July 19, 2007

CONTACT:  Jane Brust, 323-442-2830, Jane.Brust@usc.edu or
                Mary Riherd Broomfield, Marketing and Public Relations Director
                (626) 445-7771, ext. 313, mbroomfield@gsmwvc.org

Elite Girl Scout Troop Raising Funds for Savannah Trip

ARCADIA – Thirteen Girl Scouts from the Mt. Wilson Vista Council have been selected for an elite Girl Scout troop that will travel to Savannah, Georgia, in the summer of 2008. 

The Savannah Travel Troop is already busy planning their travel itinerary – which will include a visit to the birthplace of Girl Scout founder Juliette Gordon Low -- and raising funds through a variety of activities.

One very special fundraising event will be a Fashion Show and Tea on Sunday, September 23, at the Arcadia Community Center, 365 Campus Drive, Arcadia. Two seatings will take place at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., both featuring tasty tea treats and a fashion show of historic Girl Scout uniforms modeled by girls. In addition, the 1 p.m. event will feature a tribute to the Silver Trefoils -- a group of dedicated life-long Girl Scouts now in their seventies. [Click here to download the flier]

Each event also will feature gift basket raffles and boutique sales. All these items will be created by the Savannah troop Girl Scouts who are planning the event.

“Troop leaders, parents and Girl Scouts throughout the Council – and their friends and family -- are invited to attend this event to celebrate scouting, honor the inspirational Silver Trefoils, and support the Savannah Travel Troop,” said Patti Brundige, troop co-leader. 

“Service Units and troops might want to make this a mother-daughter outing and/or an opportunity to purchase tickets for valued volunteers to enjoy the event.”

Tickets are priced at $25 for adults and $17 for youth ages 5-17.  Event patches also may be ordered in advance for $3 each.  Reservations and checks (made payable to GSMWVC) may be mailed to troop co-leader Joan Stiegelmar, 1827 S. Ninth Ave., Monrovia, CA 91016.  Please indicate the number of adult vs. youth reservations, the number of patches, and the preferred seating time.

Questions may be directed to Brundige at (818) 970-4320 or Stiegelmar at (626) 447-6798.

The travel troop selection process, which began last fall, included written application and personal interviews. The girls were selected on the basis of their experience in and commitment to Girl Scouting.  The 13 girls are:

Samantha Boller of La Crescenta, daughter of Samantha and Scott Boller. In her eighth year of Girl Scouting, Samantha is an experienced traveler who believes Girl Scouting has helped her become a better person.

Kelly Brundige of La Crescenta, daughter of Patti Brundige, one of the two adult Girl Scout co-leaders for the Savannah Travel Troop. In her tenth year of Girl Scouting, Kelly also enjoys cross-country, soccer, field hockey and Junior Religious Activity Council.

Dana Chernich of La Crescenta, daughter of Gale Chernich.  In her ninth year of Girl Scouting, Dana enjoys camping, community service and meeting other girls.

Claire Cutler of La Crescenta, daughter of Chip Cutler and Becky Sanderson.  In her ninth year of Girl Scouting, Claire enjoys dancing and soccer, and she “absolutely loves” Girl Scouting because she can have fun while doing helpful things.

Ariana Garcia, of El Monte, the daughter of  Monica and Matthew August and Larry Garcia. In her fifth year of Girl Scouting, Ariana is also a member of Troop 275.

Jennifer Glaeser, of South Pasadena, the daughter of Jane Brust and Chris Glaeser.  In her ninth year of Girl Scouting, Jennifer considers Girl Scout founder Low to be a “great role model” for girls.

Kaitlyn Ireland of La Crescenta, the daughter of Lisa and Gary Ireland. Active in Girl Scouting for six years, Kaitlyn says Girl Scouting challenges her to work hard to achieve her goals.

Michelle Jong of Pasadena, daughter of Karen and Bak Jong.  In her tenth year of Girl Scouting, Michelle is eager to learn more about the history of Girl Scouts.

Amy Martinez, of Altadena, the daughter of Suzanne White and Thomas Martinez.  In her thirteenth year of Girl Scouting, Amy traveled last year to the international Girl Scout Center in Mexico known as La Cabana.

Jody Richardson of Monrovia, the daughter of Valerie and Steven Richardson.  Active in Girl Scouting for ten years, Jody says Girl Scouting has taught her “to be strong on the inside and on the out, just to be her, and to be comfortable in her own skin.”

Lauren Schano of San Gabriel, the daughter of Laura and George Schano.  Active in Girl Scouting for seven years, Lauren loves a variety of sports and singing Girl Scout songs.

Nicole Stiegelmar of Monrovia, the daughter of Joan and Jim Stiegelmar. Active in Girl Scouting for nine years, Nicole has enjoyed a number of community activities, including making pillows for patients at the City of Hope.  She says the Savannah trip will be the experience of a lifetime.

Rebecca Tjoelker of La Crescenta, the daughter of Delinda and Bob Tjoelker.  In her ninth year of Girl Scouting, Rebecca considers herself a responsible leader who knows how to cooperate with others. 

Patti Brundige of La Crescenta and Joan Stiegelmar of Monrovia are the two adult Girl Scout leaders for the Savannah Travel Troop.