With gratitude for our volunteers’ contributions in the 2023-2024 membership year
2025 Volunteer Appreciation Ceremonies
Toledo: Sunday, April 13
Lima: Thursday, May 8
Cincinnati: Friday, May 9
Dayton: Thursday, May 22
Congratulations, volunteers! | Page 1
Table of Contents
Council-wide Honorees page 3-5
Years of Service page 6
Appreciation Pin page 7-10
Green Badge of Courage page 11
Honor Pin page 12-13
Service Team Star page 14-16
Thanks Badge & Thanks Badge II page 17-18
Volunteer of Excellence page 19-27
Tenure Numeral Guard page 28-29
Council-wide Honorees
Appreciation Pin
Carrie Armstrong
Stephanie Aspacher
Cathy Barciz
Megan Bellis-Vance
Stephanie Blue
Ashleigh Brunney
Heidi Clements
Nicole Collins
Nicole Daniels
Tara Donovan
Jennifer Eason
Elizabeth Erb
Amber Finfrock-Gusweiler
Sierra Fox
Lyndsey Goodman
Cindy Gorth
Abby Grine
Colleen Hamman
Lori Hartman
Christina Heidi
Nicki Hentz
Magen Holbrook
Sandy Howard
Rachel Ketterman
Julie Koebel
Kelly Kunkler
Jenny Martin
Meg Martin
Diane Mattson
Nancy Mauter
Katrina Mays
Angie McGinnis
Lindsay McNeal
Morgan Mergy
Regina Merry
Pattianne Opperman
Donna Patterson
Stacy Perin
Maggie Querry
Amber Rennick
Melissa Schindler
Cindy Sharpnack
Kay Shellaberger
Ashlee Skinner
Jennifer Soeder
Polly Sowers
Traci Stewart
Natasha Stiffler
Cheyanne Taulbee
Karen Timmerman
Katelynn Trickett
Cathi Warner
Karen Wedeln
Leigh White
Olivia Yeupell
Council-wide Honorees
Green Badge of Courage
Vicki Blanco
Liz Case
LaDonna Compton
Kylie Dunn
Honor Pin
Amy Armstrong-Smith
Cris Austin
Debora Baker
Debbie Baker-Snell
Service Team Star
Alicia Alvarado
Nichole Bear
Beth Claypool
Sandy Combs
Johanna Culbertson
Kathrine Deedon
Cathy DeZarn
Laura Docter
Brenda Fry
Tonya Fry
Shannon Hairston
Thanks Badge
Jeanne Devine
Jennifer Fulop
Kisha Freeman
Rebekah Nienaber
Lisa Phillips
Jennifer Briede
Erin Campbell
Bobbi Donovan
Katy Luebbe
Ken McNeal
Valerie Moreno
Cathy Muterspaw
Dannette Richards
Jessica Honnold
Jill Hooten
Nicole Horn
Amber Huggins
Kristen Karkan
Paula Kiser
Stephanie Klemm
Vicki Kueterman
Kim Kuhn
Sarah Legatt
Suzzi Luken
Erin Nagy
Jennifer Nast
Angela Page
Kimberly Reinhard
Kristi Rosz
Alyse Rudemiller
Sarah Ruffing
Christy Schroer
Megan Sherman
Thanks Badge II
Kathy Crouch
Council-wide Honorees
Volunteer of Excellence
Emma Allen
Tiffany Bailey
Sadie Ball
Ann Bazaley
Rebecca Boehm
Lindsay Boon
Julie Brum
Katharine Brutz
Nicole Bullock
Katie Cantrell
Angie Carnes
Brooke Carr
Brandi Clark
Hannah Clary
Miranda Couch
Sarah Current
Dr. Tia Daniels
Allison Dietz
Tiffany Doakes
Courtney Drury
Skye Duncan
Katie Dziak
Amanda Femano
Kim Ferguson
Alyssa Flower
Crystal Fordyce
Kelly Franklin
Joanna Garcia
Ryanne Gingerich
Karen Gruenberg
Erin Guendelsberger
Trisha Haughn
Deidre Hazelbaker
Stephanie Heitz
Allison Hinrichs
Michelle Ireton
Sharon Jenkins
Bridget Johnson
Brittany Kellogg
Ann Kim
Sudha Keerthana
Komaragiri
Steven Konesni
Aleysia Korn
Alyson Kunkle
Tracy Lathrop
Michelle Legge
Tammy LeMaster
Amanda Looper
Jaqueline Luebbe
Brittni Markward
Leslie Mitchell
Heather Montalvo
Anne Moore
Felicia Mort
Jennifer Ortiz
Megan Parker
Jessica Pascoe
Carla Pattin
Ashliey Randall
Lacie Reeser
Tara Robertson
Abigail Ruddy
Stephanie Shaner
Elizabeth Singler
Brandi Smith
Rebecca Sortman
Veronica Sowards
Pan Spychalski
Erin Stevens
Bethany Stobart
Lacey Sullivan
Alicia Tillotson
Gretchen Uptegraft
Kathy Valenti
Karen Wells
Misty Whalen
Steven Wilkinson
Samantha Willis
Sarah Wright
Jocelyn Wright
Learn more about these national & council
Years of Service
Recognizing years of active service as a Girl Scout adult member
5 Years
Lisa Roessner
20 Years
Nicole Byerly
Tonya Fry
Brandi Smith
Jennifer Stone
Karen Timmerman
25 Years
Kerrie Wiese
Kristen Willison
Stephanie Young
Charlette Wilson
30 Years
Catherine Dezarn
Courtney Drury
35 Years
Jennifer Kim
Karen Wendeln
45 Years
Beverly Miner
Carol Sommers
Julia Spohr
60 Years
Shirley Green
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.
Elizabeth Erb Miami
Elizabeth is a Lifetime Member of Girl Scouts and has been involved with GSWO and previously Great Rivers Girl Scout Council as a volunteer for 25 years. She grew up as a girl member in the Kentuckiana Girl Scout Council. Elizabeth is a troop leader of a multilevel older girl troop, an outdoor trainer, a member of the service team, and director of a volunteer-led day camp held in Goshen Ohio. Her camp name is Sassafras. Elizabeth recently retired from working as an analytical chemist in the pulp and paper industry. She has two adult children, and her daughter is a Lifetime Member of Girl Scouts after completing 12 years as a girl member.
Lori Hartman Hoosier Hills
Lori is a dedicated working mother of three—a 7-yearold daughter, and 5-year-old boy and girl twins. She has been a Girl Scout co-leader for two years and recently completed her second season as the Service Unit Cookie Coordinator for Service Unit 407.
Appreciation Pin
Magen Holbrook
Hamilton Trails
Magen has been a troop leader for four years, including one year on the tiny island of Kwajalein in the Pacific. The best part of her experience has been getting to know each of her girls, and growing and laughing right alongside them.
Stacy Perin
Southern Auglaize Co.
When Stacy’s daughter wanted to join Girl Scouts, there was no troop available in New Knoxville. Stacy stepped up when no one volunteered, and it’s been one of her best decisions. She loves guiding girls and watching them grow. Stacy joined the service unit to encourage more Girl Scouts. With an amazing co-leader and a great service unit, Stacy is grateful to be part of it all.
Maggie Querry
Sycamore
Maggie started as a leader in 2016 with her oldest daughter, who is now a third-year Cadette. In 2019, she began helping with her youngest daughter’s troop, now first-year Cadettes. She has managed the Fall Product Program for both troops and the Cookie Program for her oldest daughter. Maggie also volunteers with the service unit as the Product Chair and has run the Cookie Rally for the past few years. Her girls love attending GSWO events and taking trips together. Maggie truly enjoys watching the girls grow and learn what it means to be a Girl Scout.
Amber Rennick
Hamilton Trails
Amber has been involved in Girl Scouts since she was a young girl, and for the past three and a half years, she has served as a troop leader for 12 amazing young ladies in a multi-level troop. A firm believer in the Girl Scout mission, Amber is inspired by the program’s ability to empower girls and young women to become leaders and build confidence. As a stay-athome mom of three children, Amber also serves as the Youth Outreach Liaison and a Sunday School teacher at Millville Avenue Church of God. She is an active volunteer with Missions in Motion and serves as a baseball and soccer team mom.
Kay Shellabarger
Preble Co.
Kay has been a multi-level troop leader and Service Unit Treasurer for many years. She has enjoyed the experience, laughing, learning, and meeting new people alongside the girls.
Ashlee Skinner
Champaign Co.
Ashlee joined Girl Scouts in first grade in 1999, thanks to her mom, who signed her up despite her fear and shyness. Although she didn’t want to go at first, Ashlee is grateful she did. Girl Scouts helped her break out of her shell, try new and exciting things, and form lifelong friendships. The experiences she gained have stayed with her, and she is proud to now share those same values and adventures with her own children.
Some volunteers did not submit bios. See p. 3 - 5 for the complete list of honorees!
Appreciation Pin
Cheyanne Taulbee Northbrook
Leading a Girl Scout troop has been an unexpected and amazing adventure for Cheyanne. She has discovered that while guiding girls, she is also growing alongside them. Girl Scouts has sparked a passion in Cheyenne to be a better person, be a responsible community member, and create lasting, positive change.
Karen Wendeln Piqua Covington
Karen led Troop 642 in Piqua for 13 years and is a Lifetime Member of Girl Scouts. She has held various roles, including Service Unit Manager and training consultant, and helped her Service Unit earn the President’s Award in 2004. Karen was inducted into the Buckeye Trails Hall of Fame in 2007 and named one of the Top 100 for GSUSA’s 100th anniversary. She has been the Treasurer of the Piqua/Covington/Sugar Grove Service Unit for 11 years.
Olivia Yeupell Algoma
Olivia has been involved in Girl Scouts for nine years, initially becoming a leader when her daughter joined. She now assists with three different troops and enjoys watching the girls grow as they take on new challenges. Through her leadership, she has also learned skills she hadn’t known before.
Green Badge of Courage
The Green Badge of Courage recognizes a volunteer who has performed a courageous act or met a challenge in a creative way within their role as a Girl Scout volunteer.
LaDonna Compton Hardin Co.
LaDonna joined Girl Scouts as an adult in 1990, taking charge of the annual Cookie Program with Appleseed Ridge Council. After retiring, her daughter volunteered her as Cookie Manager for SU 221, a role she still holds. While her staff work focused on business, volunteering has allowed her to enjoy working directly with Girl Scouts. Her greatest joy is watching shy Girl Scout Daisies grow into confident leaders who run the Cookie Rally.
Rebekah Nienaber
Singing Oaks
Bekah is a medical assistant at Mercy Health. Her daughter, Evelynn, decided to join Girl Scouts in April 2024. Bekah and Evelynn have enjoyed the experience of Girl Scouting, which has helped them grow and learn new things.
Some volunteers did not submit bios. See p. 3 - 5 for the complete list of 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. They actively recognize, understand, and practice the values of inclusive behavior.
Cris Austin Niihka
Cris was a Girl Scout as a Brownie in her youth. She has been a leader for three years and has served on the service team for two years. Cris loves the opportunities that Girl Scouts has provided for her daughter to grow and experience new things. For her, it’s the pride in her daughter’s face after accomplishing a task, the smiles shared with friends, and the close relationships she’s built along the way that have made it all worthwhile.
Debbie Baker
Joining Hands
Debbie has been a Girl Scout Leader since 2002, first leading for her three daughters, then her great-niece, and hopefully, her granddaughter one day. Her favorite part of Girl Scouts is watching girls accomplish new things and seeing their excitement when they succeed.
Valerie Moreno Algoma
Valerie leads two multi-level troops in Bryan, Troops 10499 and 10565, and serves as treasurer for Troop 1077 in Edon. She’s also a GSLE, outdoor trainer, and First Aid/CPR instructor in the Algoma service unit. Valerie enjoys collaborating with other troops for the best experiences for the girls and values the strong team in Algoma. Her favorite saying is, “You learn more from failure than from success. Don’t let it stop you! Failure builds character.”
Did you know? GSWO recognizes incredible Girl Scout volunteers all year long!
Volunteers of the Quarter
From planning big events to the small, special moments shared with girls—your efforts build Girl Scouts of courage, confidence, and character.
Meet the 2024-2025 Volunteers of the Quarter, or nominate someone who deserves recognition! gswo.org/awards
Service Team Star
The Service Team Star recognizes a volunteer who is or has been a service unit team member or appointed administrative volunteer, who has gone above and beyond their appointed role and has helped a service unit achieve one of their core responsibilities: recruit and retain members, direct support to leaders & girls, educating community about Girl Scouting, act as a communication center for Girl Scout volunteers, provide activities that reflect the Girl Scout Leadership Experience or providing ongoing coaching and education to volunteers.
Sandy Combs Niihka
Sandy’s Girl Scout journey began in 2009 when her daughter, Emma, was in kindergarten. She became a volunteer with Emma’s troop in Hamilton. Around 2015, they transferred to Niihka, where Sandy is part of the service team. Sandy also serves as a leader for Brownie Troop 46876, a leader in Trailblazer Troop 4782, and a volunteer for Troop 46812. She is a Lifetime Member of Girl Scouts.
Laura Docter
Lakota Trailblazers
Laura supports Girl Scouts and leaders in Liberty Township through the Lakota Trailblazers Service Unit as the GSLE liaison. For seven years, Laura has co-led her eldest daughter’s Cadette troop, guiding them through the Cookie Program, camping, horseback riding, volunteer events, and Bronze Award projects. She also volunteers with her youngest daughter’s Brownie troop and has served as Fall Product and Cookie Manager. Laura’s favorite part of Girl Scouts is helping girls grow in confidence and realize their potential to make a positive impact on the world.
Shannon Hairston Huber Heights
Having been a Girl Scout as a child, Shannon was thrilled to rejoin the organization to share this journey with her daughter. Serving as a troop leader has been a source of immense joy for Shannon as she watches young ladies embrace their own strengths and embody the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
Jill Hooten
Beavercreek North
Jill Hooten is a married mom of two from Beavercreek with 42 years of Girl Scout experience. A Lifetime Member, Jill earned her Silver and Gold Awards. As a military spouse, she has been a Girl Scout leader for her daughters in Florida, Virginia, Texas, and Ohio. The strong legacy of Girl Scouts in her family was handed down by her mom, who encouraged her to pursue Wider Op Trips to Wyoming and Mexico. Currently, she leads a Cadette troop, serves on the Beavercreek North Service Team, and volunteers at her church and Beavercreek City Schools, cherishing the privilege of guiding future generations through Girl Scouts.
Paula Kiser Fire Trails
Paula has been a troop leader for eight years, sharing the experience with her two daughters. Over the years, she has watched the girls in her troop learn and grow together. For the past six years, she has enjoyed managing a cookie cupboard from her house. In September 2024, she also took on the role of Fire Trails Service Unit Treasurer.
Service Team Star
Sarah Legatt
Logan Co.
Sarah is the LoCo Service Unit Manager and a troop leader with over 30 years of Girl Scout experience. She has enjoyed activities like snowshoeing, kayaking, and traveling to Mexico. Sarah earned the Colette Mechler Award, Girl Scout Silver and Gold Awards, and emceed the Minneapolis Council’s Silver & Gold Awards ceremony. After supporting her sisters in Girl Scouts, she became a troop leader when her daughter started school, later stepping into a Service Unit role to share her passion with a new generation.
Sarah Ruffing
Darke Co.
Sarah is a troop leader and Service Unit Treasurer. She started her Girl Scout journey in Connecticut with her mom as her leader. Her favorite memories include overnight camp, swimming, canoeing, and working in the dining hall. Sarah returned to Girl Scouts four years ago when her daughter Brynn joined and the county needed a new troop leader. Despite challenges, Girl Scouts provides meaningful bonding time for Sarah, Brynn, and other women with shared values. She loves planning activities and outings for the Darke County Service Unit.
Megan Sherman Piqua Covington
Megan Sherman is currently a kindergarten teacher at Piqua Catholic School. She is a Girl Scout leader of a Junior/Cadette troop in Troy-Miami East Service Unit. She has been a leader for the last six years. She is currently the Product Chair for Piqua Covington Service Unit. Even though Megan was never a Girl Scout in her youth, she became part of the Girl Scout Mission when she worked at GSWO from 2009 to 2019. She is a Lifetime Member, and her heart is full of Girl Scout Green.
Thanks Badge
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.
Jeanne Devine
Jeanne’s involvement with the Catholic Committee for Girl Scouts of Western Ohio (CCGSWO) has been a meaningful way for her to continue fostering “girls of courage, confidence, and character” in the communities she loves. She is deeply grateful for her mom’s passion for Girl Scouts, her own enriching experiences as a youth, the leaders who guided her, and the chance to lead her daughters’ troops for 10 years. Over the past six years, Jeanne has developed lasting relationships with the dedicated women of Girl Scouts of Western Ohio while serving on the CCGSWO.
Some volunteers did not submit bios. See p. 3 - 5 for the complete list of honorees!
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, delivering outstanding service to the council or the entire Girl Scout Movement.
Kathy Crouch
The Amitola
Kathy has been a Girl Scout for 25 years and just finished her 14th Cookie Program as a Service Unit Cookie Coordinator, and coordinator for the Toledo Juliettes. She loves helping girls reach their goals and looks forward to cookie delivery weekend, catching up with Kappa Delta girls, and working with the warehouse crew. The best part is seeing the girls’ faces when they receive their earned rewards, which keeps her coming back year after year.
Some volunteers did not submit bios. See p. 3 - 5 for the complete list of honorees!
Volunteer of Excellence
The Volunteer of Excellence Award recognizes outstanding service while partnering directly with girls to implement the Girl Scout Leadership Experience through the use of Girl Scout Journeys, the Girls Guide to Girl Scouting, the Volunteer Toolkit, or any other GSUSA resource.
Emma Allen Niihka
Emma has been a Girl Scout since 2009, starting in kindergarten in a troop in Hamilton. She transferred to Niihka in 2015, earned her Bronze and Silver Awards, and her Gold Award in 2023. Now a lifetime member, Emma is the leader for Troop 46876 and a volunteer for Troops 46812 and 4782.
Sadie Ball
Flat Rock
Sadie is a nursing professional with nearly a decade of experience and is currently in nursing school. Sadie balances a vibrant life that includes outdoor activities, crocheting, and spending quality time with her husband and two children, Wesley and Allison. Sadie became a Girl Scout leader in 2024 to support her daughter and loves creating a positive impact alongside her co-leader, Beth. Sadie’s dedication reflects her unwavering desire to make a difference in the lives of those around her.
Volunteer of Excellence
Katharine Brutz Kettering
Katharine first became a Girl Scout troop leader in fall 2021. She has enjoyed a number of adventures with her multi-level troop, including an overnight trip to the Cincinnati Zoo and multiple trips to Camp Stonybrook. While these experiences have been great fun, her favorite part of being a leader is watching the girls in the troop grow into caring and confident young humans.
Sarah Current Beavercreek South
Sarah’s Girl Scout journey as a leader started three years ago alongside two other amazing leaders. She loves the Girl Scout organization, as well as the incredible support from council and her service unit.
Skye Duncan Niihka
Skye is a multilevel troop leader based in Middletown. She began when her daughter was a first-grade Daisy, and now, her daughter will soon bridge to the Junior level. Girl Scouts provides Skye the opportunity to work hands-on with the troop, building skills and offering experiences that many may not have access to. The troop enjoys camping, travel, and service projects. Skye loves creating a space in the community where she can connect with others and with her younger self, who didn’t have these kinds of opportunities.
Katie Dziak Fire Trails
Katie is a registered nurse working on inpatient units at her local hospital. She has volunteered with her Girl Scout troop for two years. She has two daughters, Nora, 8, and Piper, 6, and a 4-year-old son, Myles, with her husband, Justin.A former Girl Scout, Katie loves watching her girls develop life skills, build confidence, and succeed. She enjoys the relationships she’s built with other leaders and moms in the community.
Amanda Femano Beavercreek North
Amanda Femano is a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force, serving as a Logistics Officer for 17 years. She holds a Biological Sciences degree from the University of Delaware, an MBA, and a PhD in Logistics. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor at the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson AFB, teaching graduate-level logistics. In July, she will assume command of her second squadron in Texas, leading 850 logistics professionals. A former Girl Scout from kindergarten through 8th grade and a Silver Award recipient, Amanda is passionate about empowering girls to lead with confidence. As a woman in a male-dominated field, she has learned the value of assertive leadership and empathy. She and her husband, a U.S. Army soldier, have four children, three of whom are Girl Scouts. As a leader, she loves teaching campfire safety, cooking skills, and encouraging girls to explore the outdoors.
Kim Ferguson Clermont Lakes
Kim rejoined Girl Scouts about a year and a half ago to help start her daughter’s troop, recalling her own experience as a Brownie. She has truly enjoyed being a leader and is always eager to try new adventures.
Volunteer of Excellence
Crystal Fordyce Niihka
Crystal has been a Girl Scout for 12 years, first as a girl member for 10 years and now as an adult volunteer. She has served as a troop leader, Data Chair, and assisted with volunteer awards and parades. Crystal loves coordinating events and taking her troop on fun adventures. She is grateful for the experiences Girl Scouts gave her as a child and is now passing them onto her troop.
Joanna Garcia Beavercreek North
From Newark, DE, Joanna grew up in Girl Scouts, learning the value of community and teamwork as a Cadette. She encouraged her daughters, Charlotte and Lena, to join. A registered volunteer since 2020, she led Charlotte’s troop and later became Lena’s troop cookie manager. Outside of volunteering, Joanna enjoys crafting, cheering for the Yankees and Eagles, and spending time with family.
Erin Guendelsberger Eastern Hills
Erin is in her third year as co-leader of a Girl Scout troop, working alongside her fabulous co-leader, Victoria. Each year, the troop has grown. Erin focuses on the organizing side of things—managing membership, communicating with parents, handling finances, securing meeting space and supplies, and planning events. She finds it incredibly rewarding to see the girls learning and growing.
Stephanie Heitz
Lakota Trailblazers
Balancing family, career, and MBA studies, Stephanie drove Troop 4495’s four-year cookie success — cumulatively selling 10,000 cookies with an average of six girls, thanks to her rocking spreadsheet skills. She has a collaborative spirit and builds strong community ties. A mentor who embodies the Girl Scout spirit, she proves ‘adulting’ doesn’t mean sacrificing fun!
Bridget Johnson Hamilton Trails
Bridget has been a Girl Scout troop leader for Troop 4532 since 2022. The troop is a multi-level group, ranging from Daisies to Juniors, with 20 girls currently. Bridget loves planning and doing fun activities with her troop.
Sudha Keerthana Komaragiri COSMOS
Sudha has proudly served as a troop leader for four years, watching her girls grow in leadership, confidence, and a sense of community. Their Bronze and Silver Award projects provided a new platform to build a strong network and give back to the community.
Brittany Kellogg Niihka
Brittany began her Girl Scouts journey as a Daisy in 1990 while growing up in northern New Jersey. Although her time as a Girl Scout was brief, she rejoined for a year as a Junior. She now has the pleasure of serving as a co-leader of Troop 4034, where she gets to experience new adventures alongside her daughter, Ellie.
Volunteer of Excellence
Ann Kim Niihka
Ann has been a Girl Scout for 14 years, with this being her first year as an adult leader. She is currently leading Seniors in a multi-level troop. In the past year, she received her Gold Award and was named a 2024 GSWO Changemaker. In addition to stepping into a leader role, Ann continues to serve on the Butler County Jr. Fairboard as the Girl Scout representative and has helped organize first meetings for new troops. She plans to continue her summers at Volunteer Day Camp 7A.
Steven Konesni Baja Point
As an Eagle Scout himself, Steve wanted to pass on his knowledge and experiences to his daughters in Girl Scouts. After one year as a Juliette with his daughters, Steve wanted to do more. Thanks to the help and guidance of his wife, Steve stepped up to establish a new troop for the Daisies and Brownies at Ottawa River Elementary and is looking forward to going strong into their second year as a troop!
Alyson Kunkle
Shawnee
Oak Wind
Alyson joined Girl Scouts when her daughter started three years ago, not realizing she would become involved herself. Since then, she has become a troop leader and looks forward to their adventures.
Jacqueline Luebbe Niihka
Jacqueline is a lifetime Girl Scout with over 17 years of leadership experience and 15 years serving on the service team. Last year, she took a new step in sharing the positive impact of Girl Scouts by accepting the Membership Conversion and Data Specialist position at GSWO. Jacqueline values the opportunities Girl Scouts has given her and the people she’s connected with over the years, having been fortunate enough to meet some of her closest friends through the organization.
Anne Moore Piqua Covington
Anne is a dedicated volunteer with a passion for family and the outdoors. She was an assistant troop leader for Troop 3425 in their first year before becoming the troop leader and troop treasurer this year. Anne also volunteers at Springcreek Primary School, where she helps distribute Munch Bunch bags to students who are food insecure over the weekends. Outside of Girl Scouts, Anne is a stay-at-home mom who enjoys spending time with her family, their dog, camping, hiking, and friends. Her hobbies include painting, knitting, being outdoors, and playing sports.
Tara Robertson Beavercreek South
Tara has been a Girl Scout leader since 2019 when her daughter Penny joined. She’s enjoyed watching girls grow, develop new interests, and experience adventures together. In Girl Scouts, Tara has shared special moments with her daughter, made new friends, and gained valuable skills. She looks forward to more adventures with her daughter and their troop.
Volunteer of Excellence
Abbie Ruddy
Niihka
Abbie has been a volunteer with her daughter’s troop for the past two years, enjoying watching the girls learn, bond, and grow together. A former Girl Scout Daisy, Brownie, and Junior, she hopes to give her daughter the same meaningful experiences and lifelong friendships she had. Volunteering has also allowed Abbie to meet new people and form friendships of her own.
Liz Singler
Niihka
Liz was not a Girl Scout as a child, but became a volunteer for her daughter’s troop to support her learning and experiences. As she got to know the other Girl Scouts and leaders, Liz wanted to contribute more to make Girl Scouts enjoyable for everyone. Volunteering for Troop 4142 has been a rewarding experience, and she loves supporting girls as they grow.
Brandi Smith
Niihka
Brandi is a Lifetime Member with four adult children, two of whom are also Lifetime Members. She serves as a service team member for the Niihka Service Unit and leads a Brownie troop for her granddaughter. Brandi has been a volunteer for 20 years, having started as a Brownie in first grade, with her mother as her leader. She fondly remembers camping and earning the Ms. Fix-It badge in fifth grade. Her passion for Girl Scouts plays a significant role in her life. Brandi looks forward to continuing her family’s Girl Scout tradition for many years, especially with three granddaughters under the age of five.
Rebecca Sortman Honeycreek
Becky was a Girl Scout for eight years and has been a registered leader for 11. She’s enjoyed watching her daughter and fellow Girl Scouts grow through camping, badge work, service projects, trips to Savannah, GA, Niagara Falls, and earning the Highest Awards. With great memories and exciting plans ahead, the adventure continues.
Bethany Stobart Putnam
Bethany grew up in Girl Scouts, spending several years learning and making memories with her tightknit troop. With her mom serving as her troop leader, Bethany cherishes those experiences. Now, she feels both honored and joyful to start this journey with her own daughter and their great group of girls.
Jocelyn Wright Niihka
Jocelyn is a Girl Scout volunteer and assistant to Troop 4450. She enjoys being in nature with her chocolate lab, Chaco, making memories with family, and learning about Native American history. Jocelyn is currently performing in the play ‘Recasting Ever After’ in her hometown and is honored to have been nominated for a volunteer award.
Some volunteers did not submit bios. See p. 3 - 5 for the complete list of honorees!
Tenure Numeral Guard
The Numeral Guard (tenure) recognizes the combined number or years accumulated as a registered member, girl and adult, in five-year increments. Congratulations, Girl Scouts, on your many years of success, inspiration, and leadership!
