Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Girl Scouts Remember

We are all so saddened by the tragic event that took place at Sandy Hook in Newtown, CT. We will be collecting trefoil art with thoughts, prayers, kind words, written on them to send to the Girl Scouts of Connecticut, for use at their memorial service to be held mid-January. Our hearts go out to the families and friends and the whole town of Newtown. For more information please visit our facebook page or Girl Scouts of Connecticut.


Submitted by: Jennifer Alvarez

Fort Polk Girl Scout Brownie Troop 2058 met Tuesday December 18th for their regular weekly meeting at the Fort Polk Girl Scout hut.  Due to recent events, the meeting was unlike what the troop has ever done, or even prepared for.  With hearts breaking around the world due to the recent tragedy in Connecticut, more information has been learned about the twenty children who perished because of a lone shooter in an elementary school.  Out of the twenty children; eight were boys, twelve were girls, and out of the girls, eight were Girl Scout Daisies, and two of the boys were part of a Girl Scout family. 

Even though we live hundreds of miles from Connecticut, our hearts have been touched by these events and the affected families.  Brownie Troop 2058, joined by members from Senior/Ambassador Troop 2178, took some time to pay respects to our Girl Scouts sisters and their families, as well as all who are affected by the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary school.  The girls wore green and were able to ask questions and express their feelings with their girl scout sisters.  Senior/Ambassador troop leader Cathy Scott expressed that "The girls are there for each other and the younger girls are free to talk to the older girls.  That is what we are sisters for."  The girls lit a candle representing our girl scout sisters, and said a prayer for the families of all twenty-six children and adults who are no longer with us.  

 Each girl expressed their sadness, prayed silently, or prayed for the group.  Julie Samples, Brownie Troop 2058 leader, stated "We needed to show our respect and sadness and have a safe place to do so."  Jennifer Alvarez, co-leader troop 2058, stated "We let the girls know that we have to move forward and not allow tragedies scare us from continuing our movement.  If anything, this had made us more determined to lead young girls to become strong, independent adults."  Some girls expressed their fear for going to school, and all troop leaders present  maintained that schools are a safe place, and that they will continue to lead girls to becoming future leaders through courage, character, and confidence.  One Brownie, age 8, had suggestions as to how to make our schools safer.  She suggested no student should be allowed to go to the bathroom without a "battle buddy".  "These young girls are our future leaders, policy makers, law makers, and security.  We have a big job to do to teach them to remain strong and looking forward", stated Jennifer Alvarez.