On Sunday, June 3rd, Girl Scouts of Orange County and its Board of Directors came together with over 750 guests to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of local Girl Scouts and the adult volunteers who support them at the annual Girl Scouts of Orange County Recognition Event luncheon at the Disneyland Hotel. The event was emceed by Tricia Wedekind, a lifelong Girl Scout and troop leader of Girl Scout Junior Troop 3249 in Anaheim and Lisa Hinshaw, Girl Scout Alum and liaison to Girl Scouts of Orange County’s Gold Award Girl Scouts. The theme for the event was superheroes, celebrating the local girls and women, and several outstanding men, who are taking action in their communities, inspiring others, and making our world a better place!
Commenting on the award recipients, Girl Scouts of Orange County CEO Vikki Shepp shared: “I am so very proud to honor the superheroes of our movement – the Girl Scouts who are making our world a better place and the volunteers who inspire them to dig deep, tap into their G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader) ™ spirit, and reach for their dreams. From the Girl Scout troop who advocates for change at their city council, to the volunteer who helps a shy Girl Scout Daisy build confidence, Girl Scouts are spreading truth, justice, and friendship everywhere they go. ”
The following Laguna Niguel residents received a prestigious award during the event.
Brianna Scherffius received the Spotlight Award for providing outstanding service to her Girl Scout Service Unit.
Brett Campbell and Alex Sales were presented with the Good Guy Award, a special recognition designed to say ‘Thank You’ to those heroic men and women who work “behind the scenes” to assist Girl Scouts without having an official role. Brett Campbell dedicated his time to the annual Daddy Daughter Powder Puff Derby, opening his garage to help dads and girls bond. Alex Sales is a great friend to the Aliso Niguel/Laguna Beach Day Camp. He gathered Girl Scout uniforms and donated them to girls in need.
Elena Taraman received the Appreciation Pin, a national award approved by Girl Scouts of Orange County’s Board of Directors that recognizes volunteers who have delivered outstanding service to at least one geographic area, service unit, or program delivery audience. Elena is on a mission to keep older girls engaged in Girl Scouts. She has been very active in adding activities to enhance older Girl Scouts’ experience, such as fun camping trips, Destination Unknowns, and overnight laser tag. This past summer, she and her daughter put in over 30 hours at the Crown Valley Regional Park in the Girl Scout Tree Grove to repair the Girl Scout Faces mosaic which was a Girl Scout Silver Award.
18-year-oldGirl Scout Ambassador Julianne Wilde from Troop 1579 was surprised with the Outstanding Senior Award an award given to graduating seniors who have demonstrated their belief in the ideals of Girl Scouting. As the Social Captain for the Dana Hills High School PTSA, Julianne organizes activities for new and incoming students. She volunteered her talents as a videographer for the Laguna Niguel Community Theater and filmed, edited, and selected music for a trailer of their production of “Into the Woods.” For her Girl Scout Gold Award, she partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of Capistrano Valley to create her “Eat Right and Get Fit Project.”
Outstanding Seniors – Lauren Best, Megan Hall, Aleece Hanson, Allison Gardner, Kristine Okereke, Alexandria Alvarez, Anushka Bhaskar, Hannah Takasuka, Julianne Wilde
About Girl Scouts
We are Girl Scouts of Orange County. We are 33,000 strong– 20,000 girls and 13,000 adults who believe in the power of every G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ to change the world. With programs in every zip code in Orange County, Girl Scouts offers every girl opportunities to practice a lifetime of leadership, adventure, and success. To volunteer, reconnect, donate, or join, visit girlscoutsoc.org.
Photo Credit: Orange County Girl Scouts
