Because I think good things need to be spoken about more often...and because I was a Girl Scout myself and have very fond memories (except for maybe that time when Donna photographed me in the camp outhouse in a less than flattering pose)...

37 earn Girl Scouting's highest honor

I encourage you to read all of these...I personally am well and truly impressed with the level of community service involved in these projects.

Congratulations ladies!

Thirty-seven members of the Girl Scouts Hornets' Nest Council recently earned their Gold Awards. The award is the highest honor in Girl Scouts. The girls did various community-service projects to earn the award.

• Becky Ausband created an indoor arena at Joshua's Farm. She redesigned a space in a storage barn so riders could continue therapy during cold, windy or inclement weather. She is the daughter of Terry and Vernon Ausband.

• Katie Baker created a health fair targeting girls ages 9-12. Katie recruited professionals, friends and other Girl Scouts as guest speakers, to discuss topics such as hair care, makeup, first aid and self-defense. She is the daughter of William and Barbara Baker.

• Elizabeth Cook worked with the Lacey family to create a community Christmas lights display. She also collected 82 pairs of used eyeglasses for the Lions Club of Mint Hill. Cook expanded her project to include other items for local ministries: 10,000 cans of food to Jackson Park Ministries' food pantry and 65 coats each to Jackson Park, Florence Crittendon Services and Crisis Assistance Ministry. She is the daughter Tommy and Vickey Cook.

• Aubrey Crowder helped create Camp Oasis, a camp for kids while their parents were at Shriner events. The camp included movies, games, crafts, meals and snacks. It was a free service. She is the daughter of Bertie Crowder.

• Alyssa Cummins and Jamie Ingram planned the annual Father-Daughter dance in the Meck 7 District. With help from volunteers, they transformed Independence High into "A Night on the Red Carpet." More than 400 people attended. Cummings is the daughter of Amy Cummins. Ingram is the daughter of J.W. and Mary Ann Ingram.

• Binta Dixon organized a diversity fair for girls. She planned a day where young girls got a broader view of beauty and could discuss image issues. She is the daughter of Norma Culbreth and Joseph Dixon.

• Elizabeth Dobson provided knit hats for cancer patients receiving treatments at Northeast Medical Center. She delivered more than 300 hats. She is the daughter of Allen and Martha Dobson.

• Alex Fadel helped plan Camp Oasis; games and activities in a hospitality room for the burn patients at the Shriners Hospital. The room was a waiting area for families. Children could do crafts, watch movies and play games. She is the daughter of Shea and Sandra Fadel.

• Chelsea Gerhard made an author quilt to inspire children to read. She mailed fabric squares to various children's authors, asking them to autograph and return them along with answers to a list of questions. She also created a notebook with the authors' biographies, their letters to her and lists of books they'd written. Gerhard took the quilt and notebook to schools and libraries and presented a program on reading. She is the daughter of Geoff and Lori Gerhard.

• Karly Hahn designed and painted an outdoor mural at the Messiah Preschool. She worked with volunteers and artist consultants to repair and prep the area for painting. She is the daughter of Greg and Kristin Hahn.

• Lea-Ann Hamby and Mindy Hopkins developed brochures and posters to tell taxicab drivers how to be safe in their vehicles -- from when to pick up a person to keeping up with regular maintenance for the vehicle. They presented the information to drivers at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport. The information is being used statewide. Hamby is the daughter of Judy Hamby. Hopkins is the daughter of Robert and Susan Hopkins.

• Jenna Harper started an Adam's Animals chapter in Charlotte, in memory of her sister Morgan. Adam's Animals is an organization that provides stuffed animals for children and teens with cancer. She set up a drive at her school and collected more than 300 stuffed animals. She is the daughter of Mike and Bert Harper.

• Raquel Hoover opened a children's library at her church. Volunteers cleared a room, built bookshelves and decorated the walls for kids. They furnished the library with more than 300 donated books. She is the daughter of Richard and Sandra Hoover.

• Jessica Kanna made blankets for the children affected by Hurricane Katrina. Volunteers made flyers asking for materials to make the blankets. Working with Project Linus, they made 28 blankets and donated them to babies and small children at a Mississippi shelter. She is the daughter of Thomas and Marya Kanna.

• Lauren Kanna recorded books on tape for the visually impaired, with an emphasis on fifth and sixth grade reading levels. Lauren recorded 22 books. She delivered the books and tapes to the Metrolina Association for the Blind. She is the daughter of Thomas and Marya Kanna.

• Elena Klund brought the church youth group to the Urban Ministry Center and St. Peter's Soup Kitchen to educate them on homelessness and to serve lunch at the soup kitchen. She coordinated efforts throughout the year: hundreds of candy bags for Valentine's Day, cookies for dessert, sandwiches and hamburger casseroles for lunch and bread for Sunday dinner. She also started a toiletry drive at her church. She is the daughter of Tim and Evelyn Klund.

• Christine Lawson developed an herb-and-vegetable garden and exhibit for the Nature Museum in Charlotte. The gardens are being used as an exhibit and to raise food for the animals that live at the museum. She set up a schedule for groups to maintain the gardens and instructed museum staff of how to care for them. She also created a brochure about the herbs. She is the daughter of Tim and Mary Lou Lawson.

• Sarah Leach did several projects at Camp Tekoa, a Methodist Camp that she's attended. She built fences around several propane tanks and made a sign for the exit of the camp. She is the daughter of Matthew and Laura Leach.

• Megan Louya helped preserve the words on many gravestones damaged by acid rain and vandalism at Mallard Creek Presbyterian Church. She created rubbings from the pre-Civil War era cemetery that will be included in the historical room at the church. She is the daughter of William and Penny Louya.

• Kayla McCormick taught classmates about different German holidays. She researched four holidays and made a class presentation and Web site for the students to view. During the presentations, she made crafts and served snacks. She is the daughter of Garry and Jan McCormick.

• Deana Messer created a Valentine Brownie Olympics. She wanted to create a fun event where Brownies could learn sportsmanship and build self-esteem. Her event included the long jump, 10-meter dash and jump rope. Her goal was for Brownies to cheer on each other and boost their self-confidence. She is the daughter of Denise Brissie.

• Danielle Mingus collected 500 new baby items for homeless shelters in her area. Volunteers collected things for the Salvation Army and the women's shelter. The items were assembled for new mother kits. She is the daughter of Terry Richards.

• Christine O'Brien hosted an Adolescent Health Fair, focusing on obesity. The fair was at her church's family center. Students talked with health instructors about eating habits. Young people also tried activities, games, healthy foods and exercise. She is the daughter of Joseph and Nancy O'Brien.

• Erin Petruso made fleece Blankets of Love for needy children. She made 111 blankets for the Family Center and the Battered Women's Shelter. She organized two separate sleepovers to teach others how to make the blankets. She is the daughter of Jon and Ann Petruso.

• Leann Presley coordinated a school supplies drive for Classroom Central, an organization that allows teachers to select free supplies for students who cannot afford to buy their own. She motivated friends, family, fellow church members and neighbors to contribute more than 1,000 pounds of school supplies. She is the daughter of Clay and Carol Presley.

• Kylie Rethage collected items for activity kits for 100 juvenile burn victims. The children are from the Carolinas, Virginia and Ohio. Volunteers collected games, playing cards, puzzles, books, crayons, markers, CDs and more. The children can use the kits waiting to see their doctors. She is the daughter of Chris and Mica Minor.

• Chelsea Robertson and Vicky Spisak designed a plan to restore land at the Catawba Land Conservatory. Robertson led bench construction and helped establish the major trail design. Spisak worked with representatives from the conservancy and the Town of Weddington to develop a master plan for the property. She recruited other Girl and Boy Scouts to continue the work of the small natural park. Chelsea is the daughter of Ron and Lauren Robertson. Vicky is the daughter of Mark and Ginny Spisak.

• Amanda Rushing assembled spa and care packages for the women and children at the Hope Haven battered women's shelter. She assembled 41 large spa bags and 15 child bags; she wanted to make the public aware of domestic violence in the community. She is the daughter of Ray and Debbie Rushing.

• Halli Sigal made a video of Holocaust survivors currently living in the Charlotte area. She had survivors tell their stories. She is the daughter of Marvin Sigal and Margie Sigal.

• Sarah Smith organized an Earth Saver's Fair to promote environmental awareness. Topics presented at the fair include resource use and conservation, water pollution, car emissions and smog. She is the daughter of Randy and Peggy Smith.

• Amanda Tamayo completed 71 books on tape/CD and turned them in to the Child Life Center at Carolinas Medical Center. When she delivered the books, she read with the children. She is the daughter of Ruben and Martha Tamayo.

• Lauren Teddy helped the Shriners Children's Hospitals. She helped create Camp Oasis for children while their parents were at Shriners events. It was a weekend in November. She planned crafts, games and meals for the children. She is the daughter of Daryl and Karen Teddy.

• Katherine Webber collected sneakers for a "poverty stricken" area in Kentucky. Volunteers collected and cleaned 250 pairs of sneakers of all sizes. They contacted St. Gabriel Catholic Church, which agreed to deliver the shoes and other items during its mission trip. She is the daughter of Peggy Webber.

• Kristin Wetherby wrote, directed and produced a play called "The Christmas Shoes," based on the book and song of the same name. She arranged for a videographer and a sign language interpreter for the performance. She also collected donated shoes and delivered 125 pairs to Crisis Assistance Ministry. She is the daughter of Tim and Jennifer Wetherby.

• Becky Ausband created an indoor arena at Joshua's Farm. She redesigned a space in a storage barn so riders could continue therapy during cold, windy or inclement weather. She is the daughter of Terry and Vernon Ausband.

• Katie Baker created a health fair targeting girls ages 9-12. Katie recruited professionals, friends and other Girl Scouts as guest speakers, to discuss topics such as hair care, makeup, first aid and self-defense. She is the daughter of William and Barbara Baker.

• Elizabeth Cook worked with the Lacey family to create a community Christmas lights display. She also collected 82 pairs of used eyeglasses for the Lions Club of Mint Hill. Cook expanded her project to include other items for local ministries: 10,000 cans of food to Jackson Park Ministries' food pantry and 65 coats each to Jackson Park, Florence Crittendon Services and Crisis Assistance Ministry. She is the daughter Tommy and Vickey Cook.

• Aubrey Crowder helped create Camp Oasis, a camp for kids while their parents were at Shriner events. The camp included movies, games, crafts, meals and snacks. It was a free service. She is the daughter of Bertie Crowder.

• Alyssa Cummins and Jamie Ingram planned the annual Father-Daughter dance in the Meck 7 District. With help from volunteers, they transformed Independence High into "A Night on the Red Carpet." More than 400 people attended. Cummings is the daughter of Amy Cummins. Ingram is the daughter of J.W. and Mary Ann Ingram.

• Binta Dixon organized a diversity fair for girls. She planned a day where young girls got a broader view of beauty and could discuss image issues. She is the daughter of Norma Culbreth and Joseph Dixon.

• Elizabeth Dobson provided knit hats for cancer patients receiving treatments at Northeast Medical Center. She delivered more than 300 hats. She is the daughter of Allen and Martha Dobson.

• Alex Fadel helped plan Camp Oasis; games and activities in a hospitality room for the burn patients at the Shriners Hospital. The room was a waiting area for families. Children could do crafts, watch movies and play games. She is the daughter of Shea and Sandra Fadel.

• Chelsea Gerhard made an author quilt to inspire children to read. She mailed fabric squares to various children's authors, asking them to autograph and return them along with answers to a list of questions. She also created a notebook with the authors' biographies, their letters to her and lists of books they'd written. Gerhard took the quilt and notebook to schools and libraries and presented a program on reading. She is the daughter of Geoff and Lori Gerhard.

• Karly Hahn designed and painted an outdoor mural at the Messiah Preschool. She worked with volunteers and artist consultants to repair and prep the area for painting. She is the daughter of Greg and Kristin Hahn.

• Lea-Ann Hamby and Mindy Hopkins developed brochures and posters to tell taxicab drivers how to be safe in their vehicles -- from when to pick up a person to keeping up with regular maintenance for the vehicle. They presented the information to drivers at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport. The information is being used statewide. Hamby is the daughter of Judy Hamby. Hopkins is the daughter of Robert and Susan Hopkins.

• Jenna Harper started an Adam's Animals chapter in Charlotte, in memory of her sister Morgan. Adam's Animals is an organization that provides stuffed animals for children and teens with cancer. She set up a drive at her school and collected more than 300 stuffed animals. She is the daughter of Mike and Bert Harper.

• Raquel Hoover opened a children's library at her church. Volunteers cleared a room, built bookshelves and decorated the walls for kids. They furnished the library with more than 300 donated books. She is the daughter of Richard and Sandra Hoover.

• Jessica Kanna made blankets for the children affected by Hurricane Katrina. Volunteers made flyers asking for materials to make the blankets. Working with Project Linus, they made 28 blankets and donated them to babies and small children at a Mississippi shelter. She is the daughter of Thomas and Marya Kanna.

• Lauren Kanna recorded books on tape for the visually impaired, with an emphasis on fifth and sixth grade reading levels. Lauren recorded 22 books. She delivered the books and tapes to the Metrolina Association for the Blind. She is the daughter of Thomas and Marya Kanna.

• Elena Klund brought the church youth group to the Urban Ministry Center and St. Peter's Soup Kitchen to educate them on homelessness and to serve lunch at the soup kitchen. She coordinated efforts throughout the year: hundreds of candy bags for Valentine's Day, cookies for dessert, sandwiches and hamburger casseroles for lunch and bread for Sunday dinner. She also started a toiletry drive at her church. She is the daughter of Tim and Evelyn Klund.

• Christine Lawson developed an herb-and-vegetable garden and exhibit for the Nature Museum in Charlotte. The gardens are being used as an exhibit and to raise food for the animals that live at the museum. She set up a schedule for groups to maintain the gardens and instructed museum staff of how to care for them. She also created a brochure about the herbs. She is the daughter of Tim and Mary Lou Lawson.

• Sarah Leach did several projects at Camp Tekoa, a Methodist Camp that she's attended. She built fences around several propane tanks and made a sign for the exit of the camp. She is the daughter of Matthew and Laura Leach.

• Megan Louya helped preserve the words on many gravestones damaged by acid rain and vandalism at Mallard Creek Presbyterian Church. She created rubbings from the pre-Civil War era cemetery that will be included in the historical room at the church. She is the daughter of William and Penny Louya.

• Kayla McCormick taught classmates about different German holidays. She researched four holidays and made a class presentation and Web site for the students to view. During the presentations, she made crafts and served snacks. She is the daughter of Garry and Jan McCormick.

• Deana Messer created a Valentine Brownie Olympics. She wanted to create a fun event where Brownies could learn sportsmanship and build self-esteem. Her event included the long jump, 10-meter dash and jump rope. Her goal was for Brownies to cheer on each other and boost their self-confidence. She is the daughter of Denise Brissie.

• Danielle Mingus collected 500 new baby items for homeless shelters in her area. Volunteers collected things for the Salvation Army and the women's shelter. The items were assembled for new mother kits. She is the daughter of Terry Richards.

• Christine O'Brien hosted an Adolescent Health Fair, focusing on obesity. The fair was at her church's family center. Students talked with health instructors about eating habits. Young people also tried activities, games, healthy foods and exercise. She is the daughter of Joseph and Nancy O'Brien.

• Erin Petruso made fleece Blankets of Love for needy children. She made 111 blankets for the Family Center and the Battered Women's Shelter. She organized two separate sleepovers to teach others how to make the blankets. She is the daughter of Jon and Ann Petruso.

• Leann Presley coordinated a school supplies drive for Classroom Central, an organization that allows teachers to select free supplies for students who cannot afford to buy their own. She motivated friends, family, fellow church members and neighbors to contribute more than 1,000 pounds of school supplies. She is the daughter of Clay and Carol Presley.

• Kylie Rethage collected items for activity kits for 100 juvenile burn victims. The children are from the Carolinas, Virginia and Ohio. Volunteers collected games, playing cards, puzzles, books, crayons, markers, CDs and more. The children can use the kits waiting to see their doctors. She is the daughter of Chris and Mica Minor.

• Chelsea Robertson and Vicky Spisak designed a plan to restore land at the Catawba Land Conservatory. Robertson led bench construction and helped establish the major trail design. Spisak worked with representatives from the conservancy and the Town of Weddington to develop a master plan for the property. She recruited other Girl and Boy Scouts to continue the work of the small natural park. Chelsea is the daughter of Ron and Lauren Robertson. Vicky is the daughter of Mark and Ginny Spisak.

• Amanda Rushing assembled spa and care packages for the women and children at the Hope Haven battered women's shelter. She assembled 41 large spa bags and 15 child bags; she wanted to make the public aware of domestic violence in the community. She is the daughter of Ray and Debbie Rushing.

• Halli Sigal made a video of Holocaust survivors currently living in the Charlotte area. She had survivors tell their stories. She is the daughter of Marvin Sigal and Margie Sigal.

• Sarah Smith organized an Earth Saver's Fair to promote environmental awareness. Topics presented at the fair include resource use and conservation, water pollution, car emissions and smog. She is the daughter of Randy and Peggy Smith.

• Amanda Tamayo completed 71 books on tape/CD and turned them in to the Child Life Center at Carolinas Medical Center. When she delivered the books, she read with the children. She is the daughter of Ruben and Martha Tamayo.

• Lauren Teddy helped the Shriners Children's Hospitals. She helped create Camp Oasis for children while their parents were at Shriners events. It was a weekend in November. She planned crafts, games and meals for the children. She is the daughter of Daryl and Karen Teddy.

• Katherine Webber collected sneakers for a "poverty stricken" area in Kentucky. Volunteers collected and cleaned 250 pairs of sneakers of all sizes. They contacted St. Gabriel Catholic Church, which agreed to deliver the shoes and other items during its mission trip. She is the daughter of Peggy Webber.

• Kristin Wetherby wrote, directed and produced a play called "The Christmas Shoes," based on the book and song of the same name. She arranged for a videographer and a sign language interpreter for the performance. She also collected donated shoes and delivered 125 pairs to Crisis Assistance Ministry. She is the daughter of Tim and Jennifer Wetherby.