for the News-Tribune
MARTINSBURG — Girl Scouts of Shawnee Council Inc. is proud to announce an area girl who has earned the Gold Award — Girl Scouts' highest honor.
Keyser resident Jennifer McQuinn, daughter of Lynn and Richard McQuinn, has completed her Gold Award project.
As a member of Troop 583, Jennifer became aware of a need to provide educational and fun activities during the summer months to girls. Her project targeted girls between first and fifth grades, who she felt was the most vulnerable to adverse influences.
The project consisted of three separate events. A week-long day camp was held in June at the Keyser Presbyterian Church’s multi-purpose building. By coordinating with Keyser Police Department, the Keyser Fire Department, members of Keyser Emergency Services, West Virginia Department of Natural Resources and Forestry, the participants were instructed on bike safety, fire safety, first aid, CPR, and plants and animals native to West Virginia.
The second event was held in July at Rainbow Lanes. where the participants enjoyed bowling.
The final event was held at the Keyser Swimming Pool in August, where participants enjoyed water games and swimming.
Jennifer is a senior at Keyser High School, where she participates in bowling, is a mat-maid for the wrestling team, and is a statistician for the boys’ track team, as well as a member of Keyser Krazies, SADD, and Youth Alive.
In addition to working on her Gold Award, Jennifer attended the West Virginia National Guard Youth Leadership Camp at Camp Dawson, W.Va., and served as a team leader for Relay for Life.
After graduating, Jennifer plans to pursue a criminal justice degree at Potomac State College. She also plans to enlist in the West Virginia Air National Guard, Martinsburg division.
Jennifer has also been an active member of Girl Scouts for the past 11 years. She has worked as a camp counselor at Camp White Rock in Capon Bridge, W.Va.
In addition to earning the Gold Award, she has earned the Bronze and Silver awards.
Her other interests are traveling, biking, swimming, hunting, target practice and camping.
She is an American Red Cross blood donor and is an active member of the Church of the Assumption in Keyser.
The Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouts, recognizes the leadership, effort, and impact girls ages 14 – 18 have on their communities. This award, introduced by Girl Scouts of USA in 1980, is bestowed upon only one percent of all eligible Girl Scouts in the nation annually.
Girls who aspire to attain this award demonstrates a serious commitment to bettering their communities and the world around them. Through the completion of a combination of self-evaluation, leadership experiences, career exploration, networking and service projects, each Gold Award hopeful must demonstrate ability and skills in goal — setting, planning, putting values into action, and relating to the community.
Girl Scouts of Shawnee Council Inc. is one of more than 100 councils that make up Girl Scouts of USA. The staff, board of directors, and volunteers serve girls in 14 counties in three states.
Girl Scouts of Shawnee Council Inc. is a member of the United Way.
