Out & About - December

Robotics Win: Both the GSCTX Belton/Temple and Kyle/Buda robotics teams competed in the Central Texas FLL Qualifying Rounds this past month and walked away winners! ‘G3’ (Kyle/Buda) won an award for their research presentation and ‘The Globotics’ (Belton/Temple) won 1^st place for robot design. Both teams received a ‘Golden Ticket’ invitation to the championship rounds in January. Awesome job, ladies!

Veteran Day Parade: Girl Scouts of San Marcos participated in the local Veteran’s Day Parade this past month. The girls’ float was sponsored by ‘Green Guy Recycling’ and was made entirely of recycled materials. The purpose of the float was to remind friends and family they can improve the environment and protect natural resources by ‘Reducing, Reusing and Recycling.’ To learn more about go green initiatives, visit the Girl Scout Forever Green website. 

Girl Scouts of Central Texas Attend National Convention

Nearly 50 Central Texas Girl Scout staff, delegates and supporters attended the Girl Scouts National Council Session 52^nd Convention in Houston, TX from Nov. 10-13. The three-day convention offered several activities including the organization’s centennial celebration on Saturday, hundreds of seminars and the organization’s business meeting where GSUSA welcomed its new Chief Executive Officer, Anna Maria Chavez.

The event also featured appearances by such role models as award-winning journalist Katie Couric, newscaster Robin Roberts of Good Morning America, gospel singer Yolanda Adams and first African-American female combat pilot Vernice Armour.

“Our council was inspired by all the amazing women, girls and speakers that attended the National Convention,” says Etta Moore, Girl Scouts of Central Texas Chief Executive Officer. “As we prepare to celebrate our 100^th anniversary in 2012, Girl Scouts of Central Texas will continue develop girl leaders for this country and for this world.”

For the past century, Girl Scouts have been an iconic American organization, committed to service and leadership.

To learn more about the past, present and future of Girl Scouts and for a complete list of local 100^th anniversary events, please visit www.gsctx.org. Connect with Girl Scouts of Central Texas on Facebook and Twitter. 


-Kandace Fierro

Last Chance to Vote Etta for Mother Ginger!

We've said it before and we'll say it again - vote GSCTX CEO Etta Moore for the role of Mother Ginger in Ballet Austin's production of The Nutcracker! Voting ends tomorrow so spread the word to all of your friends via word of mouth and online. Having Etta star as Mother Ginger for the December 22 performance would be a great way to kick off the 100th year of Girl Scouts! Be sure to vote today and tomorrow.

Vote for Your Favorite Austinite

Vote ONCE A DAY, EVERY DAY through Nov 30 for your favorite community leader - the person with the most votes wins! The winner will be announced by email Dec 1.

The Community Leader Mother Ginger Contest

Ballet Austin's Mother Ginger Contest recognizes and celebrates an unsung hero of the community who is generous, respected, influential and adored in the community: a way to help honor a dedicated, giving Austinite for community service that goes above and beyond. Through an online nomination and selection process, we've narrowed the list to several finalists. Now it's YOUR turn to decide who is crowned Mother Ginger for the Dec 22 performance.
Prizes

•Starring role as Mother Ginger for the Dec 22, 7:30pm performance of The Nutcracker

•VIP treatment with their own 'celebrity' dressing room

•Box seats for friends and family to witness their debut

•Discounts for other guests to see the Dec 22 performance

•Ballet Austin Gift Basket filled with surprises

•Photo and video of the winner's performance

#GirlScouts100 - Let the Celebration Begin!

Central Texas Girl Scouts discuss the 52nd National Convention with Kandace Fierro, Public Relations Specialist for GSCTX. For more photos and full coverage of the convention, search #GirlScouts100 on Twitter!

Honor Local Women with Nomination

Give thanks this holiday season to extraordinary women in your community! GSCTX is now accepting nominations for Women of Distinction events in Austin, San Angelo, Brownwood and Killeen.

The coveted award honors women who have distinguished themselves as outstanding members of their community and who can serve as role models to all Girl Scouts, girls and adults alike.

"Women of Distinction events allow Girl Scouts to formally recognize women who illustrate the values of Girl Scouting: courage, confidence and character," says Etta Moore, CEO for the Girl Scouts of Central Texas. "Their accomplishments motivate volunteers to remain committed to our girls' futures and inspire girls to set and achieve ambitious goals. Together this is how we build strong communities."

Central Texans are strongly encouraged to nominate women leaders from their community as Women of Distinction. Past honorees have excelled in the areas of business, education, government, communications, health care, sports, volunteer services, multicultural activities and Girl Scouting.

Nomination forms can be completed online at www.gsctx.org. Forms are also available for download online and at our Girl Scouts of Central Texas offices. The nomination deadline for San Angelo and Brownwood is December 31, 2011. The nominate deadline for Austin and Killeen is January 11, 2012.

-Kandace Fierro

View photos from last year's events on our Flickr account!

Out and About - November

Take A Seat: Troop 4808 from Forest Trails Service Unit placed second in their division for their entry at the Round Rock Chalk Walk and Arts Festival last month. The contest encouraged eager participants to use their creative vision and decorate a chair. The uniquely decorated chairs were judged and then auctioned off with proceeds going to the Round Rock Area Art Council’s community programs. Great job, girls!

Sister Girl Scouts: Our friends from the San Jacinto Girl Scout council didn’t hesitate when they heard of the devastation the wildfires left on many in the Bastrop area. Troop 18998 collected and donated items including camping gear to the local troops. The girls also made t-shirts for girls affected by the fires to wear with slogans like ‘A Sister to Every Girl Scout’ and ‘I Love Girl Scouts’ on them. Thank you ladies! Your help means a lot. 

Interview with Oldest Living Central Texas Girl Scout

With the 100th Anniversary approaching, GSCTX set out to find Girl Scouts with more than 50 years of service to the organization. During our search, we found the oldest living Girl Scout in Temple, Texas. Mary Alice Marshall will turn 103 this December and while her interests have turned to other things like serving on the Texas Symphony Board, Mary Alice will always consider herself a Girl Scout.

Mary Alice was born and raised in East Texas. She started piano lessons at age five and from there, “music became [her] life.” After graduating with a degree in music, she joined Temple College as a music teacher. Her passion for music stayed with her throughout her career and when she decided to retire from teaching, she knew still wanted to incorporate it into her new endeavors.

When her daughter joined Girl Scouts in the 1970’s, so did Mary Alice. She served as a Song Leader at camps and volunteered with her daughter’s troop. Shortly after joining the girl leadership organization, Mary Alice was elected president of the Hillsboro Council. Along with a friend, Mary Alice heard of open land in the area and decided to go through the application process with the government to secure use of the land. Upon approval, the council named it Camp Kachina and it still serves local Girl Scouts to this day. Mary Alice “is very pleased to know [she] played a part in getting the camp” and it was one of the things she is more proud of doing during her time as president.

Mary Alice sees the strong leader her daughter has become and her success is due in part to what she learned as a Girl Scout. Of Girl Scouting, Mary Alice says that it “is a strong program to this day and programs for youth are now more important that ever.” It was an honor to meet with Mary Alice and hear all her stories – both Girl Scout and beyond. Take note from Mary Alice and join us in the year 100! We can’t wait to celebrate with you.

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