Brownie Troop #64

With each group I visit, I am always able to take something away. I learn about their view on relational aggression, their experiences, how it has changed them, how they feel, what impact they believe can be made…the list goes on and on! This particular troop, located in Owasso, gave me something incredibly thoughtful and special.

I met Troop #64 on Tuesday, March 13th – an exciting day for one of their troop members – Marina’s ninth birthday! Marina’s mom found my blog and invited me to speak with their troop. How amazing is that?! Little did I know what an amazing communication tool this blog would be when I began last year.

Troop #64

The troop of 2nd and 3rd graders were absolutely exuberant! Not only were they so intelligent, but insightful and reflective as I spoke with them. They told stories I could also relate to, particularly having a friend who did not invite you to their birthday party (though everyone else came back with loads of favors to school – further deepening the wound), because they could only invite eight girls and you were tenth on the list.

Having an inclusive personality, it still stings to think about the situation (which happened more than once). What is more unbelievable? Knowing that these girls are more than ten years younger than me, and the same scenarios are still playing out. Another troop member recalled being a bystander for a special needs student at school, and I could feel her bravery in standing up for a boy who did not possess the words to stop the aggressor himself. Remembering myself at her age, I knew I would not have had the courage for fear of becoming the victim. Proof that the Girl Scouts of the United States are instilling the most imperative of values in Oklahoma’s youth.

After I spoke to the girls, they gave me THE most amazing surprise! I was presented with a huge crate of books and puzzles for my classroom. Teaching in a  low-income area, I have no books outside of the ones my (fortunately very experienced!) co-teacher possesses. Eric Carle, Fancy Nancy, hard-back books, and wooden puzzles – like glitter to my teacher’s soul! I am so very grateful for their contribution and my students were SO excited to see new, bright, colorful books on our shelves this morning. THANK YOU Troop #64! It was such an amazing and kind gift.

We later celebrated Marina’s (she’s also an Oklahoma Star) birthday with cupcakes (I still have three months – plenty of time to celebrate with a sweet treat!), slap bracelets and green (yay!) necklaces. The girls asked me to autograph their glow-in-the-dark bracelets, slap bracelets, cups, you name it! That night, I was not the only role model in the room – but the small group of Owasso Brownies who portrayed selflessness and service to my students.

Thank you again, Troop #64!

Winter Meeting

Winter Meeting was held last Saturday and it was SO nice to have everyone in one room! There are 45 Miss contestants this year (more than I can ever remember competing!), with 23 rookies and 21 veterans. We’re quite outnumbered!

Team Green Country

In the morning we went over wardrobe requirements, ad pages (who wants to buy an ad from Miss Green Country?!), and the Duke of Edinburgh award. This award recently partnered with the Miss America Organization and the Boy Scouts of America, among many others world-wide. Teresa Scanlan, Miss America 2011, is an award winner as well! If I were to sum it all up, it could take a bit – so I copied this from the website to allow the creators to explain it as they intended it to be understood.

“We provide a balanced programme of activities that develops the whole person – mind, body and soul – in an environment of social interaction and team working.  Young people progress through three levels of DofE programmes to achieve a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award.

Taking part builds confidence and develops self-esteem.  It requires persistence, commitment and has a lasting impact on the attitudes and outlook of all young people who do their DofE.

Our participants are aged between 14 and 24.”

These are the reward requirements:

THREE LEVELS

The Award is based around three Levels, each successive one requiring a greater degree of commitment.

• BRONZE is for those 14 and older.  The minimum period of participation to gain this Award is 6 months
• SILVER is for those 15 and older.  The minimum period of participation to gain this Award is 6 months
• GOLD is for those 16 and older.  The minimum period of participation to gain this Award is 12 months

The Award may not be achieved in a shorter time span by working more intensively.  Participants must persist for at least the above minimum periods.

It is possible to start at any Level – many participants work their way through all three, while others start at Silver or Gold by fulfilling additional time requirements.

FOUR SECTIONS

To gain an Award, participants must complete activities in four Sections – one hour weekly for each activity.  Minimum periods of participation vary with each Award Level (see above).  Participants choose their activity for each Section – an Activity Coach needs to verify that the participant has been making persistent and regular effort for the minimum time period required at each Award Level.

Activity Coach – an adult supervisor (not a parent) who has a workable knowledge of the chosen activity.  The Activity Coach must verify that the participant has fulfilled the requirements for that Section.  i.e. – soccer coach, piano instructor, service coordinator.

1. Community Service – participants engage with their community and discover the impact they can have through service.
2. Special Skills – participants develop personal interests and learn practical skills.  There are almost limitless possibilities to choose from.  Participants set their own goals and measure their progress.
3. Physical Recreation – participants show perseverance and improve their fitness by undertaking some form of organized and regular physical activity.  Most sports team and individual sports satisfy this requirement.
4. Adventurous Journey – participants develop an understanding of the environment, and the importance of working together in a team with a common purpose.  It can be on foot, by bicycle, boat or on horseback by learning preparation, self-sufficiency and self-reliance.

•  Bronze – 2 days+1 night.  6 hours of purposeful activity each day.
• Silver – 3 days+2 nights.  7 hours of purposeful activity each day.
• Gold – 4 days+3 nights.  8 hours of purposeful activity each day

While this is an exciting opportunity for Miss Oklahoma and Miss America, it is not a requirement, but a challenge provided to each contestant if willing.

In the afternoon we had two fantastic speakers – Rick Brinkley, Miss America Judges Chair, and Lu Sienna, Elite Model. Both were inspiring, humorous, and honest about what  Miss America is looking for and how we can achieve our dreams of holding the Miss Oklahoma and Miss America titles.

I loved seeing many pageant friends who I rarely see now that I live in Tulsa, and meeting the new faces who I will become better acquainted with in June. Our next stop? Contestant’s Day on April 14th!

Goofing off at Winter Meeting – Kevin stunted me so I could be in the tall people club like them. Would have worn heels if my legs hadn’t been covered in bruises from a recent scrap with a four-year-old!