Fall 2025
Connections
News for Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council supporters
You’re making a difference: Half of our members participate in Girl Scouting thanks to our financial aid program, including one-third of our girls who are served through our outreach program.
SPARK Weekends: Igniting Adventure and Opportunity for All Girls
SPARK Weekends began years ago to support traditional Girl Scout troop leaders in providing outdoor camp experiences for their troops. Over time, the program expanded to include participants from the Girl Scout Outreach program. This initiative’s goal is to introduce Girl Scouts to camping and immerse them in outdoor adventures and activities.
The Girl Scout Outreach program is designed to meet the evolving needs, challenges, and interests of today’s girls. These staff-led programs offer girls from underserved communities—often in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods—an opportunity to take part in Girl Scouting, which they might not otherwise have due to limited access to volunteer resources. Through these experiences, girls develop essential life skills, grow academically, and become leaders in their homes, schools, and communities.
SPARK Weekends give a unique opportunity for girls to build confidence, develop leadership skills, form lasting friendships, and deepen their connection with nature. With hands-on activities in outdoor adventure, STEM, and arts and crafts, SPARK ignites creativity and empowers girls to grow as individuals and leaders.
Approximately 85 girls attended an overnight camp at Camp Pryor in May. The theme, “Let’s Glow Camping!”, brought a vibrant energy to the weekend. Girls took part in camp activities such as canoeing, archery, and nature scavenger hunts. They encouraged one another and built confidence as they tried new experiences. As with every camp, the weekend ended with a classic campfire and songs—creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Thanks to supporters like you, these girls had the chance to shine, grow, and create lasting memories at SPARK Weekend.
“You Grow Girl!” Galveston Day Camp
Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, 38 Girl Scouts experienced a joyful and enriching four-day summer camp at the Wright Cuney Recreation Center in Galveston hosted by GSSJC. Themed “You Grow Girl!”, this special program was designed to inspire personal growth, creativity, and self-care through hands-on learning and fun.
Throughout the week, the girls explored the world of plants and flowers, learning about plant parts and the importance of self-care. Using this theme, they discovered meaningful connections between nurturing plants and nurturing their own minds and bodies.
To bring these lessons to life, each girl painted a flowerpot, filled it with soil, and chose seeds to take home and grow—planting not just flowers, but the seeds of knowledge and confidence. The fun continued with a variety of flower-themed crafts and activities, including flower headbands, “fun glasses,” rings, and custom “You Grow Girl!” T-shirts.
From dirt-covered hands to laughter-filled craft tables, the “You Grow Girl!” week was packed with memorable moments, creativity, and learning. We’re so proud of all the girls who participated and grew—inside and out! Go to www.gssjc.org/donate to help programs like this.
Women’s Leadership Network Hosts Social at ION
Members of the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council’s Women’s Leadership Network (WLN) recently gathered for a summer social at the Ion. The event offered an evening of networking among women who share a passion for empowering the next generation of female leaders.
Members and their guests also enjoyed a guided tour of the Ion, a beautifully revitalized space that once housed the iconic Sears showroom. Today, the Ion serves as a hub for Houston’s entrepreneurial, corporate, and academic communities, featuring flexible workspaces, corporate offices, restaurants, and even a gym.
Following the tour, GSSJC CEO Mary Vitek shared exciting updates with WLN members, including news from summer camp and other council initiatives. To learn more about WLN, contact Diane Likeness at dlikeness@sjgs.org.
Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council invites you to the
Success to Significance Luncheon
Celebrating 15 years
Presented by
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
11:30 a.m.
Check in begins at 11 a.m.
Hilton Americas, 1600 Lamar Street, Houston
Keynote speaker Diana Trujillo, a NASA Flight Director, led the Mars Curiosity mission and co-created NASA’s first Spanish-language Mars broadcast. Following her keynote, she will be joined by a panel of Girl Scouts to discuss their own aspirations and experience in STEM.
Go to www.gssjc.org/s2s or scan QR Code for more information.
ABB powers Girl Scouts’ passion for STEM!
Thanks to the incredible support of ABB, more than 1,200 Girl Scouts across our council explored the exciting world of STEM through hands-on learning, creativity, and innovation!
ABB’s generous funding powered our ABB STEM Patch Program, making it possible for Girl Scouts to earn their STEM patch during 2024-2025. To earn the patch, girls had to complete two challenging projects: Design an emergency light using a paper circuit and build a functioning robot from oral syringes and plastic tubing. These activities sparked curiosity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills—everything tomorrow’s STEM leaders need today.
With ABB’s help, girls didn’t just learn about science, they lived it. They collaborated, created, and discovered that STEM is not only fun, but also full of future possibilities.
But ABB’s impact didn’t stop in the classroom. In early spring, ABB team members rolled up their sleeves alongside GSSJC staff to help deliver cookies ahead of the Girl Scout Cookie Program launch in February. Their involvement shows how much they genuinely care—not just about STEM, but also about our Girl Scouts.
We’re incredibly grateful for ABB’s continued partnership. Together, we’re building a brighter future.
Carrie Durso earns GSUSA Gold Award Scholarship
Gold Award Girl Scout Carrie Durso, a high school senior, was awarded a $5,000 Girl Scouts of the USA Gold Award Scholarship!
Carrie’s project made a significant and lasting impact on her community and beyond. The project focused on helping children with rare diseases and chronic illnesses feel less isolated. Over two years, she researched, wrote, and illustrated a children's book. "You're Not Alone, Little Zebra." Carrie's personal experience inspired her project. She has a rare genetic disease called Hypermobility EhlersDanlos syndrome (hEDS), which affects her connective tissues, leading to frequent joint dislocations and pain. After a long medical journey, she realized that children with hEDS lack representation and identity. She decided to fill the gap in literature by writing her book.
Carrie led a team of volunteers to carry out her project. “The Zebra Team”, included children with various chronic illnesses and rare diseases. The children helped her accurately depict their medical journeys in the book. She also worked with Texas Children's Hospital, PRISM, an EDS specialty clinic in Maryland, and the Ehlers-Danlos Society. The organizations helped her donate the books to medical facilities and other locations in multiple states.
Carrie posted her book on her website and it went viral reaching more than 75,000 people across the world, including some in Europe! The book is also on Amazon, with all proceeds going to the National Organization of Rare Disorders (NORD).
GSUSA awards a scholarship every year to one Gold Award Girl Scout in each council across the country for their outstanding work on their Gold Award project. The Gold Award is the highest award a Girl Scout can earn.
We're so proud of Carrie’s accomplishment and can’t wait to see what she does next! Read more about her scholarship-winning project or order a copy of her book at www.yourenotalonelittlezebra.com.
Thank You, Donors!
$25,000-$49,999 –
Ambassador Bank of America
The Melbern G. and Susanne M. Glasscock Foundation
United Way of Beaumont and North Jefferson County
$10,000-$24,999 –Senior
ABB
Girl Scouts of the USA
Harris County Hospital District Foundation
Port Houston
SheSpace
Kathy M. Tamer
TDECU Cares Foundation
United Way of Greater Baytown Area & Chambers County
$5,000-$9,999 –
Cadette Bristow Group Inc
Anna Bayardo Charlton
Community Foundation of Brazoria County
The Dow Chemical Company
Marquard & Bahls AG OXY
Cathy Wining-Thomas and Jim Thomas
$1,000-$4,999 – Junior
The Agosto Family Bank of Texas
Roberto J. Bayardo
Jordan Bingham
Justin Burney
Morven S. Edwards
Meredith Beasley Eick Foundation for Southeast Texas
Holly D. Gardner
Corrie B. Jenkins
Ana M. Kopf
Demetra L. Liggins
Magideh Marlowe
McGuireWoods, LLP
Nacogdoches Area
United Way
Teresa and Daniel Peneguy
Great care has been exercised to ensure the proper recognition of our donors. If an error or omission does occur, we apologize and hope you will bring it to our attention. Contact Suzanne Carmona at scarmona@sjgs.org. Contributions made April 1 – June 30, 2025.
Robert C. Rice
Melanie Rippentrop
Sally Anne Schmidt
Shell Energy Solutions
Nancy and Bud Simpson
Stellar Bank
Melody van Denzen
Louise A. Villejo
Genevieve S. Walls
$250-$999 – Brownie
Dorothy Ables
Kanisha Aikin
Vincent Berend
Marj D. Bernhardt
Nancy C. Bui
Magna R. Cayll
Cy-Fair Women’s Club
Mary Dodson
Enbridge Inc
ExxonMobil
Joan and Steve Gilliland
Bonnie and John Homier
Thomas I. Jackson
Theodore Koinis
Boyd S. Lange
Tricia Moody
Lori Poliski and Paul Gross
Linda B. Rosenberg
Linda M. Ross
Aimée R. Sproles
Eboni Taylor Mallett
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Troop 8588
Tamika Tyson
United Way of Allegheny County
United Way of Greater Atlanta
United Way of Midland County
Danielle Ward
Memorials In Memory of Hope Fletcher
Linda M. Ross
In Memory of Stacy Methvin
The Agosto Family
Theodore Koinis
Ana M. Kopf
Marquard & Bahls AG
Cathy McRae
Lee Newick
Dorothy and Malcolm Paterson
Jennifer Rigsby
Kathleen Sanborn
Aimée R. Sproles
In Memory of Jay Charles O’Brien
Suzon Bridges
In Memory of
Emma Kaye Pittman
Viana Armstrong
Honorariums
In Honor of
Jill Mannino Peck
Zoya Volkov
In Honor of Michel Schulz
Staci Black
John Wisinger
Leave a Legacy with the Juliette Gordon Low Society
Planned giving has been part of Girl Scouts’ legacy since our founder, Juliette Gordon Low, transformed the carriage house of her home into the first national Girl Scout headquarters— and ensured its future by bequeathing the property to Girl Scouts in her will.
Today, anyone who includes Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council (GSSJC) in their estate plans becomes a member of the Juliette Gordon Low Society. Through their generosity, these donors help ensure that future generations of girls have access to the same empowering experiences that shaped their own lives.
Many lifelong members, alumnae, volunteers, and friends choose to give for deeply personal reasons. Here’s what a few have shared:
“Girls are our future leaders and workforce. This is a program open to girls of all walks of life, and, to me, that’s important.”
— Member, Juliette Gordon Low Society
“Girl Scouting has offered so much to my own daughters over the years...It’s been a meaningful way to give back and help girls grow in confidence and maturity.”
— Former troop leader and society member
Creating a lasting impact through a planned gift is easier than you might think. You can name Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council as a beneficiary in your will or trust—whether it’s a flat amount, a percentage of your estate, or a specific asset.
There’s no minimum required, and every gift— large or small—helps build the next generation of female leaders.
If you’ve already included GSSJC in your estate plans—or would like to explore how to get started—we’d be honored to welcome you into the Juliette Gordon Low Society.
To connect, please reach out to Susan Thraen at sthraen@sjgs.org or 713-292-0331.
Every planned gift, no matter the amount, creates a ripple effect of positive impact—for our girls, and for generations to come.
Thank You, Oncor Electric Delivery and Endura Products
Nacogdoches Area United Way Day of Caring
A heartfelt thank you to the amazing volunteers from Oncor Electric Delivery and Endura Products who generously gave their time and energy at Camp Whispering Pines for United Way of Nacogdoches’ Day of Caring!
These dedicated teams rolled up their sleeves to tackle painting and landscaping projects that will leave a lasting impact on our camp and the girls who experience it. Their hard work helps ensure our spaces remain safe, beautiful, and welcoming for everyone.
We’re deeply grateful for their commitment to community service and for helping us bring positive change to the lives we touch. Thank you for making a difference!
Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council