On April 22nd Thank Your Leader!

April 20th, 2012

Girl Scout Volunteer Recognition Week is April 18-23 and we would like to say a big THANK YOU to all of GSSoAZ volunteers.

No matter how you’re involved- on an ongoing basis as a troop leader, taking girls on a weekend travel trip, sharing your skills- Girl Scout volunteers are part of a family of more than 1 million Girl Scout volunteers who make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of young girls.

Leader’s Day on April 22nd is a special day that honors all the volunteers who work as leaders and mentors in partnership with girls. Girls, their families, and communities should find a special way to thank their adult Girl Scout volunteers and  let them know they are appreciated. The gesture doesn’t have to be big- it can be as simple as a letter signed by you! Remember, it’s the thought that counts!

Ways to Say Thank you

  • Simply smile and say thanks!
  • Make a home-made thank you card
  • Be green and send a thank you e-card
  • Give a bouquet of daisies
  • Send balloons
  • Do a random act of kindness for your leader
  • Sit in a circle and have each member share “I’m happy you’re my Leader because…”
  • Call a radio station and have a song dedicated to your Leader
  • Write a letter to your Leader describing your favorite Girl Scout memory
  • Make your own coupon book
  • In appreciate for the time given,  give the gift of thyme- give dried thyme, thyme in olive oil or bread flavored with thyme!
  • Take a troop picture and present it to your leader
  • Bake a cake
  • Display a thank you poster on their mailbox
  • Check out Leader Appreciation items at the Council shop
  • Give a mug of chocolate hugs and kisses
  • Dedicate a service project to your leader
  • Make a troop cheer
  • Create a special certificate
  • Hold an appreciation dinner

 

 

 

 

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The Power of Camp

April 19th, 2012

 

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Hunger Hits Home: an 11 year old perspective

April 19th, 2012

written by Lucy S., age 11

Hunger is a bigger problem than I thought. I thought only people who were poor or didn’t have homes where hungry. I was wrong. Many other people are suffering hunger. A lot of kids who are hungry aren’t getting enough healthy food. That is a problem. If the smaller/younger kids aren’t getting the nutrition they need, they could develop heart problems, diabetes, and even high blood pressure.

These kids need food, their parents too. People all over the world, over 11 million kids aren’t getting breakfast everyday. 1 out of every 5 kids don’t get breakfast every day. Many of their parents don’t have enough food, or just can’t afford it. They either receive food stamps or go to local food banks.  Schools are starting to give away free breakfasts to kids in need. This changes their whole day. Breakfast keeps you concentrated.

My friend told me today that she didn’t eat because she “didn’t want to”. I think that she missing out by not eating. When you don’t eat breakfast, you wont be able to stay focused or alert during school. If you aren’t focused or alert, you wont be able to do your school work. That can effect your grade.

We must stop this. By 2015, the President of the United States of America wants hunger to end. The smallest donation to a food bank could change a 5-year-old girl’s life. We need you to help.  Take the pledge today at http://nokidhungry.org/learn-about-campaign

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Send in your thoughts about the film and tell us what you can do to end childhood hunger! Send your work to Kristi at kpallack@girlscoutssoaz.org. You can watch the full film (only 48 min) online for free here.

 

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Cheerleader hails from Guam: DeCabooter will again be on sidelines for NFL’s Cardinals

April 18th, 2012

During the 2012 NFL season, Maria Christina Manibusan DeCabooter will be on the sidelines cheering for the Arizona Cardinals — again.

Although the former Chalan Pago resident made the cheerleading team last year, she was more nervous when she tried out for the team this year.

“I think it was kind of more nerve-wracking,” the 27-year-old said via telephone from Tucson, Ariz. “The previous year you go and you give it your all. But this past year — you go through the program and you cheer at the games — you know how much there is to lose.”

Heather Karberg, the director of Cardinals Cheerleaders, said approximately 200 women tried out for the team this year. Sixteen veterans, including DeCabooter, joined the audition in round three, learned a dance routine and performed it the next day. Finalists were then chosen and asked to return for a panel interview. After that, they had practice for the next three days. Twenty-nine women were selected for the team on March 29, and DeCabooter was one of 15 veterans who again made the team.

“She not only has a great look and proved herself this year, but she improved tremendously over the year with her dance skills and her confidence,” Karberg said via telephone from Tempe, Ariz.

The Cardinals cheerleaders practice from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Cardinals practice facility in Tempe. DeCabooter commutes 90 minutes to 2 hours from her home in Tucson to attend practice.

“She’s very dedicated and always comes prepared,” Karberg said. “She’s probably the most dedicated person that I’ve had as far as people who travel that distance.”

Took three tries

Prior to the 2011 season, DeCabooter tried out for the team twice and didn’t make it. She said that she felt overwhelmed the first two times that she tried out when she watched all the talented dancers. She took more advanced dance classes prior to trying out again. She focused only on what she was doing rather than the competition during her third tryout and finally made the team.

When asked what advice she would give to prospective cheerleaders, DeCabooter said, “Keep working toward your goal, have a great support system and focus on yourself.”

DeCabooter was emotional when she first cheered at the University of Phoenix Stadium on Aug. 27, 2011, when the Cardinals took on the San Diego Chargers in a preseason game. During the game, she said that she experienced a mix of huge smiles and happy tears. She still couldn’t believe that she was a Cardinals cheerleader and finally achieved her dream.

“It was (an) incredible rush to be out on the field and feel the energy from the crowd,” she said. “I remember looking around during the national anthem and still thinking I was in a dream.”

At the end of the season, DeCabooter won the cheerleading team’s Rookie of the Year award as voted by her teammates.

“I think the girls see the same thing that I see: her work ethic, her dedication, her true appreciation for the program and the position she’s in,” Karberg said.

Danced with SKIP

DeCabooter first started dancing when she was 5 years old. She joined the SKIP Entertainment Company because she looked up to her cousin, Dee Perez, who was already in SKIP. Perez said dancing and performing at a young age taught them discipline and sportsmanship. She said that seeing her cousin dance now makes her proud.

“Maria has always had the talent and skill of a great dancer, yet she finds ways to push herself to be better,” Perez said via email. “The enthusiasm she has for her team (and the Cardinals brings) her dancing to a whole other level.”

DeCabooter also traveled to a few places in the U.S. mainland to perform with SKIP, and remained with the company until middle school.

Brains and beauty

A student at St. John’s School, she left Guam after her sophomore year and graduated from Punahou School in Honolulu in 2003. She received her bachelor of arts degree in political science from Rice University in Houston in 2007. In 2010, she received her juris doctorate from the University of Arizona Rogers College of Law. She works as an advocacy specialist doing research and public policy for the Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona.

She married David DeCabooter in Hawaii last October. She proudly said that her husband is the biggest Cardinals cheerleaders’ fan and wears a shirt that says “Go Maria” to games. He also holds season tickets.

Christmas in Guam

Maria DeCabooter visits Guam every Christmas and was on island last December. She misses her parents: Joaquin and Eileen Manibusan, her family, the culture, how friendly everyone is and the beach.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without my amazing family,” she said. “I am so lucky to have such a great support system and only wish I could see them more.”

She also encourages people to follow their dreams like she did.

“Don’t limit yourself,” she said. “Keep your dreams big. It might take a while, but if you work hard and keep at it you’ll get where you want to get.”

Nadia Fernandez Untalan is a former Pacific Daily News sports reporter. She resides in Mesa, Ariz.

Original Article

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Photo Bombing (verb)

April 18th, 2012

Photo Bombing
(verb): The fine art of ruining other people’s photos, usually by running in the background or making a silly face in the background without them knowing.

So, how does this apply to Girl Scouts? Well… IT’S FUN! Check out the photo bombing we did with our Chief Operating Officer, Kristen Culliney, at Jamboree this weekend:

For more fun Photo Bombing, visit our Facebook Page!

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Yuma Camp Fury Kicks Off!

April 17th, 2012
Check out what our Yuma Girl Scouts are doing! Want to give it a try? Then sign up for Camp Fury June 6-9th right here in Tucson!

BY JAMES GILBERT – YUMA SUN STAFF WRITER

Yuma Fire Department Battalion Chief and Camp Fury coordinator, Lynn Wojcik (right), gives final instructions to a group of campers that are taking part in a firefighting exercise Saturday. The campers taking part in the exercise are Ashley Casillas (from left), Courtney Myers, Lorena Tambo, and Kaitlynn Hogan. Photo by Craig Fry, Yuma Sun.

The Girls Scouts of Southern Arizona and the City of Yuma Fire Department held the start of their 2nd Annual Camp Fury this weekend. The camp gives teenage girls from around Yuma County an opportunity to get a firsthand look at what it is like to be a firefighter.

The firefighting camp, which is for sixth- to 12th-grade girls, is being held at the City of Yuma’s Public Safety Training Facility. Registration for the camp, which cost $20, was conducted through March 31 and was limited to 24 participants.

“We only filled 12 of the spots, which is what we had last year, so we are pretty happy,” said Fire Inspector Kayla Holiman, of the Yuma Fire Department.

Participants will learn and perform firefighting skills with fire department equipment and gear. They will also learn life-saving emergency medical techniques, including Continuous Chest Compression CPR and basic first aid. Water safety has been added this year.

In addition, the campers will learn about emergency preparedness and work toward earning the Be Prepared Patch, which was developed by the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital and FEMA’s Citizen Corps.

Jonica Flores, area coordinator for Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona, said the badge program brings national recognition to an attending Girl Scout. She went on to say that preparing for a catastrophic event is crucial, and Camp Fury will provide the Scout with the needed knowledge and skills needed to do so.

The camp got underway Friday night with the fire chief and Girl Scouts welcoming the parents and meeting the participants.

Holiman said instead of holding the camp over a single weekend like it was last year, this year’s camp is going to be spread out over the weekends of April 13-14 and April 21-22.

Another change from last year is that girls could sign up to attend regardless of whether they were currently registered as a Girl Scout.

Flores said while last year all the participants were Girl Scouts, this year a majority are girls who are interested in pursuing a career in firefighting.

“One of the parents, whose daughter is in high school said her daughter is interested in a career in Fire Science and that she is excited about participating,” Flores said.

The youngest participant in this year’s camp is 12, while the oldest is a high school senior. Also, Flores said Rep. Lynne Pancrazi, D-Yuma, recently learned about the camp and was planning to stop by Saturday.

“I’m going to encourage the girls to get their CPR card,” Pancrazi said. “What the girls will be learning is very important. You never know when you will need it.”

Read more: http://www.yumasun.com/articles/camp-78270-girls-year.html#ixzz1sK79R2jB

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Cheers to the Volunteer!

April 17th, 2012

Welcome to the new volunteer blog for Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona!

Ellen Pott and Whitney Thistle have newly formed the Volunteer Team here at the council and are now fully dedication to volunteer support, training, and engagement.  Their goals for their volunteers are to ensure all volunteers contributing to our movement feel valued and appreciated for the vital jobs they do as volunteers.  We will begin calling all of our volunteers to say hello and to ensure volunteers feel informed and communicated with.  If you need to contact one of the volunteer team members please see the following contact information

Whitney Thistle, 520-319-3148, wthistle@girlscoutssoaz.org

Ellen Pott, 520-319-3151, epott@girlscoutssoaz.org

Our blogs will be posted once a month to our website www.girlscoutssoaz.org and will include postings from some of our current volunteers and why they love to work with GSSoAz.

We will be posting upcoming Volunteer Opportunities of the Week on our facebook page.  This will include a select opportunity in the next week that we need volunteer support for.

Go like us on facebook and stay up to date with all things Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona!

More to come!

Your Volunteer Team

Whitney Thistle and Ellen Pott

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Sierra Vista Girl Scouts on a Quest to Rock the Mall!

April 16th, 2012

Local Girl Scouts on a Quest to Rock the Mall

Rock the Mall
June 9, 2012
Washington D.C.
Contact: Troop Leader:
Rosi Southee 520.249.2077, girlscouts1770@yahoo.com

Sierra Vista- Six Cadettes from Girl Scout Troop 1770 are on a mission to rock the mall! Not the shopping mall, but the National Mall in the nation’s capital. As part of Girl Scouts of the USA’s 100th anniversary celebrations, 200,000 girls and adults from around the world are expected to gather on June 9th for the world’s largest Sing-Along. The Girl Scouts are also aiming to break the Guinness World Record for the largest flash mob.  Since the Girl Scout movement was founded in 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low, Girl Scouts have turned to the power of song to celebrate friendship and express commitment to girls’ leadership.

Troop 1770’s “AZ 2 DC” girls have been actively raising money since last October to join fellow Girl Scouts for a week of song, friendship and exploration. After receiving approval from the Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona’s headquarters in Tucson, they hosted a “Santa’s Workshop” where the girls offered babysitting services to allow parents to go Christmas shopping. The girls have also partnered with local restaurants including Peter Piper Pizza and Chili’s to hold Troop 1770 nights where the participating restaurants donated a percentage of proceeds to the Troop’s project. In addition, these go-getters have also been out in the community becoming skilled spokeswomen for their cause, visiting local businesses and making presentations about the Girl Movement and the upcoming 100th Anniversary Rock the Mall trip. To date, the Troop has raised over $2,800 and need only $2100 more to reach their goal.

“The dedication of these girls is inspiring” notes Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona’s CEO Debbie Rich. “They have been strategic in their planning and have received Council approval for all their fundraising efforts. Moreover, the “AZ 2 DC” girls worked from all angles, cookies and bake sales to meeting with community officials and perfecting their business pitch. I am extremely proud of their hard work and the skills they’ve acquired through the process.”

If you’d like to help these young ladies earn their way to D.C. and become part of the history books, there is still time. During Sierra Vista’s Heaping Helping on April 16-18th Lucky Wishbone has partnered with the Troop and will donate 10% of each check when a customer mentions Heaping Helping. On May 1st Chili’s will once again partner with the troop for a Girl Scout Night. On May 6th Troop 1770 will hold an “AZ 2 DC” car wash at Discount Tires. Lastly, the Troop will hold a Spaghetti Dinner at the Landmark Café on May 26th. Tickets for the Spaghetti Dinner will go on sale May 15th.

The young ladies of the troop have been overwhelmed by the community’s response and willingness to help. To show their appreciation the Troop will personally write thank you cards to all contributors and include a write up about their experiences in the nation’s capital.

For information please contact Maria DeCabooter at 520.319.3175 or mdecabooter@girlscoutssoaz.org.

Note: Troop 1770 is part of the Girl Scout’s of Southern Arizona’s jurisdiction. All fund raising activity by troops must be submitted to the Council, documented, and approved before troop money-earning activity may begin. For more information on financial policies, please contact Kristen Hernandez, Chief Operating Officer at (520) 319.3172, khernandez@girlscoutssoaz.org.

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Honoring the Leaders of Today and Tomorrow- Girls and Women of Distinction

April 16th, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: April 16, 2012

CONTACT: Maria DeCabooter

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 Honoring the Leaders of Today and Tomorrow at Girls and Women of Distinction

April 21, 2012
9:00am- 11:00am
The Historic Manning House
450 W Paseo Redondo #212

The Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona will recognize over fifty amazing girls and women from across Southern Arizona at the 2012 Girls and Women of Distinction on April 21st at the Historic Manning House. This annual event is part of a national Girl Scout program that celebrates the accomplishments of girls and women for their Girl Scout achievements and the impact they make in their communities.

At the ceremony four girls will receive their Girl Scout Gold Award, which is the highest achievement a girl can be given. In order to earn this prestigious award, which only 5% of all eligible Girl Scouts receive, girls must demonstrate their leadership skills as they plan, promote, and manage a service project that has a sustainable impact in their community and beyond. In recognition of their achievements, Gold Awardees who join the armed services enter at one rank higher than other recruits. The recipients from Troop 484 earned their Gold Award through their Hearts for Diamonds Project, through which they raised $36,000 to outfit classrooms for young cancer patients in the Bone Marrow Transplant Ward at the Diamond Children’s Medical Center.

While the event is titled Girls and Women of Distinction, one man will also be honored. Martin Landon, known affectionately as “the Cookie Dad,” will receive the CEO Award in recognition of his outstanding service to Girl Scouts. Notes Megan Black, the Council’s Cookie Program Manager, “Martin supports new and returning troops as they grow in the Girl Scout movement. He has grown cookie sales in the Tri-Star Service Unit by 5,000 boxes, a 21% increase. He also visits booths to show support for local troops and basically goes out of his way for Girl Scouting.”

This year’s ceremony coincides with the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts. As part of the 100th celebration efforts, Girl Scouts of the USA recently launched an ambitious campaign, ToGetHerThere. The campaign’s focus on girl leadership greatly excites CEO Debbie Rich, who believes that “leadership experiences are what make Girl Scouting unique. Girls need wise adults who not only inspire them but trust them. The adult volunteers being recognized have all shown their deep commitment to supporting girls and helping girls reach their leadership potential. For that we cannot thank them enough.” As for the girls, Rich emphasizes that “they have mastered our traditional 3 C’s: cookies, camps, and crafts, and they exemplify the modern 3 C’s: the courage to act, the confidence to achieve, and the character to change the world. Watch out, because these girls have a very bright future!”

Girl Scout awards will also be presented in the following categories: Silver Award, Pray Award, Graduating Seniors, Top 10 Cookie Sellers, and Top Selling Cookie Troop. Adults volunteers will be honored in the following areas: New Found Treasure (New Volunteer), Treasured Gem (Seasoned Volunteer), and CEO Award (exemplifies the Girl Scout Promise and Law).

For more information about Girls and Women of Distinction, please contact Maria DeCabooter at 520.319.3175 or mdecabooter@girlscoutssoaz.org

2012 Girls and Women of Distinction Honorees

Girl Recognition

Gold Award Recipients: Ashley O’Neal, Jennifer O’Neal, Lauren Evans and Sharon Fass

Silver Award Recipients: Makenzie Koontz, Breanna Williams, Cayla Samson, Bethany Goad, Catherine Bean, Ellie Cline, Holly Hanson, Michelle Jaquette, Cheyenne Lockhart, Lora Lorenstein, Hannah McDaid, Jaclyn Melendez, Hallie Nitido, Pheonix Pittman, Brynn Sparling, Sara Anderson, and Ashley Counts

Pray Award: Sophia Compton, Leslie Courville, Hannah Draper, and Dulce Gonzales

Graduating Seniors: Amanda Metropoulis, and Danielle Adams

Top 10 Cookie Sellers: Mary Ruiz (5,007 boxes), Stephanie Urbina (4736), Cassie Jump (3359), Korbyn Davis (3037), Sarah Fowler (3007), Tiffanie Jump (3004), Elizabeth McCormick (3000), Dierdre Dimmick (2012), Tabitha Kellum (2007), and Jorden Zeng (2005).

Top Selling Troop: Troop#645 (sold 13,805 boxes) Sophia Compton, Rachel Whitaker, Nadira Mitchell, George Ballenger, Abigail Caldwell, Quinn Patterson, Leah Langejans, Jasmyne Godoy, Emily Bittman, Isabella Carrion, Mary Ruiz, Yazmin Romero, Kyla Ramon and Olivia Suzarrey

Adult Recognition

10 Year Pin: Ann Metropoulus

25 Year Pin: Cheryl Murphy

Volunteer of Excellence: Martin Landon, Carla Reiter, Jodi Sullivan, Cynthia Harris Smith

Treasured Gem: Christina Carlos, Rachel Coury, Dawn Henderson, and Patricia Small

New Found Gem: Crystal Smith, Susie Anderson

CEO Award- Martin Landon

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Free Comic Book Day: Girl Scouts in Space

April 10th, 2012

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