Local Girl Scouts sold raffle tickets during the gala silent auction for the opportunity to win a $2500 Gift Certificate to Asanti Fine Jewellers. -Photo by Laura Gaghan

Some 250 guests enjoyed a fabulous evening at the historic California Club in downtown Los Angeles that included an exciting silent and live auction and a special video presentation honoring Girl Scouts’ 95th Anniversary. Musical entertainment was provided by the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Jazz Combo and several Girl Scout musicians.

Los Angeles Times Sports Columnist and author Bill Plaschke was joined by LA Times Columnist and author Chris Erskine for an exciting live auction. Four outstanding individuals were honored for their commitment to the Girl Scout Mission of building girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place.

Mt. Wilson Vista Council presented the Girl Scouts – Courage Award to Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire, President and Co-Founder of Berkhemer Clayton, Inc., an Executive Search firm with a vast array of prominent clients. Ms. Berkhemer-Credaire also founded and built one of the largest independent public relations agencies in Los Angeles (later acquired by Golin/Harris Communications). Through her professional accomplishments, Ms. Berkhemer-Credaire demonstrates courage in tackling the challenges and overcoming the obstacles that accompany starting and running a successful business.  Ms. Berkhemer-Credaire, a former Girl Scout, is a positive role model for girls to strive for both personal and career achievements in their lives.
 
Steven Peterman and Michael Poryes, the Creators/Writers/Producers of Disney Channel’s hit television show Hannah Montana, were honored with the Girl Scouts – Confidence Award.  Through their work and creation of Hannah Montana, Peterman and Poryes poignantly depict how girls and young women can meet challenges with confidence, make good choices, pursue their dreams, and achieve happiness and success in life.  In today’s world of peer pressure, demands for academic achievement, and numerous other distracting and negative influences that make adolescence a challenging experience, Peterman and Poryes provide inspiration for girls and young women to develop the confidence to overcome these obstacles.
 
The Girl Scouts – Character Award was presented to Annette Castro Ramirez.  Through her work on the Mt. Wilson Vista Council Board of Directors, her personal and professional endeavors, and her contributions to other nonprofit organizations, Ms. Castro Ramirez has promoted integrity, respect, fairness, and a social conscience for girls throughout the community.  As a philanthropist, political fundraiser, mother and wife (and former Girl Scout), Ms. Castro Ramirez has been and continues to be an outstanding character role model.

This year's event was co-chaired by Janet Braun, attorney and long-time Girl Scout Volunteer; and Scott Keys, CFO - IndyMac Bank and Mt. Wilson Vista Council Board Member.

Since its inception in 1912, Girl Scouts has impacted the lives of more than 50 million women.  As the world's preeminent organization for girls, Girl Scouts has long contributed to success among girls and women by offering opportunities for personal and leadership development, exposure to positive female role models, and a focus on community involvement. 

Mt. Wilson Vista Council, a chartered council with Girl Scouts of the USA, serves 23 communities throughout the San Gabriel Valley in partnership with more than 4,300 adult volunteers. The council has begun a historic transformation with five other Los Angeles area Girl Scout Councils to build a single Girl Scout Council serving Greater Los Angeles County. The merger is part of a national transformation of the Girl Scout Movement to modernize the iconic organization and focus on leadership development for girls.

The new Los Angeles area council will be among the largest councils across the nation, with an initial enrollment of 45,000 to 50,000 girls.  The new structure will make the most effective use of resources to better serve local communities and create more opportunities in Girl Scouting for even more girls.

As a partner in this transformation, Mt. Wilson Vista Council is enthusiastically working to transition over the next year toward this new Girl Scout entity.