Girl Scouts celebrate Court of Awards ceremony
MAPLETON NEWS
by Jennifer Buzza
Mapleton Girl Scout Troop 1133 held its annual Court of Awards ceremony March 21. The ceremony opened with the introduction of all 10 troop members, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, Girl Scout Promise and Girl Scout Law. One by one, each troop member made their individual presentation on the country of England. For the past four years, the troop has selected a country home to one of the Girl Scout World Centers to study in celebration of Girl Scout Thinking Day. This year, each troop member had a topic to research and returned to a meeting in February to teach their sister Scouts. Topics the girls researched included language and common phrases, the Royal Wedding, tourist attractions, cuisine, Summer Olympics, holidays and celebrations, transportation, currency, population and the country’s flag. The girls shared their poster creations and one shared a Power Point presentation during the ceremony.
The eight Brownies and two Juniors received numerous fun patches for outings and activities since November including a pizza party, ice skating, cookie rally, First Aid training at the Mapleton Fire Department, Thinking Day celebration, Planet Head Day, Girl Scout’s 100th Birthday, Girl Scout Sunday and the Scout Show at the Mall. Several badges were earned by both levels including Money Manager, First Aid, Philanthropist, Business Owner and Simple Meals.
The top five cookie sellers in the troop were also recognized. Bethany Baker sold 304 boxes, Jenna Mountain sold 327 boxes, Katelyn Amero sold 351 boxes, Amanda Winslow sold 424 boxes and Madelyn Buzza sold 490 boxes. All five girls have successfully completed Girl Scout Council of Maine’s 10-steps to earn a free week at Camp Natarswi this summer! Together, the troop sold 2,426 boxes of cookies and thanks to the generosity of their customers, donated 111 boxes to Caring Area Neighbors for Cancer Education and Recovery (C.A.N.C.E.R.).
Parent volunteers were also honored and recognized for donating extra time to the troop by assisting in planning a troop meeting, helping count money following fundraisers, offering to provide transportation to an event or by attending troop meetings. Those receiving Family Star certificates and patches were Alexis Getchell and her mother, Tammy Getchell; Delaney Alward and her mother, Wendy Maple; Sydney Robichaud and her mother, Jennifer Robichaud; Katelyn Amero and her mother, Laurie Amero; Amanda Winslow and her mother, Nancy Winslow and Madelyn Buzza and her mother, Jennifer Buzza.
Three troop members were recognized for earning the Council’s Centennial Patch, a special patch program created in honor of the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouting. Troop members earning this patch on their own were Jenna Mountain, Katelyn Amero and Amanda Winslow. Each Scout had to complete 100 acts of community service. Individually, these girls donated items to the Central Aroostook Humane Society, toys to a local toy drive, personal care items to the Sister Mary O’Donnell Homeless Shelter, winter coats to Mapleton Elementary School, prize box prizes to a second-grade class at Mapleton Elementary School, and one Scout baked cookies for the Presque Isle Police and Fire Departments. Each girl received the commemorative patch, “100 Deeds Well Done.”
The ceremony concluded with the girls singing two of their favorite songs, the Girl Scout version of “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” and “Alice Camel.” Following the ceremony, family and friends were invited to enjoy a piece of birthday cake celebrating Girl Scouting’s 100th year.
Mapleton Troop 1133 members are Brownies Delaney Alward, Bethany Baker, Madelyn Buzza, Alexis Getchell, Alexus LaFerriere, Jenna Mountain, Sydney Robichaud and Amanda Winslow. Junior members are Katelyn Amero and Rebecca Rider. The troop is in its fourth year and is led by Jennifer Buzza, Nancy Winslow and Laurie Amero.
Birthdays
Birthday wishes this week go out to Randy Stephenson, Isaac Currier, Geneva Archer, Walter St. Peter Jr., Mike Perkins Jr., Wayne Bushey, Louise Boucher, Alma Libby, Katelyn Michaud, Stacey Smith, Isaac Clark, Ericka Cole, Jason House and Danny Michaud.
Anniversary
Happy anniversary this week to Gordon and Charlene Buzza on the 29th!
Mapleton Daze meeting
Just a reminder that the Mapleton Lions Club will be holding an organizational meeting for those interested in helping with the 2012 Mapleton Daze plans Thursday, April 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hall.
Box tops, soup labels and juice pouches
Have you noticed the colorful coupons on some of your grocery packaging that say “Box Tops for Education?” Have you wondered what they were for and who might benefit from them? What about the point coupons on the back of Campbell’s Soup and Spaghetti O’s cans? Well, the students at the Mapleton Elementary School, under the direction of the Mapleton Parents Organization, have an on-going fundraiser and would welcome the support of the community!
All you need to do is cut out the “Box Tops” from any participating company’s product or remove the soup labels from your Campbell’s soup cans (as well as other Campbell’s products). If you have a student that attends MES, place those box tops and point coupons in a small bag and send it to school. The MPO receives 10 cents for each box top and credit toward products for the school with the Campbell’s points. The school is also collecting Capri Sun pouches! What a great way to help the students in the community and do a little recycling in the process.
Luncheon March 30
The Mapleton United Methodist Church will be hosting a second March luncheon Friday, March 30 at 11:30 a.m. All are invited to attend. There will not be a luncheon April 6 in observance of Good Friday.
Jennifer Buzza is the correspondent for Mapleton, Castle Hill and Chapman. She can be reached at 760-9115 or by e-mail at jbuzza@ainop.com.
