG LLP l Kroger l Bob and Elizabeth Phillips l Michelle Phillips l Phillips 66 l Tracey Prince l Mary Ryder and Amanda Vavilala and Rick Morales l Kathy Sanders l Sally Anne Schmidt l Sempra Infrastructure l Brenda Schroeder and Carolyn Colias l Vanessa Skrabanek l Stellar Bank l Kathy Tamer l Melinda and Lee Underhill l Vinson & Elkins
LLP l Mary and Mike Vitek l Sara DeJay Willis and Alliance Bernstein l Women Executives of Houston
Friends of Girl Scouting
Dorothy Ables l Ellen Chin l Cotton Club Collection l Hilton Americas Houston l Lisa Ann Hofmann l Hotel ZaZa l Houston Astros Foundation l il Bracco and Balboa Surf Club l Thomas Jackson l
James Coney Island l Sue Kean and Grady Walker l Kolache Factory l Laurenzo’s El Tiempo Cantina l Nina McLemore l Michael Martinez Fine Portraits l Dorothy Paterson l Pure Barre l Rebecca Lankford Designs l River Oaks Chamber Orchestra l Rumble – Sugar Land l San Luis Resort l Southwest Airlines l Sweetwater Country Club l Martha Taylor l The Houstonian Hotel, Club, & Spa l The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston l The Nice Winery l 13 Celsius l Hilary Tyson l Ulka Rocks l Kimberly Wilson As of 9/26/24
We believe in service above all
At NOV, we are passionate about creating a lasting impact in the communities where we live and work. We partner with programs such as the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council and thank them for advancing the social wellbeing of children.
The Girl Scout Gold Award
The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest achievement in Girl Scouts. Open only to girls in high school, it is the most prestigious award in the world for girls, and the most difficult to earn. And it’s only available to Girl Scouts.
Gold Award Girl Scouts are challenged to make a sustainable change in their community. These young women are inspiring leaders whose Gold Award projects are impacting the worlds of STEM, education, agriculture, medicine and more on a local, national or global level.
By the time a girl puts the final touches on her seven-step sustainable project, she will have solved a community problem and she’ll be eligible for college scholarships.
Learn more about the Gold Award at www.gssjc.org/goldawardgirlscout.
Thank You, Troop Leaders!
Girl Scout troop leaders are everyday heroes with an extraordinary super power: they prepare girls for a lifetime of leadership, success and adventure. Because of them, every girl has the opportunity to learn what she’s capable of accomplishing and reach for the stars. And with their mentorship and support, girls grow into the leaders and change-makers the world needs. Being a Girl Scout volunteer is one of the most powerful, rewarding journeys our leaders will ever embark on.
We celebrate the meaningful and inspiring contributions our volunteers make all year long. Without their unwavering commitment, there would be no Girl Scouting.
Our troop leaders are the reason we can make a difference, and we’re forever grateful for all they give to girls and Girl Scouting!
Facts about Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council
Girls love Girl Scouts because THEY call the shots and make things happen. If she can dream it, we’ll help her do it. At Girl Scouts, she’ll become her best, most resilient self—ready to take on the world in her own unique way. Whether that means leading a troop meeting or leading the charge in cleaning up a park. The experiences girls have with us will empower girls to explore new interests, discover new skills and make the world a better place. Join us and watch your girl shine.
Our program centers on the Girl Scout Leadership Experience - a collection of activities and experiences that girls have as they earn badges, sell cookies, go on exciting trips, explore the outdoors, work on service projects that make a difference in the community and so much more.
Through programs that focus on entrepreneurship, the outdoors, life skills and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), Girl Scouting helps girls:
• Discover who they are, what they care about and what their talents are
• Connect with other people to make a difference in the world
• Take Action to make the world a better place
Who We Serve
This year, we helped nearly 40,000 girls across southeast Texas thrive at home, at school and in their communities thanks to the support of nearly 17,000 volunteers.
Approximately one third of our girl members participate through our community outreach programs.
Membership is open to all girls in kindergarten through 12th grade and adults - both women and men - who subscribe to the Girl Scout Promise and Law and embrace the Council’s DEIB Statement.
Girls can participate:
• In a troop
• Individually
• Through special interest groups
• Through programs and special events
• By going to camp FOUNDED
by Juliette Gordon Low
Girl Scout Ambassador 11th - 12th grade
Girl Scout Senior
9th - 10th grade
Girl Scout Cadette
6th - 8th grade
Girl Scout Junior
4th - 5th grade
Girl Scout Brownie
2nd - 3rd grade
Girl Scout Daisy
Kindergarten - 1st grade
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 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.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Statement
Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council fosters belonging and respect for all girls. We empower all girls, volunteers and staff to fulfill their potential and make the world a better place. Our Girl Scout Promise drives us to provide diverse, equitable and inclusive experiences where all girls, volunteers and staff are confident they belong. We stand firm in these commitments and united by these ideals.
by Mrs. F. M. Law and Miss Corinne Fonde
The Girl Scout Mission
Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place.
Board of Directors
Officers
President of the Council and Chair of the Board: Elizabeth Bonvillain Kamin
Vice Chairs: Jane K. Gasdaska and Melinda Underhill
Secretary: Suzanne Kean
Treasurer: James Lewis
Members-At-Large
Erin Abbey
Leah Bennett, CFA
Jigna Bhakta
Giovanna Carollo Carter
Lorena Cavazos
Ellen Chin
Carvana Cloud
Ann Deaton
Shelly deZevallos, Ed.D.
Samina Farid
MeiPo Ho
C. Susan Howes
Audrey Ogawa Johnson
Candice Koederitz
Ana Moreno Kopf
Thomas McGee
Judy Moses
Cassandra Mott
Anne E. Neeson
Shauna Noonan
Kelly Oden-Prasser
Tracey A. Prince
Holden Rushing
Kathryn Sanders
Martha Taylor
Amanda Vavilala
Sara DeJay Willis
Mary Zappone
Board Member Emeritus E.C. “Bud” Simpson