with gratitude for our volunteers' contributions in the 2025 membership year
Letter from the CEO
Welcome to the 2026 Volunteer Recognition Ceremony!
Tonight, we gather with one shared truth at the heart of our celebration: together, we shine.
That radiance exists because of you—our dedicated, inspiring, and compassionate volunteers—who give your time, talents, and unwavering commitment to make Girl Scouting a transformative experience for thousands of girls. Your light reaches farther than you may ever know. When you show up, when you listen, when you mentor, you help every girl discover her own brilliance. And when she shines, we all shine brighter.
As we reflect on the past year—a time marked by profound uncertainty and loss amid the Los Angeles wildfires—we do so with deep gratitude for the kindness and strength demonstrated across our communities. In difficult times, Girl Scouts show up. You showed up. Because of you, over 34,000 girls had a support system during one of the most devastating natural disasters in California history. For many who lost their homes and schools, Girl Scouts was the one constant—a place of comfort, connection, and hope; a bright and steady light.
The theme of this year’s ceremony—together, we shine—reflects the spirit that makes Girl Scouting so powerful. When volunteers, families, and girls come together with care and purpose, something extraordinary happens. Curiosity is inspired, confidence is nurtured, space is created for girls to own their sparkle.
Dearest volunteers, you are the light behind this movement, and we are deeply grateful for everything you do to open doors, illuminate possibilities, and brighten the future for our Girl Scouts. Thank you for being part of this journey and for supporting our girls—and our communities—in shining today, tomorrow, and always.
Yours in Girl Scouting,
Theresa Edy Kiene Chief Executive Officer
THANKS BADGE II
Priya Kumar Bradfield
THANKS BADGE
Danelle Jiron
Lana Saucedo
PLATINUM SERVICE AWARD
Michelle Apolonio
Susan Day
Tina Diem
Bonnie George
Dr. Lisette Gold
Denise Gutches
Sharon Lei Hager
Linda Haverman
Deborah HessWakeland
Karla Hufenbach
Angela Juranek
Janet KC-Jordan
Melissa Lynch
Gail Testa
Tania Van Herle
Deidre Welborn
Lisa Working
Michelle Wroan
HEART IN HAND
Emily Baker
Grant Bierling
Rachel Bierner
Micaela Dempsey
Jeanette DePatie
Samantha Feinstein
Connie Fuller
Daniel Galvan
Danielle Gray
Ali Guthy
Shelly Imler
2025 Volunteer Awardees
Ilene Knebel
Cynthia Moran
Jessica Ortiz
Cora Quon
Stephanie Ragle
Bolsa Chica Conservancy
Represented by Carissa
Macias and Jo Ann Canty Macias
Alie Rosenthal
Jasmin Sandidge
Nick Sherwood
Michelle VanLerberghe
HONOR PIN
Lissa (Flicker) Alfred
Angela Arnold-Brownlee
Liz Busque
Kimberly Crawford
Penny De Santis
Jaimee Drew
Gwendolyn Dreyer
Corrin Gil Richard
Gloria Halfacre
Dawn Hentrich
Heather Hetrick
Helen Hurston
Melissa Lynch
Lynn Mack-Costello
Arlene Mansour
Elizabeth (Beth) Miles
Ted Oyama
Kristi Schlachet
Darlene Torres
Kathy Vigil
Wendy Wood
APPRECIATION PIN
Margaret Aghili
Kristen Angelica
Maureen Bosanko
Dianne Belli
Nicole Blute
Kendra Bolan
Laurie Boustany
Susan Bradley
Andriana
Burkhammer-Flores
Erica Calles
Katie Carman
Renee Carpenter
Cheryl Chaix
Naomi Chan
Jen Clarke
Dana Clausen
Danelle Cole
Jennifer Crull
Cozette Csoke
Ana Cristina Dacaret
Sabrina Damast
Suzanne Dehmel
Lauren Dennis, Christina Laybon, and Haru Hui, on behalf of The Art Box Academy
Leeann Diaz
Jessica Donahue
Rosa Echeverria
Linsey Fornaca
Jocelyn Freitas
Bryce Fukuji
Angela Gaines
Noel Gilchrist
Beth Godfrey
Nikki Gomez
Carina Gonzalez
Christina Gramond
Candice Granzow
Jenny Greene
Renee Groskreutz
Lauren Guber
Monica Haley
Chrissy Haring
Annie Heller-Gutwillig
Rocio Herrera
Kori Hojo
Judy Hong
Paquita Hughes
Jasmine Jaffe
Darryinn James
Maria Jenkins
Cheryl JohnsonHartwell
Heather Jones
Regina Karchner
Laura Katayama
Jess Kelly
Gloria Kim
Janny Kum
Alicia Lafaurie
Mario LaFaurie
Maggie Lan Le
Soo Lee
Judy Lee
Sally Lopez
Phan Luc
Ryan Lynch
Maria del Pilar Mari
Cindy Matsubayashi
Jennifer McLaughlin
Malissa Medina
Veronica Mendoza
Andrea Moreno
Heidi Mountjoy
Brittany Mosquera
Jeannette Mullins
Catherine MymanKaplan
Brandy Nakano
Marlene Neal
Linh Nguyen
Lynn Nguyen
Linda Nikravan
Liz Noriega
Monica Ortega
Lanissa Patterson
Lyndsay Petersen
Susana Plazola
Nydia Recinos-Garcia
Teresa Revis
Jacqueline Rivera
Amy Robertson
Beth Rolandson
Maria Roque
Francene Schaefer
Christine Schmitz
Jo Simmons
Amber Spence
Vienna St. Dennis
Melanie Taub
Isabell Terry
Christa Thompson
Azusena Valdez
Lisa Van Every
Yvette Villa
Kristie Vogel
Lana Wong
YEARS
OF SERVICE AWARD
25 Years of Service
Heather Hetrick
Christie Crahan
Erin Garcia
Susan Hadfield
Heather Hufenbach
Susan Murray
Maria Roque
Jasmin Sandidge
Trina Soto
30 Years of Service
Becky Fish
Lori Oseguera
Susanne Skaggs
35 Years of Service
Rachel Banks
DiAne Cabanne
Heather Scott
Gloria Sironi
Minisa Volden
2025 Volunteer Awardees
40 Years of Service
Linda Haverman
Rita Rivera
50 Years of Service
Jermaine Beckett
Linda Harmon
Karla Hufenbach
60 Years of Service
Aleta Howland
Pat Tjosaas
NUMERAL GUARD AWARD
30 Years
Liz Busque
Rebecca Oseguera
Ebby Sironi
Kazue "Vicki" Tokirio
35 Years
Linnea Bunnell
Lori Oseguera
Sarah Smith
40 Years
Margaret "Peggy" Brewer
Heather Hufenbach
Minisa Volden
45 Years
Jessica Cardenas
Rita Rivera
50 Years
Jermaine Beckett
Becky Fish
Susan Hadfield
Linda Harmon
Heather Scott
60 Years
Gloria Sironi
65 Years
Karla Hufenbach
Pat Tjosaas
70 Years
Carolyn "Sandy" Chaille
Christie Crahan
Aleta Howland
75 Years
Barbara Colliander
Nancy Emch
PRESIDENT’S AWARD
Bonita Service Unit
Burbank Service Unit
Canyon Star Service Unit
El Segundo Service Unit
Holly Hills Service Unit
King Harbor Service Unit
La Cañada Service Unit
Lakewood Service Unit
Marina Service Unit
North Redondo Service Unit
North River Service Unit
Rancho Foothills Service Unit
Sagebrush Service Unit
San Pedro Service Unit
Santa Monica Bay Service Unit
South Torrance Service Unit
Upland Service Unit
West Covina Service Unit
Juliette Gordon Low Society
Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles thanks our Juliette Gordon Low Society members for honoring future generations of Girl Scouts.
Anonymous
LaNease Adams
Lissa Alfred
Erik and Eva Andersen Girl Scout Movement-wide Challenge Planned Gift
Lisa Axelrod
Carolyn Baker
The Barr Family on behalf of the Kendall Family Trust
David A. and Julie Battaglia
Julie and Kenneth Beals
Dianne Belk and Lawrence Calder Girl Scout Movement-wide Challenge Planned Gift
Diane Belk and Lawrence Calder
Betty Berdiansky
Stephen Bolkovatz
Gail I. Boyle
Moira Brady
Betsey L. and Donald Brewer
Michele Broadnax
Chrystal Broesel
Constance L. Burg
Amy Caponpon
Jessica Cardenas
Leslie Carlson
Katy Carlson
Charles Carroll
Elizabeth Chadwick
Hailyn J. Chen
Rachel Ivy Clarke
Patricia A. and Curtis Crider
Phyllis E. Currie
Christine A. Dean and Rosemary Veniegas
Carol M. Dedrich
Isabella Del Gaudio
Steven DePaul
Katharine DeShaw and Mark McConnell
Jennifer N. Devereaux
Elisabeth L. Dick
Juanita Doplemore
Barry and Peggy Edwards
Theresa Edy Kiene and Matthew Kiene
Sonia Endler
Renee W. Fraser, PhD
Liisa and Michael Froggatt
Linda and Jay Griffey
Diane K. Grohulski
Denise Gutches
Gloria and Bob Halfacre
Linda Haverman
Joseph Hirsch
Erika Homan
Denise Hsu
Karla and Gary Hufenbach
Alana Hyman
Laurie and Hannah Jacobs
Sherry Lapides
Lise L. Luttgens
Lynn Mack-Costello and Joseph Costello
Megan Martin and Brian
Long
Toni Martinez-Burgoyne and Rod Burgoyne
Karen Masini
Kelly and Jason Maxwell
Gina McLeod
Ann Moore
Frances M. Moreno
William M. Nelson
Kathryn E. Nielsen
Denise and Ken Nowack
Erin and Jason Oremland
Adrienne Pacheco
Marie Hamer Parco
Melissa and Martino Pepe
Sharis Peters
Aileen O. Poehls
Janice Rector
Elisabeth Rendeiro
Leanne J. Rodgers
Sylvia and Paul Rosenberger
Margaret Rosenthal
Shamira Sadler
Danielle Sager-Ebling
Michelle and Robert Sarrow
Ron Schrantz
Yvonne and Robert Schueller
Steve Shelton
Ellen E. and Robert F. Swarts
Chara N. Swodeck
Cortney Szlemp
Francesca Taylor and Ann Giagni
Cindy and Ben Tenn
Shelley B. Thompson
Tania Van Herle
PJ Walker
Diane Weaver
Harry S. Webb
Janet Whaley and Steven Preston
Michelle C. Wroan
Brenda J. Zamzow
Margaret B. Zarate
Find out about donation options here:
Thanks Badge II
The Thanks Badge II honors a previous Thanks Badge award recipient who has continued to provide exemplary service in a leadership role. This is an adult volunteer who has delivered outstanding service to the council or the entire Girl Scout Movement by taking a leadership role at the council level, expanding membership growth and retention, increasing funding, and innovating council-wide program opportunities.
Thanks Badge
2025 Thanks Badge II Recipient
PRIYA KUMAR BRADFIELD
Canyon Star
"The Girl Scouts' sisterhood is powerful. We make our community stronger through the good we do out there. Girl Scouts is a strong and much-needed force for good. Personally, Girl Scouts has impacted my life because I have found forever friends who are like-minded and dear to my heart!”
The Thanks Badge recognizes an adult volunteer who has delivered outstanding service to the council or the entire Girl Scout Movement by taking a leadership role at the council level, expanding membership growth and retention, increasing funding, and innovating council-wide program opportunities.
2025 Thanks Badge Recipients
DANELLE JIRON
Crown Poppy
“Girl Scouts means belonging. It means watching girls discover who they are and realizing they are stronger, braver, and more capable than they ever imagined. It means creating a space where girls can take risks, try new things, lead boldly, and know they are supported every step of the way.
To me, Girl Scouts is sisterhood in action. It’s showing up for one another in moments of celebration and in moments of hardship. It’s service rooted in compassion. It’s leadership built on courage. It’s community that feels like family.
Girl Scouts means giving girls the opportunity to write their own stories — to earn the patches, take the trips, sell the cookies, lead the projects, and discover their voice. And it means watching those stories continue long after they outgrow their vests. It’s more than meetings or badges. It’s resilience. It’s empowerment. It’s lifelong connection.”
LANA SAUCEDO
Crown Poppy
“Girl Scouts offers a place to be curious, a place to grow, and a place belong within oneself, community, and the world. I am fortunate Girl Scouts has given me just that. It has granted me the ability to flourish and provided me with countless memories filled with joy, laughter, and love.
Being a Girl Scout is more than selling cookies and going camping. I believe that to be a Girl Scout is to be in service of others in all aspects of life. Being a Girl Scout is being resilient in difficult situations. Being a Girl Scout is being kind to anyone we encounter. Being a Girl Scout is being supportive of everyone’s individuality. Being a Girl Scout is having courage to stand when no one does. Being a Girl Scout is becoming a leader when no one else wants to lead. Being a Girl Scout is an adventure.”
Platinum Service Award
The Platinum Service Award recognizes an outstanding adult volunteer who continues to give simultaneous service to her or his service unit as well as their region or the entire council for at least three years after receiving previous national awards. This council honor is awarded to an adult volunteer who served in two different positions simultaneously, including in the service unit and the region or the council; a volunteer who has provided consistent highquality service beyond the expectations of the position and has given service in a manner that sets a positive example for others.
2025 Platinum Service Award Recipients*
MICHELLE APOLONIO
La Brea Heights
“The biggest highlight of the last membership year for me has been seeing the increasing number of black and brown girls that are participating in Gold Award Workshops and working towards earning their Gold Award.”
SUSAN DAY
West Covina
“The Girl Scouts I know donate their time to help our community. They clean and care for it. They speak up for those without a voice and come together when others are in need.”
TINA DIEM
North River
“In the 24/25 membership year, three of Troop 7192's Girls completed 13 years of Girl Scouts together. The Troop fully funded a week-long celebratory trip to Pax Lodge in London. All of our Girls have earned Bronze and Silver Awards, and one made Gold Award Class of 2025!”
DR. LISETTE GOLD
Marina
“One of the highlights of the last membership year was I started a Girl Scout Gold Award Mentoring workshop at the Santa Monica Elks Lodge to bring Girl Scouts together to share their experiences and to learn from Adult Leaders.”
DENISE GUTCHES
Executive Committee
“Girl Scouts represents the power of investing in girls at a formative time in their lives. It provides a place where girls can build confidence, courage, character, and leadership skills, and discover their own voice in a supportive and encouraging community. What I admire most is how GSGLA helps girls see possibilities for themselves— whether in their education, careers, or service to others. Being part of an organization that consistently lifts up the next generation of women leaders is both inspiring and deeply meaningful to me.”
LINDA HAVERMAN
Lakewood
“Having volunteered now for 40 years, Girl Scouts has taught me so much and definitely helped me grow through the many adventures I’ve taken with my troops. Not only learning many skills but truly realizing what a wonderful sisterhood we have in Girl Scouts. We support each other through fun times and trying times. It’s a learning experience for us as well as the girls.”
DEBORAH HESS-WAKELAND Canyon Star
“I've been involved in Girl Scouts since I was 6 years old. I was a Girl Scout for 10 years and then became my daughter's leader in 1992, and I've been leading since then. This has been a lifetime association that empowered me to be a Software Engineer and Program Manager for 40 years. But I've always had time to give to others, and this gives me the opportunity to watch girls grow and reach for their potential.”
*Some honorees did not submit a quote, please see page 2 for the full list of 2025 honorees.
2025 Platinum Service Award Recipients
KARLA HUFENBACH
Lakewood
“Girl Scouts, through our Service Unit troops and volunteers, give service to the cities that are in our SU geographic area. Our troops are out in the communities we serve they participate in holiday parades, Earth Day activities, city cleanups, recruitment for Council, volunteer for the Downey Rose Float Association, and troops lead monthly flag salutes at City Council meetings. Of course, they are out in force at cookie booths selling product but also giving a positive Girl Scout representation to the community.”
ANGELA JURANEK
Holly Hills
“Girl Scouts is a place where girls and volunteers from all backgrounds can get together to share ideas, learn new things, and really make a difference in our community.”
JANET KC-JORDAN
Canyon Star
“Girl Scouts has always been a place where girls can grow and learn in a supportive environment where anything is possible.”
MELISSA LYNCH
Canyon Star
“My community is chock full of Girl Scouts. They have proven to be leaders, top-notch volunteers, service-minded young women and not afraid to speak out for what is right.”
GAIL TESTA
Lakewood
“To me, Girl Scouts is where courage is practiced before it is required. It is a place where girls are trusted with responsibility before they fully believe they are ready, and in that process, they grow. It allows room for vulnerability without lowering expectations. It teaches resilience through lived experience: a difficult conversation, a long booth shift, a project strengthened through perseverance rather than abandoned.
Having grown alongside this organization, I have come to understand something enduring: when girls are supported and challenged in equal measure, they begin to see themselves differently. And once that shift happens, from uncertainty to ownership, the course of a life quietly changes.”
TANIA VAN HERLE
Executive Committee
“Girl Scouts means hope in action to me. Serving on the board has been a true gift, and I feel a deep sense of fulfillment witnessing the strength, courage, and competence that the girls demonstrate every day. In uncertain and fast-changing times, I see GSGLA as a steady beacon—empowering young women to lead with confidence, character, and resilience.”
DEIDRE WELBORN
Holly Hills
“Girl Scouts has impacted my community in ways that go far beyond badges and cookie booths. Over the past eight years, it has created a space where girls have grown into confident, compassionate young women, and where moms have built meaningful, lasting friendships.
Through meetings, service projects, events, and countless shared milestones, our troop has created a support system not just for our girls, but for each other. We’ve watched our daughters learn leadership, responsibility, and courage. They’ve learned how to speak up, serve others, work as a team, and navigate a world that is constantly changing.”
LISA WORKING
Canyon Star
“By encouraging our members to discover their world, connect with issues that matter to them, and take action in large and small ways, Girl Scouts empowers young leaders who create real, positive change in the community.”
MICHELLE WROAN
Executive Committee
“Girl Scouts instilled in me the belief that I could do hard things, helped me develop confidence and resilience, and shaped how I approach challenges throughout my life. Those early experiences supported my journey as the first in my family to attend college, influenced my career path, and continue to guide my commitment to helping others— especially women—dream bigger and advance one step at a time. Girl Scouts is not just part of my past; it is a lifelong identity and set of values I’m proud to carry forward and pass on to the next generation.”
*Some honorees did not submit a quote, please see page 2 for the full list of 2025 honorees.
Heart in Hand Pin
The Heart in Hand Pin is a GSGLA council specific award that recognizes an individual or organization whose outstanding service has significantly benefited the council or multiple service units. The award honors impactful contributions made by an adult member, non member, or community organization and highlights nominees who demonstrate skill, dedication, and meaningful support of the Girl Scout mission across the council.
2025 Heart in Hand Recipients*
EMILY BAKER
Industry Expert
“The Girl Scout highlight of the last mentorship year was getting to take Girl Scouts on an extremely rare behind the scenes location at the Natural History Museum: the rattlesnake room!”
RACHEL BIERNER
Industry Expert
“Girl Scouts represents courage, curiosity, and leadership at an early age. As Project Cyber is an organization committed to inspiring and empowering girls to succeed in cybersecurity, we deeply value Girl Scouts’ mission to build girls of confidence, character, and competence. Our partnership allows us to introduce cybersecurity in a way that is age-appropriate, hands-on, and aligned with the Girl Scouts values of service and sisterhood. To us, Girl Scouts is more than a program; it is a powerful platform for shaping the next generation of women leaders in technology, and we are excited to continue growing and expanding this partnership.”
MICAELA DEMPSEY
Industry Expert
“For the last two years, we have welcomed around 200 Girl Scouts to the Petersen Automotive Museum to earn their Automotive Engineering Series Badges and the Car Care Badge. It is incredible to see that Girl Scouts is supporting engineering and design education. Every Scout we have worked with is engaged, creative, and fiercely dedicated to perfecting their design. The Petersen Automotive Museum is thrilled to continue partnering with Girl Scouts and welcoming troops to our museum to earn their badges.”
JEANETTE DEPATIE
Industry Expert
“I love working with Girl Scouts and am deeply impressed at what an amazing job they have done in staying up to date and relevant in helping Girl Scouts achieve their goals. I have been with the Girl Scouts since childhood and love all that they offer to help young people be bold, confident and powerful allies in their communities.”
CONNIE FULLER
Industry Expert
“Girl Scouts means giving girls a place where they feel supported, capable, and empowered to grow into who they are meant to be.
To me, it represents community, confidence, and the belief that when girls are given the right tools and encouragement, they can lead with kindness, resilience, and courage in every part of their lives.”
DANIELLE GRAY
Industry Expert
“Girl Scouts means creating long-lasting friendships and life skills through shared experiences with your troop. It means learning to interact and socialize with your peers, as well as pushing you outside of your comfort zone and acclimate to interacting with adults. It molds you into a successful, confident member of society.”
SHELLY IMLER
Chino Hills
“My favorite event of 2024/2025 was Girl Scouts Love State Parks weekend. During this event, the program that I created brought in hundreds of scouts and their families. The program was lead by Chino Hills State Park volunteers, who are the most incredible community of life-long learners and teachers. Girl Scouts Love State Parks weekend was when I watched 500 scouts see the park through my lens and watched 20 incredible volunteers feel THE SPARK of inspiring the next generation of land stewards.”
*Some honorees did not submit a quote, please see page 2 for the full list of 2025 honorees.
2025 Heart in Hand Recipients
ILENE KNEBEL
Holly Hills
“Girl Scouts continues to be a part of my life, even without a "Troop." I find satisfaction in helping girls with their higher awards and organizing events with them at the Santa Monica Elks Lodge. It's also a pleasure to continue to maintain the close friendships formed with other leaders so many years ago.”
CYNTHIA MORAN
City of Chino Hills
“Girl Scouts has had a positive impact on the Chino Hills community by developing confident female leaders, teaching essential life skills, and fostering a strong spirit of service. The program connects women of different generations through mentorship to learn from one another, and helps to shape our future civic leaders, educators, healthcare professionals, and other serviceminded individuals who continue to give back to our community in other ways.”
CORA QUON
Industry Expert
“Our highlight this year was reaching nearly 100 Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors across Greater Los Angeles through our cybersecurity badge workshops. In addition to continuing our Investigator badge workshops, we developed and launched a Cyber Basics badge workshop to meet growing demand and strengthen foundational learning.
Watching girls build confidence in digital safety and begin to see themselves as capable problem-solvers and future cybersecurity leaders was incredibly meaningful. Expanding both our reach and our curriculum reinforced the strength of our partnership with Girl Scouts and our shared commitment to empowering girls in a digital world.”
STEPHANIE RAGLE
Northeast Los Angeles
“Girl Scouts impacts our community through my diverse service unit, which allows girls from all backgrounds and cultures to go on a camping trip together, trade swaps, sing songs, and share in the fun memories that the organization encourages. Girl Scouts has brought joy and unique experiences to girls again and again in so many ways, and this is truly shown through the day camp experience."
BOLSA CHICA CONSERVANCY
REPRESENTED BY CARISSA MACIAS AND JO ANN CANTY
Industry Expert
“The Bolsa Chica Conservancy is in the Orange County area. It is a privilege to help Girl Scouts impact their own communities. It’s through volunteering, organizing drives, or cleaning up local spaces that we get to see how small actions can really add up. It’s also about inspiring others and showing that even kids can make our community stronger and more caring.”
JASMIN SANDIDGE
Puente Hills
“This past year’s highlight was watching the girls step into stronger leadership roles as they planned activities, mentored younger Scouts, and worked collaboratively toward their goals. Seeing my daughter grow in confidence through Girl Scouts, balancing scouting with academics and athletics while continuing to give back, has been especially meaningful. Troop events, service efforts, and shared milestones made this year both memorable and impactful.”
MICHELLE VANLERBERGHE
Santa Monica
“Girl Scouts have worked hand in hand with the Santa Monica Elks Lodge to strengthen and better our community. From supporting our veterans programs to participating in food drives, first aid classes, and community beautification projects, these young leaders continue to demonstrate service in action.
We are proud of this partnership and the positive impact it has on our Lodge and our community.”
*Some honorees did not submit a quote, please see page 2 for the full list of 2025 honorees.
Honor Pin
The Honor Pin is a national award that recognizes an adult volunteer who has delivered outstanding service to two or more service units or to a region. The awardee has significantly contributed to meeting one or more council goals in membership growth and retention, fund development, or increased community visibility in a region or two or more service units. She or he actively recognizes, understands, and practices the values of inclusive behavior.
2025 Honor Pin Recipients*
LISSA (FLICKER) ALFRED
Holly Hills
“What Girl Scouts mean to me is passing on all the positive aspects of Girl Scouting by sharing my various talents and interests with the girls and their adult volunteers. 'A teacher (or Girl Scout) effects eternity. She never knows where her influence stops.' In return I have helped others, made lifelong friends, and grown as an individual.”
ANGELA ARNOLD-BROWNLEE
Westchester/Del Rey
“This past year as the co-service unit manager, I had the privilege of coordinating a vibrant year across our Girl Scout community by coordinating monthly meetings and bringing together our various troops to share ideas, resources, and support. Highlights included organizing collaborative service projects, aligning calendars to maximize participation, and securing diverse opportunities for our service unit; such as intertroop service events, skill-building workshops, and community partnerships that strengthened leadership, teamwork, and sisterhood across the troop network. The year fostered stronger communication, expanded mentor networks, and created meaningful, scalable opportunities for girls to lead, serve, and grow together.”
LIZ BUSQUE
Bonita
“The highlight of the last membership year was seeing the girls experience something for the first time at Camporee, where they got to kayak and rowboat.”
KIMBERLY CRAWFORD
Santa Monica Bay
“Our local Girl Scouts help the local community in many ways such as using their cookie proceeds to help local support groups or cleaning up the beach.”
PENNY DE SANTIS
Sagebrush
“Girl Scouts meant so much to my mom. She loved helping and organizing events. Every year she hosted a My Promise My Faith event which meant so much to her. I've been in Girl Scouts pretty much my whole life and my mom has been with me every step of the way. It is something I am so grateful that we were able to share together.” - Penny's daughter, Laurel De Santis
JAIMEE DREW
Alamitos/Marina
“My highlight was taking a group of amazing women on a backpacking training trip at Camp Osito. They learned new skills and made new connections with one another - it was awesome to witness!”
GWENDOLYN DREYER
Marina
“Together with the Backpacking Skills adult educator team, we created the first trainers’ manual for Backpacking Skills, Part 2. It was a huge push to get it finished, and I am looking forward to having a consistent roadmap not just for the volunteer's sake, but also our council staff.”
CORRIN GIL RICHARD
Heart of the Valley
“One of the greatest Girl Scout highlights during the last membership year with Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles was witnessing girls step fully into their leadership potential. I saw girls move beyond simply participating in activities to truly leading—planning service projects, facilitating troop discussions, mentoring younger Girl Scouts, and confidently speaking about issues that matter to them.”
*Some honorees did not submit a quote, please see page 2 for the full list of 2025 honorees.
2025 Honor Pin Recipients*
GLORIA HALFACRE
Marina
“For over 21 years, Gloria Halfacre has proudly volunteered with Girl Scouts. She is a multi-level troop leader for Troop 925 and has served as the Marina Service Unit Manager for 20 years. Gloria is also the co-director of Camp Stuff ’n’ Such, a 49-year Girl Scout day camp that she is passionate about. A Lifetime Girl Scout, she has served as a GSGLA delegate, worked on multiple Go-Teams, and currently serves as an Adult Educator. Her dedication has been recognized with the Appreciation and Honor Pins, Virtual Vanguard and Platinum Awards, and the Thanks Badge I and II.”
HEATHER HETRICK
Lakewood
“Girl Scouts has impacted our community by giving girls a safe place to learn and have fun while teaching them to give back to the community and support each other.”
HELEN HURSTON
La Brea Heights
“The highlight of my Girl Scout year (2024–2025) was traveling to Europe with three troops from the Service Unit. Watching them experience their first-ever trip outside the country and getting to share that excitement with them was truly unforgettable.”
LYNN MACK-COSTELLO
Pali-Mali
“All four communities in the Pali-Mali SU were deeply impacted by the Palisades Fire last January - 70 % of Pacific Palisades alone is gone. Girl Scouts from around the world responded. Thousands of Friendship Knots and notes and uniform parts and money was donated to help support our girls and those in the Eaton Fire. These were shared with my troops. What a powerful expression of what our sisterhood means at a time when many struggled to comprehend all that they lost.
Although so much burned in the Palisades Fire, remembering the many projects our troops have done throughout the SU is so meaningful. They will be back.”
ELIZABETH (BETH) MILES
Torrance
“A highlight of this past Girl Scout membership year was leading an adult backpacking training where the weekend ended with all the participants trading hugs and contact details so they could plan trips together in the future.”
TED OYAMA
Belmont
“Girl Scouts to me means volunteering to help others learn.”
KATHY VIGIL
Marina
“The biggest highlight this year was mentoring one of my Girl Scouts through her Gold Award. She had several setbacks with the Fires, Rain, AP testing, College Apps, and all the senior activities. But she did such an amazing job and pulled it off in the end. I was so proud of her and all her accomplishments!”
WENDY WOOD
Canyon Star
“Girl Scouts has provided an opportunity for the girls to become leaders. They are more confident, more interested in ways to fulfill the needs of others, and have a sense of community within their troop.”
*Some honorees did not submit a quote, please see page 2 for the full list of 2025 honorees.
Appreciation Pin
The Appreciation Pin recognizes an adult volunteer who has delivered outstanding service to at least one service unit. The honoree has significantly contributed to meeting one or more council goals in membership growth, retention, fund development, or increased community visibility in one service unit.
2025 Appreciation Pin Recipients*
MARGARET AGHILI
Anita Oaks/Mission Camellias
“Watching my recently graduated scouts make their way to their respective colleges who were grateful for the skills and lessons learned in their 13 years of scouting was a highlight for me last year. Confident young women who are thriving! The best!!!”
KRISTEN ANGELICA
La Cañada
“To me, Girl Scouts is all about community and empowering girls to become leaders. It has been incredible to watch these girls grow from wiggly kindergarteners into confident, capable ninth graders. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.”
DIANNE BELLI
Marina
“Our troop supports the Senior Dana Delivery program at the Venice Hongwanji Buddhist Temple which provides quarterly home delivery of lunches and gift packages to community older adults, as well as sending greeting cards on non-delivery months. Our Scouts also help to maintain the Venice Japanese American Memorial Monument, which was the location where buses transported Japanese Americans to incarceration camps during WWII.”
NICOLE BLUTE
Marina
“As a Girl Scout for more than 40 years, the organization means providing opportunities for girls to learn, lead, and grow.”
KENDRA BOLAN
Pali/Mali
“My highlight from the past year was seeing several of our Scouts work together with the City of Malibu on their Silver Award projects. The girls helped plant milkweed and other native plants in the butterfly garden in Malibu to support the monarch butterfly population.”
LAURIE BOUSTANY
Santa Monica Bay
“Girl Scouts has helped to develop confident, respectful, capable, girls who are thoughtful human beings. Our troops consistently volunteer in the community, whether helping with One Voice at the holidays, donating items for animals in need, or sorting clothing for fire victims in our neighboring community. Girls Scouts has also created a space for young women who want to explore the outdoors with other girls and women.”
SUSAN BRADLEY
Chino Hills
“Girl Scouts is a profound part of my life and within my family. To help guide girls to become confident and courageous is what every parent and leader dreams of. I believe that Girl Scouts has so much to offer every individual and if a girl takes just one thing that I have shared or taught them means the world to me.”
ANDRIANA BURKHAMMER-FLORES
San Pedro
“My highlight this year was watching my girls participate in the MUDRUN & Surf City Run. Allowing our girls to have confidence and support each other in a healthy challenge with each other.”
ERICA CALLES
Burbank
“My highlight was my troop's journey to the Bronze Award. They found a need within our local elementary schools for left handed supplies and they created and donated them to all Burbank elementary schools.”
KATIE CARMAN
CV/Glendale
“Girl Scouts has supported families that lost their homes in the Palisades and Eaton fires.”
CHERYL CHAIX
Chino Hills
“Girl Scouts has played a vital role in my life. As a young girl, I learned many skills and was challenged to do things I never would have attempted to do on my own. As a mom, I now have had the honor to co-lead my daughter's troop and watch her grow and develop and do amazing things because of the support and influence of Girl Scouts.”
*Some honorees did not submit a quote, please see page 2 for the full list of 2025 honorees.
2025 Appreciation Pin Recipients
NAOMI CHAN
Las Caballeras
“Girl Scouts is a program full of possibilities. I have enjoyed the mentors I look up to, the opportunities for learnings, the outdoor events I participated in different perspectives, and the girls inspired me to continue this journey.”
JEN CLARKE
El Segundo
“Girl Scouts has amazing role models for my own girls. Women who give their time, effort, and love, to making the world a better place.”
DANA CLAUSEN
Marina
“To me, Girl Scouts is both a safe haven and a springboard—a place where girls are supported as they discover who they are, and encouraged to explore, lead, and engage confidently with the world beyond. It provides a rare space of belonging and encouragement that allows girls to take risks, grow into leadership, and step forward with confidence.”
ANA CRISTINA DACARET
East LA
“I have seen the impact that Girl Scouts has had on my daughter, our troop, and other girls in our community. I see girls building confidence in themselves. I see girls being kind to one another. I see girls sharing opportunities that they would otherwise not have.”
SABRINA DAMAST
Holly Hills
“Girl Scouts means an opportunity for girls to live their best lives, become their best selves, and make the world the best it can be.”
SUZANNE DEHMEL
Marina
“My Ambassador troop went on a cruise— our biggest trip yet. Helping the girls see the world in a way they hadn't before has been an absolute treasure.”
LAUREN DENNIS
PV/Penn
“The Girl Scouts of Los Angeles and of Palos Verdes have greatly contributed to our community by their unwavering ability to give back, continuous role modeling to their peers, and their consistent display of character and kindness.”
LEEANN DIAZ
RDE
“Girl Scouts is MY community, I have found friends, Best friends and family for myself and my daughter, we are so lucky.”
JESSICA DONAHUE
El Segundo
“Seeing our Service Unit grow and come together as a Girl Scout community. We have had the opportunity to work together to serve each other in support of Girl Scouts and for the benefit of the next generation of leaders.”
ROSA ECHEVERRIA
Bonita
“Girl Scouts has made a meaningful impact in our community by giving girls the opportunity to grow into confident leaders, active volunteers, and positive role models. Through service projects, community events, and participation in the cookie program, I have seen firsthand how the girls develop responsibility, teamwork, and pride in giving back. These experiences not only strengthen their confidence but also bring families, and community members together, creating lasting connections and a stronger sense of community support.”
LINSEY FORNACA
Chino
“I grew up as a Girl Scout, and it is deeply connected to who I am now. I grew up alongside my Sister Scouts learning to do hard things together and am still in touch with some of them today. Because I was in Girl Scouts, I am a leader, an entrepreneur, and I absolutely love taking on challenges, going on adventures, and giving to those around me to make the world a better place.”
JOCELYN FREITAS
La Cañada
“The Girl Scouts help shape future leaders and creates opportunity for service in the community.”
BRYCE FUKUJI Marina
“My Girl Scout highlight from this past year was watching the Daisies truly shine in their own unique ways and grow so much in confidence over the year. Seeing each of their personalities blossom — whether it was speaking up more, trying something new, or supporting a friend —was so special. The sweetest full-circle moment was celebrating their bridging to Brownies; it was such a proud milestone for all of us!”
ANGELA GAINES
King Harbor
“Our Girl Scouts have involved themselves with our local fire department and police department. We are constantly getting involved with our local city, seeing what its needs are, and determining how we can volunteer.”
*Some honorees did not submit a quote, please see page 2 for the
2025 Appreciation Pin Recipients
NOEL GILCHRIST
North River
“Girl Scouts have helped build girls up and shown them that they can do anything. Given them initiative to tackle projects and find areas that the community could truly use support.”
NIKKI GOMEZ
Southeast
“Girl Scouts give a safe place for girls and young women to challenge themselves. Our troop has always focused on giving back to the community, because our community really comes together to support us.”
CARINA GONZALEZ
South Torrance
“One of my biggest highlights this year was helping bring girls and families together through camp experiences and troop events. Seeing the girls step outside their comfort zones, build confidence, and truly connect with one another is the best also, watching them lead, support each other, and take pride in their accomplishments was incredibly rewarding.”
CHRISTINA GRAMOND
Culver City
“Girl Scouts has offered a way for families to reintegrate and reconnect after COVID separated and isolated many of us.”
CANDICE GRANZOW
North River
“Girl Scouts strengthens our community in countless small but meaningful ways. Through sharing a smile, offering a kind word, and showing up with generosity, we create an environment where everyone feels supported. By donating our time, meeting needs as they arise, and helping wherever we can, we model compassion and service for the next generation. These everyday acts of kindness build a community that is more connected, more resilient, and more hopeful.”
JENNY GREENE
Burbank
“My highlight for the 2024-25 membership year was taking my Brownie troop on our first trip up to Pali Institute for JAM at the Summit. All of the girls had an amazing time and it seemed like a great first experience for my troop to venture out into the world.”
RENEE GROSKREUTZ
PV/Penn
“Girl Scouts has provided a safe third space for girls to try new things, to fail, to succeed, to persevere, and to be inspired to help each other, their schools, and their community. Our Scouts are bold, informed, and strong leaders and they generously share their time, talents, and knowledge to help others by organizing large events for younger scouts, by tackling their Silver and Gold Awards, and by sharing their perspectives to make this world better.”
MONICA HALEY
Marina
“Girl Scouts helps me develop strong relationships with other Scouts and their families. It reinforces our network and support system, keeping us connected and strengthening our community.”
CHRISSY HARING
Sagebrush
“Girl Scouts means being a good person. We can work together to create the world we want to live in.”
ROCIO HERRERA
Holly Hills
“Girl Scouts are always there to help the community. Our troop has engaged in projects to help shelter pets, the unhoused community, and children. We look forward to doing more work.”
KORI HOJO
Marina
“Girl Scouts has played a meaningful role in expanding my ties to our community and introducing me to so many wonderful people. Through our troop, we have been able to give back to our local community in ways that I would not have been part of without Girl Scouts.”
JUDY HONG
South Torrance
“My highlights from the past membership year: so proud of so many troop leaders who stepped up and helped organize activities for our service unit. In addition, seeing so many Girl Scouts in SU 543 including my daughter, earning their Gold Awards.”
PAQUITA HUGHES
Canyon Star
“Girl Scouts has created a safe space for the girls in my community to grow, gain new experiences and challenge themselves in ways that keep them engaged and excited.”
DARRYINN JAMES
Center City
“The Girl Scouts have positively impacted communities by fostering leadership skills in young girls, promoting community service, and building essential life skills. Through inclusive programs, they create a supportive environment that encourages diversity, teamwork, and responsibility, ultimately shaping a generation of confident, community-minded leaders who actively give back and meet local needs.”
*Some honorees did not submit a quote, please see page 2 for the full list of 2025 honorees.
2025 Appreciation Pin Recipients
MARIA JENKINS
Marina
“Girl Scouts has impacted my community by facilitating activities and programs that encourage Scouts to make the world and their community a better place. Girl Scouts gives girls the confidence and tools to implement their humanitarian visions.”
LAURA KATAYAMA
South Torrance
“4 of the 10 graduating seniors in my Troop completed their Gold Awards in the past year, and 2 more are in process. I hope 3 more girls will submit their proposals by April 1st, but no matter what, I'm really proud of all of them!”
JESS KELLY
Canyon Star
“Girl Scouts has created opportunities to volunteer and give back to the community.”
GLORIA KIM
Pali/Mali
“I would like to think that our Girl Scout troops have been a positive impact in our community through our Bronze Award (blood donation drive, free little library) and Silver Award (cookbook with easy and healthy recipes for teenagers) projects, showing up during cookie season at multiple booth locations, and beyond when our troops volunteer at local non-profit organizations.”
ALICIA LAFAURIE
Canyon Star
“Girls Scouts are constantly giving back through service and outreach in our community. We are always seeking where the need is most.”
JUDY LEE
Anita Oaks/Mission Camellias
“Girl Scouts have had a powerful and lasting impact on my community. From seeing Girl Scouts perform as color guards at the Arcadia Festival of the Bands parade and the San Gabriel July 4th celebration to cleaning the neighborhood church garden or helping in PTA events our service or organizing Food and Supply Drives for the Foothill Unity and Union Station makes an impact.”
SALLY LOPEZ
Heart of the Valley
“Girl Scouts to me is an opportunity to give my daughter safe, meaningful learning experiences that will help her grow into a strong, independent young lady. Through Girl Scouts, she is surrounded by positive peers, new opportunities, and, most importantly, lasting friendships. Watching her learn, explore, and build confidence in such a supportive environment is one of the greatest gifts this program offers.”
PHAN LUC
Anita Oaks/Mission Camellias
“Girl Scouts helped my girls, parents, and the community as a whole understand the impact of empathy, community service, leadership, and the collective power to make a difference.”
RYAN LYNCH
Canyon Star
“Girl Scouts have impacted my community by creating opportunities for girls to develop skills to become leaders.”
MARIA DEL PILAR MARI
Lakewood
“Girl Scouts has helped girls around my community to be more confident, creative and inspired by providing experiences that they would never have otherwise.”
CINDY MATSUBAYASHI
Marina
“This past year, my Juniors earned their Bronze Award. As part of their Take Action project, they planned and hosted a Brownie sleepover for the younger girls in our troop, many of whom had never spent a night away from home. Watching them step confidently into leadership roles—guiding activities, offering reassurance, and creating a warm, welcoming experience—was truly the highlight of my year. It was so rewarding to sit back and see how they had grown into gracious, capable, and kind leaders.”
JENNIFER MCLAUGHLIN
South Torrance
“To me, Girl Scouts means giving back. I was a Girl Scout when I was younger, and I remember having a very positive experience—learning valuable life skills and building confidence in a supportive environment. Those experiences stayed with me, and I wanted the next generation to have the same opportunities.”
MALISSA MEDINA
Marina
“Girl Scouts means giving girls room to grow without rushing them. It’s about confidence and capability — but also about letting them stay curious, playful, and fully themselves.”
VERONICA MENDOZA
PV/Penn
“Girl Scouts to me means giving girls a space where they’re encouraged to lead, speak up, try new things, and grow from both success and failure. Through selling cookies, community service projects, challenging hikes and other activities, girls are able to build confidence, resilience, and character.”
*Some honorees did not submit a quote, please see page 2 for the full list of 2025 honorees.
2025 Appreciation Pin Recipients
ANDREA MORENO
Chino Hills
“Girl Scouts helps make the community a better place by volunteering their time and talents. Whether it is caroling to Senior Citizens during Christmas and/or collecting stockings to give to those in need, Girl Scouts are there to help.”
HEIDI MOUNTJOY
Palmdale/Acton/Agua Dulce
“Girl Scout means learning and teaching young girls become a leader and making a difference in the community.”
CATHERINE MYMAN-KAPLAN
Pali Mali
“Between my two troops, we have performed over 400 hours of service to our community. With a wide range of activities, including crafting cards for hospitalized children to teaching STEM, my Scouts have made a long-lasting impact.”
BRANDY NAKANO
South Torrance
“My highlight of the past membership year was organizing and hosting our Service Unit’s First Annual Advancement Ceremony. We welcomed 28 Girl Scouts, ranging from Daisies to Ambassadors.
Seeing the girls dressed in their formal uniforms as they crossed the bridge was incredibly powerful. The ceremony celebrated not just rank advancement, but growth, confidence, and perseverance. It was a meaningful moment for the Scouts, Troops and their families — and one that I will always cherish.”
MARLENE NEAL
Marina
“Girl Scouts means empowering girls by being in an organization that makes a pathway for them to discover their potential to help their community and the world around them.”
LINH NGUYEN
Santa Monica Bay
“My highlight was watching our Scouts revitalize the Service Unit Court of Awards event, bringing Scouts together of all ages to celebrate all of their achievements, honor volunteers, share experiences, and kick off a new scouting year!”
LYNN NGUYEN
South Torrance
“Girl Scouts means so much to me because it allows me to spend meaningful time with my daughter while showing her what true women leaders look like. It gives me the opportunity to positively impact her future, as well as the futures of other girls in my troop and community. Girl Scouts reminds me that girls can be anything they want to be, and I’m proud to be part of an organization that helps them believe in themselves.”
LINDA NIKRAVAN
PV/Penn
“Girl Scouts brings together a diverse group of people who might not otherwise meet. Girls and parents expand their circle of friends with other likeminded people who want their girls to grow up feeling capable and confident.”
LIZ NORIEGA
Upland
“It has always been important to me to build an environment where the girls feel valued, encouraged, and connected. My hope is that, years from now, they will look back on their time in Girl Scouts and remember it as one of the most special and impactful parts of their childhood—filled with friendships, adventures, and the sense of sisterhood we share."
LANISSA PATTERSON
South Torrance
“I am proud of the strong, educated, engaged, and caring young women we are raising. They are confident, involved in their community, and proud citizens.”
LYNDSAY PETERSEN Upland
“Girl Scouts has given me the chance to make a meaningful impact alongside dedicated volunteers and families, and it continues to inspire me through its mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.”
SUSANA PLAZOLA
Marina
“Girl Scouts to me means sisterhood; plain and simple, but nonetheless powerful.”
TERESA REVIS
Holly Hills
“Girl Scouts has helped my family remember that we are part of a community that we can make better through our ideas and actions.”
JACQUELINE RIVERA
Sagebrush
“Through leadership development, service projects, and programs like the Silver Award, I’ve seen girls learn how to recognize real needs in their communities and take action. They are not just participating, they are stepping up and leading.
I’ve noticed the connections that form between girls, families, and leaders. I’ve watched confidence grow, voices strengthen, and mentorship naturally build across generations. Girl Scouts creates a community where girls truly understand their ability to make meaningful change.”
*Some honorees did not submit a quote, please see page 2 for the full list of 2025 honorees.
2025 Appreciation Pin Recipients
AMY ROBERTSON
Bonita
“To me Girl Scouts means friendship. My troop are juniors in high school. And to see their friendships that started in kindergarten continue today is a true story of sisterhood.”
BETH ROLANDSON
Santa Monica Bay
“Girl Scouts an amazing balance of independence and community.”
MARIA ROQUE
Rancho Foothills
“Our Girl Scouts have become pivotal members of their community by donating their time planting trees and flower gardens. They have also spent time volunteering at senior centers donating food and clothing as well as attending school and community events.”
FRANCENE SCHAEFER
Marina
“One of my favorite things I did last year was volunteer at Camp Stuff ’n’ Such for a second year in a row. I loved it so much, I decided to join the camp staff!”
CHRISTINE SCHMITZ
PV/Penn
“They say there is no growth in the comfort zone, but going it alone can be intimidating. Girl Scouts is girls standing shoulder to shoulder as they take on new challenges and accomplish together what they could not do alone.”
JO SIMMONS
Rancho Foothills
“I enjoy helping girls become the best person they can be. I firmly believe that Girl Scouts provides a safe space for them to learn who they are.”
AMBER SPENCE
Marina
“My girls have worked hard to integrate service into their daily lives and make the world a better place."
VIENNA ST. DENNIS
Marina
“Girl Scouts is a community outside of all the drama and stress that happens in life. It is a place where girls are able and encouraged to try anything they want and are assured that anything they put their minds to, they can accomplish. Girl Scouts makes a family out of everyone in it—a support system for everyone involved like no other.”
MELANIE TAUB
North River
“To me, Girl Scouts is about a true sisterhood— girls coming together to support one another while working to make their communities better. Through those shared experiences, they discover their strengths, build confidence, and form friendships that last a lifetime.”
ISABELL TERRY
Santa Monica Bay
“Girl Scouts has impacted our community through volunteering, supporting food banks, cleaning beaches, constructing free libraries and much more.”
CHRISTA THOMPSON
Westchester/Del Rey
“When young girls are involved in Girl Scouts, they are taught and empowered to be leaders. These young leaders grow up to effect positive change in the community. Girl Scouts that do their Silver and Gold Awards leave legacies that positively impact the community for many years to come.”
AZUSENA VALDEZ
River Trails
“Girls scouts to me is a place for many opportunities, it’s a place where girls can go and be themselves while creating core memories with one another. Girls Scouts is a foundation that helps girls become successful in anything they aspire to be.”
LISA VAN EVERY
Heart of the Valley
“The highlight of last membership year was our troop camping trip to Camp Lakota. There is no greater reward than seeing my two daughters, and their fellow Girl Scouts take the lead outdoors with confidence, mastering any challenge after countless of hours practicing their skills.”
LANA WONG
Belmont
“Being part of a volunteer community, where people generously donate their time and effort to make things better, reminds me how impactful it is when we come together. It shows how much we can grow, support one another, and improve both ourselves and our surroundings as a united community.”
*Some honorees did not submit a quote, please see page 2 for the full list of 2025 honorees.
Years of Service Pin
The Years of Service Award is presented in five-year increments to candidates active as registered Girl Scout adult members. These pins represent only the years of active service as an adult.
HEATHER HETRICK
CHRISTIE CRAHAN*
ERIN GARCIA
SUSAN HADFIELD*
HEATHER HUFENBACH*
SUSAN MURRAY
MARIA ROQUE
JASMIN SANDIDGE
TRINA SOTO
30 YEARS 25 YEARS
BECKY FISH*
LORI OSEGUERA*
SUSANNE SKAGGS
Tenure Numeral Guard
LIZ BUSQUE
REBECCA OSEGUERA
EBBY SIRONI
KAZUE "VICKI" TOKIRIO
LINNEA BUNNELL
LORI OSEGUERA*
SARAH SMITH
MARGARET "PEGGY" BREWER
HEATHER HUFENBACH*
MINISA VOLDEN*
35 YEARS
RACHEL BANKS
DIANE CABANNE
HEATHER SCOTT*
GLORIA SIRONI*
MINISA VOLDEN*
YEARS
LINDA HAVERMAN RITA RIVERA*
50 YEARS
JERMAINE BECKETT*
LINDA HARMON*
KARLA HUFENBACH*
ALETA HOWLAND* PAT TJOSAAS*
The Numeral Guard (tenure) recognizes the combined number of years accumulated as a registered member, girl and adult, in five-year increments.
KARLA HUFENBACH*
JERMAINE BECKETT*
BECKY FISH*
SUSAN HADFIELD*
LINDA HARMON * HEATHER SCOTT*
GLORIA SIRONI*
CAROLYN "SANDY" CHAILLE
CHRISTIE CRAHAN*
ALETA HOWLAND* BARBARA COLLIANDER
BARBARA COLLIANDER NANCY EMCH
*Receiving both Numeral Guard and Years of Service Pins
President's Award
The President’s Award recognizes the efforts demonstrated by a service unit to enhance Girl Scouting in its community during a membership year. This year-long achievement requires teamwork, dedication, and focus from every member of the service unit team, as well as the support of troop leaders.
2025 President's Award Recipients
BONITA
The Bonita Service Unit serves the cities of San Dimas and La Verne with 32 troops and growing. Bonita’s most popular event is the World Thinking Day event, where troops can host a country or attend as travelers. Learning about and enjoying delicious samples from a multitude of countries alongside your sister Girl Scouts is always an enjoyable afternoon. Camporee, Songs & S’mores, Cookie Kick-off, and Me & My Lucky Charm Bingo round out our traditional events. Seeing the girls try new activities and learn and grow from the many community service projects they participated in are some of the most wonderful parts of Girl Scouting.
BURBANK
The Burbank Service Unit serves 61 troops and 134 leaders in Burbank. We were recently recognized by the Burbank Parks and Recreation Board for our work with the city meal delivery program. Each month, Burbank Girl Scouts decorate the bags used to deliver meals to seniors throughout the city—a service program that goes back more than 15 years.
CANYON STAR
Canyon Star serves the cities of Studio City, Sherman Oaks, and North Hollywood. Last year, we had 44 troops with over 450 youth members and over 300 adult members. One thing that makes Canyon Star stand out is our focus on fostering GS sisterhood, not just for our girls but also for our adult leaders. Our meetings are a fun and supportive place to learn and connect. We have many activities that allow our troops to come together.
We start the GS year with our Opening Ceremonies, where we hold an Investiture, Rededication, and Bridging, and where we recognize our Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awardees. We also hold an annual Cookie Kick-Off the week before cookies are delivered. We typically have between 150–200 attendees at our Cookie Kick-Offs. We also plan events like caroling during the holidays, World Thinking Day, Day of Service, and placing flags for Memorial Day.
Everyone looks forward to our spring family camping weekend at Camp Lakota, where we have archery, s’mores, arts and crafts, and a super fun evening show with skits and songs. We also have several service projects each year that our entire service unit can participate in to serve our community. And Flat Juliette is at almost every event!
Canyon Star is honored to be awarded GSGLA’s President’s Award once again!
2025 President's Award Recipients
EL SEGUNDO
Service Unit 515 is a close-knit Girl Scout community in the South Bay, supporting 195 girls across El Segundo and neighboring areas. We represent a diverse network of local schools, and our strength comes from an extraordinary team of dedicated women who lead with heart, consistency, and a shared belief in empowering every girl. Our leaders show up for our girls in every way—attending Service Unit meetings, marching together in full force in the annual El Segundo Holiday Parade, and sharing our joy with the community throughout both the Fall Product and Cookie Program seasons.
In recent years, we’ve placed a strong emphasis on service, ensuring our girls see themselves as changemakers. At our 2025 Service Unit event, we hosted a book drive benefiting The Book Truck and collected more than five boxes of new books, helping students in lower-income neighborhoods choose stories they love at no cost. This spirit of generosity and community connection is at the heart of who we are and what we strive to model for every girl we serve.
As the Service Unit Manager, I am humbled to serve alongside these remarkable leaders. Our girls and our network of volunteers are endlessly selfless, creative, and innovative in the programming they bring to life. For me, leading in this community is a full-circle moment—I was a Girl Scout in this very city for years, and those experiences shaped my young life in profound ways. Being able to give back to the place that helped raise me is an honor I carry with deep gratitude.
HOLLY HILLS
Holly Hills Service Unit 505 services a wide area of our Greater Los Angeles City. The majority of our Scouts and volunteers are in the West Los Angeles zip codes, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Culver City, and Sherman Oaks. There are 96 Troop Leaders supporting the 33 active troops within the service unit.
Holly Hills is a service unit that gives back to the community. A highlight service unit event is “Caring Day”. Troops within the service unit collect essentials needed to assemble care kits for veterans. This past year, we were able to make over 100 holiday care kit stockings that were provided directly to women Veterans at the Los Angeles VA. Over 140 girl scouts and volunteers from 5 service units donated over 2095 items and helped assemble the care packages.
The service unit has close relationships with the Santa Monica Elks #906 and Westchester Elks #2050 and provides support to the lodges throughout the year.
2025 President's Award Recipients
KING HARBOR
The King Harbor Service Unit serves the South Redondo community.
Our service unit includes 46 troops supported by more than 110 leaders and co-leaders, all working together to create meaningful Girl Scout experiences for girls across every grade level.
Some of our most popular events include our Pinewood Derby, where girls design, build, and race their own cars, and Songfest, a long-standing tradition that brings troops together for an evening of music, creativity, and Girl Scout spirit.
Our service unit prides itself on its strong sense of community and collaboration among leaders and families. As we continue to grow, we are always looking for ways to build new connections within our community and create opportunities for girls to learn, lead, and make a positive impact.
MARINA
The Marina Service Unit proudly serves Girl Scouts and volunteers in Marina del Rey, Mar Vista, and Venice, along with parts of Playa Vista and West Los Angeles. Our vibrant community currently includes 40 troops, 119 dedicated leaders, and 424 amazing girls.
Each year, the Marina Service Unit hosts several signature programs that reflect our commitment to service and leadership. Our Holiday Service Project, which began as a Girl Scout Gold Award, brings joy to foster children during the holiday season. Project Pot Pies, originally a Silver Award, provides homemade pies to members of our home-insecure community. We are also proud to host Camp Stuff ’n’ Such, known as the best little Girl Scout Day Camp in town, now celebrating its 49th year of outdoor fun, friendship, and adventure.
We are more than a service unit—we are a fabulous family of Scouts who support one another, give back to our community, and help girls grow in confidence, courage, and character. The Marina Service Unit is honored to have earned the President’s Award every year since its introduction, a testament to the dedication and spirit of our volunteers and families.
2025 President's Award Recipients
NORTH REDONDO
North Redondo SU serves the communities of Hermosa Beach and North Redondo Beach. We currently have 48 troops. As a service unit we have hosted Valentines for Veterans for nearly 20 years. Each year the girls in their troops, on their own or in a collective SU fun night make Valentines cards for up to 1000 veterans served by the VA Hospitals in Long Beach and Los Angeles.
NORTH RIVER
North River Service Unit is comprised of troops based primarily out of Valencia and Castaic. We currently have 81 leaders supporting girls from 33 troops who are honored to serve communities of the Santa Clarita Valley. We are excited to be recognized with GSGLA’s President’s Award for the 2024/2025 year, during which we hosted a leader-daughter wood décor paint party; chaired the planning and running of one of Council’s largest Cookie MegaDrops; provided First Aid certification earning opportunities for our and other local Service Unit leaders; hosted a small camporee; celebrated and recognized graduating SCV Ambassadors; and had troops and girls featured in local news media.
Our troops and girls hosted events for other girls, placed flags at Eternal Valley for Memorial Day, marched in the Santa Clarita 4th of July Parade, participated in Scouts Sunday, My Promise My Faith, Patriot Day, and other flag ceremonies, represented at Top Cookie Seller events, and so much more. We are exceedingly proud to have supported our girls through the completion of countless hours of community service and the earning of Bronze, Silver, and FIVE Gold Awards last year!
2025 President's Award Recipients
RANCHO FOOTHILLS
Rancho Foothills serves the city of Rancho Cucamonga, which encompasses the Alta Loma, Etiwanda, and Cucamonga areas. We currently serve 51 active troops. Our most notable community service project is the annual Green Santa event, which benefits two local youth organizations. Many of our Girl Scouts utilize their troop funds to purchase gifts for underprivileged children, helping to make their holiday season special. The Rancho Foothills Service Unit team is composed of dedicated women who are passionate about the Girl Scout movement and committed to supporting the development of future female leaders. We are proud to have seven Gold Award recipients last year alone and three Rose Parade Tournament of Roses troop participants. Earning the President’s Award reflects the incredible commitment and support of our volunteer troop leaders within the service unit.
SAGEBRUSH
Sagebrush Service Unit is one of four service units in the Santa Clarita Valley and is the largest. Sagebrush consists of 44 troops in the Saugus area of Santa Clarita. We have some troops that are large, with 3–5 leaders, along with our “normal” size troops with two leaders. However, no matter the size, the troops all seem to run pretty smoothly and give their girls various opportunities to be a G.I.R.L. Scout.
Having service unit meetings in person has allowed leaders the time to get to know each other better and develop a camaraderie to assist one another in helping their troops become more active. We have a handful of older girl troops that play an important part in helping out with service unit events, and the younger troops really enjoy having the older girls guide them.
We have held very successful and fun camporees that our Scouts look forward to each year. We are also the only service unit in our valley to host a Cookie Rally each year. Our Cookie Rally is open to other troops and has been well received. Our service unit is working to mentor newer troops in order to be successful, as well as mentor those who can become the next generation of service unit team members.
We encourage all our leaders and troops to work with each other to better their experiences. Sagebrush strives to have troops that thrive and looks forward to seeing all leaders and troops grow through the years.
2025 President's Award Recipients
SAN PEDRO
Service Unit 540 has a long and distinguished history of serving the communities of San Pedro, Wilmington, and Avalon. Currently, we have over 500 adult and girl members. Over 50 adults are trained as leaders, and we have 12 established troops, with two new troops in the wings.
Originating in the port, we come from diverse backgrounds and have a reputation of being welcoming to all and highly supportive of one another.
Our service unit leaders regularly meet to share ideas and plan events throughout the year. We regularly go camping together and participate in community events such as parades, planting flags on Memorial Day, and serving as honor guard for graduations, swearing-in ceremonies for our local representatives, and for charitable groups.
We also have fun with Girl Scout traditional events such as World Thinking Day and celebrating our founder. We do lots of fun activities like getting together for Día de los Muertos, to see a movie, or to participate in special themed events such as Fantastic Beasts, character teas, sailing tall ships in the harbor, and going to see the Dodgers play baseball.
Our one shared passion is our commitment to helping others in need. Most of our troops have partnered with one or more local charities and groups such as our local animal shelter, battered women’s shelter, and YWCA to help out whenever they call upon us.
More importantly, anytime there is a need in our community, such as the fires in 2025, our service unit mobilizes to help in a big way, both as a service unit and as individual troops. It is never “should we help,” but “how can we help.”
We recognize that every member contributed to our receiving this award and are thankful to them and our representatives at GSGLA, who made this award possible.
2025 President's Award Recipients
SANTA MONICA BAY
The Santa Monica Bay Service Unit proudly serves the Santa Monica and West Los Angeles communities. In the 2024–2025 year, we supported 32 troops, 60 dedicated leaders, and more than 388 Girl Scouts, fostering a vibrant and growing community. Thanks to engaged volunteers and strong leadership, our service unit continues to excel in retention, membership growth, and cookie sales.
Our signature event, Samoree, is a beloved threeday campout held at Malibu Creek State Park, bringing together over 200 girls and volunteers for a weekend of adventure, teamwork, and Girl Scout spirit. The event is planned and led by our Outdoor Leadership Council (OLC)—an inspiring group of middle and high school Girl Scouts who train and mentor younger Scouts while building advanced leadership and outdoor skills.
Additional highlights include an annual World Thinking Day celebration as well as a Court of Awards celebration, hosted by local troops. The service unit values being a sister to every Girl Scout and provided support to their Pacific Palisades Girl Scout neighbors with cookie season and fall product in 2025. Across all our programs, caring leaders serve as girl advocates, empowering girls with confidence, character, and the skills to make a lasting impact in their community.
SOUTH TORRANCE
In South Torrance, SU 543, we have the most dedicated Service Unit Manager, Judy Hong!
She is more than a Service Unit Manager—she is the heart and soul of our community. Over the last two years, Judy has turned SU 543 into a thriving family where every leader feels valued and every Scout is inspired to dream big.
Why Judy Is Extraordinary:
The Ultimate Mentor: She provides a “safety net” for new leaders, leading to 100% retention in our first-year Daisy troops.
A Personal Touch: With an “open door” policy for over 108 leaders and 426 Scouts within 43 troops, Judy has even opened her own home for reward pickups just to meet every leader face-to-face.
Record-Breaking Success: Under her watch, South Torrance now boasts more Gold Award recipients than any other local Service Unit.
Community Builder: From “Stunt Dog” events to lively meetings with rededication ceremonies and prizes, she has revitalized our volunteer spirit. She also collects donations for a monthly canned food drive for The Volunteer Center South Bay, Harbor City, and Long Beach.
In addition, Judy spearheaded a Service Unit overnight campout at El Ranchito in 2024, followed by another campout in 2025 at Osito Ranch, which was very successful.
UPLAND
2025 President's Award Recipients
The Girl Scout Service Unit Team is honored to receive the President’s Award for the third consecutive year, reflecting a shared commitment to excellence, collaboration, and service. Supporting approximately 35 troops, the team works together to provide strong leadership, meaningful programming, and consistent support to volunteers across the Service Unit. This year, the team proudly hosted its largest Service Unit Camp to date, welcoming nearly 200 attendees for a memorable weekend experience that strengthened connections and celebrated the Girl Scout community. United by a genuine passion for Girl Scouting and a deep respect for one another, the team’s success is rooted in teamwork, dedication, and the joy they find in working together to support girls and volunteers alike.
WEST COVINA
West Covina Service Unit serves the city of West Covina. We currently have 14 troops in the area, with more in the startup stage. This year, we had a guest speaker at our annual Service Unit Bridging event, West Covina City Councilman Ollie Cantos. He spoke to those in attendance about the future, goals, and how impressive the work of our Gold Award girls has been. Last year, eight Gold Awards were earned by West Covina Girl Scouts. Our Service Unit team is comprised of dedicated Girl Scout volunteers who are always willing to help the girls succeed.
We would also like to honor the La Cañada Service Unit and the Lakewood Service Unit with the President's Award.
Thank you, volunteers!
Building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.
girlscoutsla.org