Posted 10:58 am Friday, September 19, 2008
Girl Scouts Honor Real Girls, Women
By MAEGAN McGOWEN
Feature Writer
Yellow roses and delicate glasses of "Citrus on Ice" adorned the tables at the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas Real Girls Real Women Awards Luncheon on Thurs-day at Willow Brook Country Club.
Feature Writer
Yellow roses and delicate glasses of "Citrus on Ice" adorned the tables at the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas Real Girls Real Women Awards Luncheon on Thurs-day at Willow Brook Country Club.
The Girl Scouts of North-east Texas honored Julia Arnold, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Thomas J.B. Arnold, of Flint, who began her Girl Scout leadership experience at 11 years old.
She is currently a Girl Scout Ambassador and re-ceived the highest award in Girl Scouting -- the Girl Scout Gold Award for sustaining a children's backpack program at the East Texas Food Bank.
"Julia has accomplished much at a young age and is a wonderful example of what the Girl Scout program has to offer today's girl," Mistress of ceremonies Gillian Sheridan said.
"She began as a Brownie and through the Girl Scout Leadership Development program Julia learned valuable skills that have made her the conscientious young female leader she is today."
Miss Arnold received the 2008 Real Girl award and is an amazing role model and mentor to young women in Smith County, Ms. Sheridan said.
"I'm really honored to be here," Ms. Arnold said, choking up. "I have so many people supporting me, and I want to thank them so much. I'm forever grateful for all you've done."
Ms. Arnold said when she joined the Brownies in first grade, she never imagined she would still be in the Scouting program as a senior in high school.
From left, Lynne Mabry, board chair Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, honorees Julia Arnold, Jane McElmurry, Mayor Barbara Bass and Judith Gutherie, and CEO of the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas Colleen Walker pose at the luncheon.
"It has taught me leadership skills and helped me to become the woman I am today," she said.
Three local women were also honored at the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas' Real Girls Real Women Awards Lunch-eon: Mayor Barbara Bass, Judge Judith Guthrie and Jane McElmurry, a community leader with more than 50 years of Girl Scout experience.
The Real Girls Real Women Awards Luncheon also featured Judge Carole Clark, 321st District Court, as the keynote speaker.
Ms. Clark congratulated the honorees on their tremendous accomplishments and explained that the women honored at the luncheon had mastered the role of leader in their community.
"We are celebrating women leaders in general and women leaders in Tyler in particular," she said. "We are also celebrating the efforts of Girl Scouts in helping young women realize their potential for leadership just as they have done for 96 years. The women here today are evidence that women can be and are leaders of the highest caliber."
Lynne Mabry, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas Chair of Board, also spoke about the importance of volunteerism to the Girl Scouts.
"Adult volunteers are the heart of our organization," she said. "Volunteer opportunities can be made on an annual or episodic basis to provide a short-term service or experience ΓΆΒ?Β» your gift of time -- be it a year, a month or a day, can make a powerful impact on the life of a girl. As our banner here says, 'Change a Life ... It's Forever.'"
For volunteer opportunities call Linda Robertson, 903-526-2007 ext. 103 or e-mail, lrobertson@gsnetx.org.
