Meet Your PC Series: Fabi & Robin

Fabi Payton runs the show in Bryan/College Station! She happily and enthusiastically serves Brazos, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson, Milam, Burleson counties. Contact Fabi for all your membership needs in Area 3. 

Q: What are you interests?

A: I love to try new things, listen to my music really loudly (so I can’t hear myself being off tune) while driving down country roads, and laugh a lot.

Q: What is your favorite part about the job?
A: My favorite part about my job is all of it! BUT the girls are the icing on my Girl Scout cupcake…the quirkier the better. They make me laugh and I love to laugh.

Q: Why did you decide to join the Girl Scout staff?
A: I joined the Girl Scout staff to join a group of people that believed that ALL girls are exceptional and that together they can make this world and exceptional place. I LOVE Area 3!!!! Whoop!

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Meet Brownwood membership specialist, Robin Wheeler! Robin is in charge of Brown, Coleman, McColloch, Comanche, Erath, Hamilton, Mills, Mason and San Saba counties. Live in these areas and have Girl Scout questions or comments? Robin can help!

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

A: I really enjoy the time I have to read and relax.

Q: What is your favorite part about the job?

A: My favorite parts about my job are interacting with the girls and seeing how the program changes their lives. I love knowing I have something to do with that.

Q: Why did you decide to join the Girl Scout staff?

A: I am a Lifetime Member, and I know how Girl Scouts affected my life and I wanted to have the opportunity to make that change in other girls’ lives.

Meet Your PC Series: Darlene & Michelle

Darlene Rodriguez is the membership specialist for the Killeen/Temple area and serves Bell, Lampasas, Burnet, Llano, Coryell, Hill, Fort Hood, Blanco and Gatesville counties. Contact her if you are from this area!

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

A: I enjoy art, travel and gardening. Quality time with my family is a must.

Q: What is your favorite part about the job?

A: I love meeting new people in my community. It gives me the opportunity to share and learn new things.

Q: Why did you decide to join the Girl Scout staff?

A: Soon after I started working for Girl Scouts, I discovered the friendships and unity that Girl Scouts creates in women and girls. That’s why I work for Girl Scouts.

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Michelle Rhodes works in our Waco office and is responsible for Bosque, Limestone, McLennan and Falls counties. If you live in this area, feel free to reach her for all membership-related comments.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

A: I like to spend time with my kids and husband, shop, travel and get on Facebook.

Q: What is your favorite part about the job?

A: I love to place girls that seem to need Girl Scouting the most.

Q: Why did you decide to join the Girl Scout staff?
A: I loved spending quality time with both of my daughters as they grew up in Girl Scouts. I loved it so much I wanted to be a part of the recruiting experience.

Meet Your PC Series: Karen

Three cheers for Pathway Coordinator Karen Stewart! Karen is a true Girl Scout at heart. For three years now, Karen has worked at the GSCTX office in Austin and was a volunteer for many years before her time as an employee. She serves Williamson and Travis counties.

Q: What are your interests?

A: Camping, water-sports, spending time with my daughter, and making jewelry.

Q: What is your favorite part about the job?

A: Working with the girls in water-sports and water safety. I have been teaching water safety for more than 30 years.

Q: Why did you decide to join the Girl Scout staff?
A: I was an active volunteer and Service Unit Director. After retiring as a city employee, I decided to follow my passion and work for Girl Scouts. It just seemed it be the right fit for me!

Troop 891 Travels to St. Louis!

Troop 891 recently hit the road to St. Louis, MO to take in the sights and sounds as well as to educate themselves on the world around them. The girls recently took an interest in wind and weather while working on the It’s Your Planet – Love it! Breathe Journey and decided to visit Joplin, MO along the way to witness the devastation the tornados left on the community. Moved by what they saw, the girls have decided to make a video on tornado awareness for their Take Action project. On the way back home, they also visited a Texas rest stop equipped with a storm shelter and educational displays on Texas tornados.

During the trip, the troop visited a variety of places. They started with the Louis and Clark History Museum and took a segway tour along the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers to view the spot Lois and Clark began their famous expedition. The girls also encountered some scary weather but it cleared up in time for them to enjoy the Gateway Arch and take a few photos as well.

In their last few days in St. Louis, the Girl Scouts headed over to the Third Degree Glass Factory to watch demonstrations of glass blowing and even took a class on working with hot glass! After the lesson on glass art and a safety lesson too, everyone had a chance to work with molten glass in and out of the furnace. They spent their last day at the City Museum. The museum was made entirely of recycled materials and had a tunnel system the girls could climb in and around. They finished off their day by making custom troop shoelaces and rode a Ferris wheel on the roof top!

Sounds like a fun and educational trip, girls! We can’t wait to view your video.

Meet Your PC Series: Leti & Kim

Say hello to Leti Alvarez and Kim Peña! They both work as Pathway Coordinators in the Austin office and serve Travis, Hays, Gillespie, Caldwell and Bastrop counties. Contact them for more information on service units in these areas. Leti habla español.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

A: I love yoga! I teach it to young girls and adults. It keeps me balanced and fit. I’m also an avid traveler. I speak four languages, and I lived in Madagascar for three years. I will return there this summer to hike the rainforest and take toothbrushes to the children.

Q: What is your favorite part about the job?

A: I love to spend time with the girls, facilitate new troops, and create new and exciting programs such as the Water Series camp.

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Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

A: I’m all about Girl Scouting, but during my time off, I enjoy hosting craft parties, baking, and spending time with my husband and two dogs, Nibbler and Acho.

Q: What is your favorite part about the job?

A: Working with volunteers. I love seeing adults interact with the girls. It truly is an amazing and gratifying experience.

Q: Why did you decide to join the Girl Scout staff?

A: I wanted a job where I could give back and make a difference. Empowering young girls is rewarding.

Meet Your PC Series: Avery & Emily

Managing and overseeing all Girl Scout programs is a big responsibility and Avery Orendorf is just the person for the job. For questions concerning any and all events, Avery is your go-to GSCTX staff member.

Q: What are your interests?

A: I like to read, travel, and participate in outdoor activities (camping, kayaking, backpacking, rockclimbing, and sailing).

Q: Why did you decide to join the Girl Scout staff?
A: It has always been a priority of mine to be a part of a big and wonderful cause.

Q: What is your favorite part about the job?

A: I enjoy working directly with older Girl Scouts on leadership activities.

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You probably know your friendly neighborhood Pathway Coordinator but do you know the fabulous lady in charge of all things membership? Meet Emily Hoppe - she works overtime to make sure you and your daughter have a great Girl Scout journey. For all membership-related questions, Emily is the one to help you out.

Q: What are your interests?

A: I enjoy quilting, crafts and everything in between.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: You can find me enjoying the sights and sounds of Austin with my husband and friends.

Q: What is your favorite part about the job?
A: Serving girls and volunteers and helping them discover their greatest potential.

Q: Why did you decide to join the Girl Scout staff?
A: I joined the Girl Scout team because Girl Scouts has always been a part of my life, and I see how it builds girls to be the leaders of tomorrow.

Next up, Pathway Coordinators Kim Pena and Leti Alvarez. Stay tuned!