OXFORD – The First Heart of Girl Scouting, a special Girl Scout award ceremony, was held on May 31 in the Oxford Academy High School auditorium. It was a multi-unit event to honor Daisys, Brownies, Juniors, Cadets, Seniors and adult volunteers. Ceremonious candles were lit signifying the Levels of Scouting which included the three highest Girl Scout awards, the Bronze, Silver and Gold. That evening, seven Girl Scouts received their Ten-Year Award pins and two Senior Girl Scouts were presented with the Gold Award. The recognition served to not only show appreciation and instill pride, but also to inspire younger members to reach “for the gold.”

Oxford Troops and leaders present were Linda Meek of Daisy Troop 358, Sue Myers of Senior Girl Scouts Troop 711, Denise and Gary Moore of (multi-level) Girl Scouts Troop 473, Dawn Golden and co-leader Darlene Beckwith of Senior Girl Scouts Troop 572. Denise Moore is also the Service Unit Manager. Maryrose Maiurano is the Membership Manager for Chenango County.

Sue Myers, Leader, for 13 years, of Service Unit 632 of Oxford, had the honor of awarding two of her Senior Girl Scouts with the highest Girl Scouting award possible, the Girl Scout Gold Award. Shelby Myers and Erica DeWispelaere, seniors in Oxford Academy High School, both received the coveted Girl Scout Gold Award. They’ve been scouting for 13 years, starting as Daisys when they were just five-years-old. They are the first Girl Scouts in Oxford to receive all three – the Bronze (received in 2003), Silver (2006) and Gold awards.

Not many people outside of Scouting know about the Girl Scout Gold Award. Some of the criteria involved for the GS Gold Award project are: a community need, creating a change, and hopefully creating something/an impact that will last. The project needs to have a long-term use within the community and encompass organizational, leadership, and networking skills.

Typically it takes two to three years of intensive work for a girl to complete the requirements, develop a Gold Award project, and complete the project itself. The Girl Scout must log at least 65 combined hours of leadership and career exploration. It’s so challenging to complete that few girls ever achieve it. Last year, only about 5% of the eligible registered Girl Scouts nationwide received this award. It’s not surprising that it’s been ten years since the last two Gold Award recipients were honored in Oxford!

Shelby Myers won her Gold Award for creating and installing “Pet Waste Bag Dispenser Stations”, an inexpensive, environmentally friendly solution to an unsanitary problem. Shelby thanked Oxford Village Mayor Stark, her parents, and the Troxells of Gallery 3-2-1 for all their understanding and support.