p7 - 2025-2026 GSHS Gold Award Recipients and Take Action Project Descriptions
p12 – Girls Take Flight with FedEx Event
p14 – Community Troop Highlights
p15 - Upcoming Programs & Camp Registration
p16 - Council Program Highlights
p18 – Troop Tales …and MORE!
Cover Photo: Participants share a smile with FedEx Global Citizenship Manager, Rose Flenorl, at the Girls Take Flight with FedEx event on April 18. See page 12 for more information on this high-flying event!
Dessert First Delivers a Sweet Night to Remember!
This year’s Dessert First was truly one for the books! Held in our new location at Mt. Vernon Chapel in Tupelo, MS, the evening brought together an incredible mix of creativity, community, and, of course, delicious desserts—all in support of Girl Scouts.
Guests enjoyed a fantastic lineup of cookieinspired creations from talented local chefs, each competing for the coveted People’s Choice Award Congratulations to Forklift, this year’s winner, whose dessert was a standout favorite of the night! We’re also grateful to our other participating restaurants— Brick and Spoon, Mag’s Bakery & Sweets, and Pizza Doctor—for sharing their creativity and making the evening so memorable.
The fun didn’t stop at dessert! Guests enjoyed savory hors d’oeuvres generously provided by Taylor Grocery, browsed an exciting silent auction, sampled Girl Scout Cookie inspired signature cocktails created by Brick
and Spoon, and relaxed to live music by Michael Niblett—all adding to the lively, fun atmosphere.
Events like Dessert First are only possible because of the generous support of our sponsors. A heartfelt thank you to CREATE Foundation, Rotary Club of Tupelo, TRI Realtors, 425 Magazine Collective Workspace, B&B Concrete, Cadence Bank, CB&S Bank, Jesco Construction, Stafford Development, and Watkins Uiberall for helping make this event such a success.
And to our guests—thank you for showing up, tasting, bidding, and celebrating with us. Your support helps ensure Girl Scouts continue to build confidence, leadership, and life skills that last a lifetime.
We’re already looking forward to next year’s Dessert First, returning to Mt. Vernon Chapel on Thursday, February 11. We hope to see you there for another sweet celebration!
On Saturday, April 18, 2026, GSHS members from across our council region gathered at Collierville United Methodist Church to celebrate the council's accomplishments of the past year, conduct necessary council business, meet and install the members of our Girl Scouts Heart of the South 2026-2027 Board of Directors, and to honor our 2025-2026 Girl Scout Higher Awards and scholarship recipients and Product Sales winners.
After many years of faithful service, Lori Patton was on hand to preside over her final Annual Meeting as GSHS Board Chair. She welcomed the eager crowd of almost 200 attendees and members of Midtown SU Troop 10608 then presented the colors. Afterwards, the business portion of the meeting began. Dr. Debra West shared the council's current audited financial information (which can be found on the Governance Page on our website), then Lori returned to the podium to recognize and thank several outgoing Board members, Neki Catron, Desi Franklin and Dr. Michelle Taylor.
Sharon Younger, 2025-2026 GSHS Board First Vice Chair, then took the podium to preside over the election of our new 2026-2027 Board of Directors, 2026-2027 Board Development Committee member (Sidney Diavua, Chair; Sharon Younger, Dr. Michalyn Easter-Thomas), and the new chair of the West Tennessee Endowment Advisory Committee (Lana Suite).
GSHS is incredibly grateful to the 15 volunteers who have agreed to serve our organization as members of our 2026-2027 Board of Directors, and we are proud
to introduce our new Board Chair, Reagan TaylorFondren. We invite you to learn more about these outstanding volunteers on page 6.
After the newly installed Board members took their Oath of Office, Sharon then took a few moments to recognize two other very special outgoing GSHS Board Members, Lori Patton, and Nancy Cochran. Both of these inspiring women served Girl Scouts Heart of the South in numerous capacities, most recently as Board Chair and Board Treasurer, respectively. In recognition of their genuine passion for Girl Scouts and their wealth of council knowledge, Lori was named Board Chair, Emeritus, and Nancy, Board Treasurer, Emeritus. We are truly grateful for their service and dedication to Girl Scouts.
After this emotion-filled presentation, GSHS CEO Venus Chaney took the podium to present the annual State of our Council address. She began by thanking and recognizing our newly installed Board Members and our 2026 National Council Delegates who will be representing GSHS at the 58th National Council Session in Washington, D.C. this July. She then proceeded to highlight several of this year's council accomplishments beginning with the fact that despite membership being on the decline nationally, GSHS has experienced membership increases resulting in 5% growth in girl members and 4% in total membership! We have also surpassed national retention goals by 4%!
She also highlighted the success of our Community Troop Outreach Program which surpassed their stated GSUSA goal of 1,450 girls, ending the year with 1,500 (continued on page 5)
2025-2026 Girl Scout Gold Award Recipients
2025-2026 Girl Scout Silver Award Recipients
2025-2026 Girl Scout Bronze Award Recipients
2025-2026 GSHS Super Sellers
2025-2026 Scholarship Recipients
GSHS CEO Venus Chaney and 2025 Fall Product Sales 3rd Place Winner Tulip Wallace of Troop 40353
GSHS CEO Venus Chaney and 2026 Cookie Sales 3rd Place Winner Makayla Tolbert of Troop
(continued from page 3)
girls enrolled! We invite you to learn more about the success of this program on page 14. She shared news of the success of our inaugural Trefoils & Trailblazers luncheon which grossed over $70,000 and also noted that the quality and impact of our programs is being recognized with a 31% increase in annual funding from foundations and United Ways. This year we raised more than $78,000 in corporate partnerships directly resulting in programs for girls that expose them to careers, mentors, hands-on learning, and new experiences.
She shared news from our Program Team announcing the launch of their new "Program Vision 360" approach which aims to bring programming directly to the communities in which the girls live. Our Program Team has served over 2,300 girls since August 2025 through Pop-Up Programs, Community Partner events, signature council-wide events and Possibility Place programs, and they are excited to add the new G.E.A.R. Girls mobile outdoor skills trailer to their lineup of mobile program offerings this year!
In closing, she shared that through the efforts of our amazing, entrepreneurial girls and our dedicated volunteers - our council had a great 2025 Fall Product Program with 216 troops participating. 982 girls sold over $334,600 in nuts, candy, magazines and other products. Together, the top 5 Fall Product sellersnamed on page 11 - had $17,400 in combined sales!
During the 2026 Girl Scout Cookie Program, we had 371 troops participate with 2,802 girls selling a total of 882,240 boxes of cookies! Together, our top 5 2026 Cookie Sellers – also named on page 11 – sold 28,735 boxes of cookies! Way to go, girls – and volunteers!
Venus then invited our 2026 National Council Delegates Donnika Hunter, Ella Joyner, Jasmine Tolbert, Alexis Waldon and Reagan Taylor-Fondren to the podium to give an overview of the discussion topics and proposals that will be addressed during this year's National Council Session and explained to the membership how they could offer feedback for the delegates prior to the event.
Immediately following their presentation, GSHS Director of Product Program Brittan Davis took the podium to begin the presentation honoring our 2025-2026 Top Product Sellers. Their names and individual accomplishments can be found on page 11. She also introduced 2026 Class of GSHS Super Sellers which honors all girls who succeed in selling 20,000+ boxes of cookies during their career as Girl Scouts. The names of these girls and their outstanding achievements can be found on page 11 as well.
GSHS Director of Public Relations and Higher Awards Jenny Jones then took the podium to recognize our 2025-2026 Girl Scout Higher Awards recipients. She began by introducing those girls receiving their
10-Year Pins in 2026. She then introduced each of our 2026-2026 GSHS Scholarship Recipients. Each of these girls' names and their awards can also be found on page 9.
After the GSHS Scholarships presentation, Jenny then introduced our 2025-2026 Girl Scout Bronze and Silver Award recipients. Those present were invited to come forward as a group and were presented with a small token of appreciation and recognition from the council. Each of these deserving girls' names and the titles of their inspiring Take Action Projects can be found on page 10.
The 2025-2026 GSHS Higher Awards presentation concluded with the introduction and honoring of our 2025-2026 GSHS Girl Scout Gold Award recipients. The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest achievement in Girl Scouts and is historically only achieved by 5% of Girl Scouts. Since 1916, Girl Scouts have been making meaningful, sustainable change in their communities and around the world. While earning the Girl Scout Gold Award, girls create their own personalized leadership journey through goal-setting, community engagement, leadership development and service through a sustainable Take Action project. Earning the Girl Scout Gold Award is a major accomplishment in a girl’s life and is a culmination of all that a girl has learned in Girl Scouts.
Before the individual recognitions, Jenny invited 20252026 Girl Scout Gold Award recipient Kelsi Carrothers to the podium to share about her experience in working toward her Gold Award and her Take Action Project entitled "Love Shouldn't Hurt." Following Kelsi's presentation, Jenny read the names of the 2025-2026 GSHS Girl Scout Gold Award girls in attendance as Venus Chaney and Sharon Younger presented them with their awards. We invite you to learn more about all of our 2025-2026 GSHS Gold Award recipients and their Take Action Projects on pages 7-9.
After the Higher Awards presentation, Lisa Marcom, GSHS Director of Membership Engagement took to the podium to draw names for the fun and exciting 2026 Annual Meeting attendee drawing. Service Unit Teams and Troops sending at least two representatives to the Annual Meeting were entered into a drawing to win their choice of one of four exciting prizes from the council. Congratulations to SU 170 Tipton/Millington, SU 245 Noxubee/Lowndes, Troop 40189, and Troop 20030.
After the formal conclusion of the meeting, attendees were treated to lunch and fellowship with their Girl Scout sisters. It was an amazing day, and we are already preparing for an even more exciting event next year! Make plans to join us next year for the 2027 Annual Meeting on Saturday, April 24, 2027! Save the date!
Girl Scouts Heart of the South is proud to announce our 2026-2027 Board of Directors.
Thank you all for agreeing to serve and for supporting our council in bringing the Girl Scout program to more girls across our 59-county region.
Allie Bullock Food for Thought
Troop 23117 Union SU 246 New Albany, MS
Allie learned that Mississippi faces high poverty and obesity rates, leading many residents to depend on processed and fast food despite abundant, fertile land suitable for growing food. Allie concluded that limited childhood education in gardening has reduced adult confidence in growing food, while busy work schedules also discourage people from maintaining gardens. She addressed these issues by creating a community garden of native, edible plants in partnership with the Union County Heritage Museum to combat food insecurity. The project introduced permaculture concepts, provided educational pamphlets, and helped visitors learn about sustainable, low-maintenance gardening and local food sources. The garden is sustained by the museum and the Northside District Garden Club.
Morgaan Butler Fabric Fusion
Troop 13366 Midtown SU 177 Memphis, TN
With a lifelong love of sewing, Morgaan Butler researched the negative impact that mass clothing production like fast fashion has on the quality of clothing and the decline in the number of tailors and seamstresses around the world. With this in mind, Morgaan made it her goal to revive the art and skill of sewing by creating and managing a sewing club at East High School. She worked with a network of sewing experts to teach the students – both boys and girls, and came up with creative projects for the students to complete in order to practice important techniques. In addition to fun sewing projects, Morgaan invited guest speakers to visit with club members and talk about the importance of sewing in their lives. East High School will continue to offer the sewing club in the future so that the project will continue to encourage interest and skill development in sewing for future students.
Kelsi Carrothers Love Shouldn’t Hurt
Troop 10217 Stateline SU 181 Walls, MS
Kelsi focused on raising awareness about domestic violence among teenagers, emphasizing that unhealthy relationships should never be normalized. Through research and collaboration with the Taffi T. Crawford Domestic Violence Foundation (TTCDVF), Kelsi introduced an educational initiative at Lewisburg High School, including an informational table, handouts, and open discussions. The effort created a safe space for students to ask questions, learn to recognize warning signs, and seek guidance. By fostering honest conversations, Kelsi’s project empowered students with knowledge and resources to navigate difficult situations. The project’s impact will be sustained through ongoing annual visits and educational programming provided by TTCDVF at the school.
Ella Christopher F.A.N. (Female Athlete Nutrition)
Troop 13368 Germantown SU 174 Germantown, TN
Ella chose to address the lack of accessible, practical nutrition information for teenage female athletes. Through research, expert consultation, and surveys, Ella identified knowledge gaps and created engaging informational displays and easy-to-use zines with daily nutrition tips and quick snack ideas. The presentations and materials significantly improved understanding, increasing those who felt knowledgeable about nutrition from 11.8% to 56.3%. By simplifying complex information, Ella empowered athletes to make healthier choices that support performance and well-being. The project will be sustained through school athletic trainers who will continue to share the printable zines, and QR-linked resources to ensure continued access for future athletes.
McKinsey Coleman Diaper Closet
Troop 23804 Alcorn SU 236 Biggersville, MS
McKinsey addressed a critical gap in community resources by creating a Diaper Closet to support mothers and families unable to afford basic baby necessities. Recognizing that no local services provided diapers, McKinsey tackled stress caused by poverty, teen pregnancy, and inflation. Through organizing donation drives, building storage, and partnering with her church and Oasis medical center, McKinsey served nearly 100 families with diapers, clothing, and support resources. She also connected families to parenting education and a supportive community network. The project will be sustained through ongoing church leadership, future donation drives, and expanded services like a clothing closet.
The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest achievement in Girl Scouts.
1916,
Chloe Lane Meals Made Kind
Troop 10568 Cordova SU 173 Cordova, TN
Chloe tackled barriers such as poverty, limited transportation, and lack of dignified access to meals to address food insecurity. Chloe created “Meals Made Kind,” a pay it forward card system in partnership with local restaurants and Bartlett’s Closet to provide free, restaurantquality meals to individuals and families in need. The project successfully partnered with four restaurants, increasing awareness and community involvement while ensuring respectful access to food. Participants gained confidence and knowledge about available resources, and community partners deepened their understanding of food insecurity. The program will be sustained through ongoing restaurant donations and continued coordination by Bartlett’s Closet.
Padaris Lawrence Giving Children a New Light
Troop 20320 MS Southeast SU 243 Starkville, MS
Padaris set a goal of improving children’s safety and well-being at the Boys & Girls Club by transforming an overgrown, unusable outdoor space into a clean, welcoming environment. By leading her team in clearing debris, removing weeds, building two sturdy picnic tables, and creating an uplifting “Dream Big” mural, the space now supports outdoor play, learning, and social interaction. Children benefit from a safer, more inclusive area that promotes health, creativity, and happiness. The project will be sustained through ongoing maintenance, staff involvement, volunteer support, and continued integration into daily activities.
McCarty Overby Fun with Fiber Arts
Troop 23228 MS Southeast SU 243 Starkville, MS
McCarty addressed the need for a sustainable and inclusive curriculum at the J.L. King Center by developing Fun with Fiber Arts, a creative and engaging fiber arts program curriculum for children of all ages and genders. Fiber arts activities build fine motor skills, encourage patience and spatial reasoning, and provide a therapeutic, stress-relieving outlet. To ensure sustainability, McCarty produced both print and electronic versions of the curriculum, allowing the program to be easily accessed and replicated. She also established ongoing partnerships with individuals and the Golden Triangle Fiber Arts Guild to secure future donations of materials and support.
Carissa Palmer Seeds of Growth: Small Seeds, Big Truth
Troop 20320 MS Southeast SU 243 Starkville, MS
Carissa saw the need for a structured, engaging childcare program during Sunday morning worship at Starkville Church of Christ for children ages 2–4. The previous nursery lacked consistency and volunteers, limiting its effectiveness for families. Carissa created “Seeds of Truth,” a developmentally appropriate Bible-based program that allows children to learn, grow, and engage in faith-based activities while parents participate in worship without distraction. Through surveys, attendance tracking, and memory verse progress, Carissa was able to confirm that both children and parents benefited significantly from the program. The project will be sustained by church leadership and committed volunteers who will continue running the program in the future.
Genevieve Remsen Caring Cards Club
Troop 13368 Germantown SU 174 Germantown, TN
Genevieve fought the issue of loneliness and isolation among elderly residents in retirement communities by fostering meaningful intergenerational connections with students. She created a program where students from Briarcrest Christian School wrote hand-decorated cards and celebrated holidays and birthdays with residents at Lutheran Village and Hearthside Senior Living, helping bring joy to special moments that can often feel overlooked. Genevieve measured success through interviews and surveys, which showed increased happiness among residents and a strong sense of impact among students. The project built communication and relationship-building skills across generations and will be sustained through the continued operation of the Caring Cards Club with future leadership ensured through underclassman succession planning.
Alexandra Ritchie Garden Terrace Park Pollinator Garden Troop 13213 MS Central SU 184 Oxford, MS
After conducting research, Alexandra recognized the decline of pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, which threatens ecosystems and food systems. She targeted the root cause of habitat and food loss by planting native Mississippi species that provide resources for pollinators in a local park. She also educated Daisy Girl Scouts and community members about pollinators through hands-on planting and garden education activities. The garden is growing and increasing awareness among park visitors and young participants about environmental stewardship. Alexandra’s work will be sustained as the City of Oxford waters the garden during park maintenance and native perennial plants return each year.
Caroline Sanders CES Good Health and Hygeine Habits: Tips and Resource Project
Troop 23117 Union SU 246 New Albany, MS
Caroline addressed the lack of access to basic healthcare supplies by creating and distributing first aid kits and health education materials to self-contained classrooms in the New Albany School District. Caroline researched and worked with educators to better serve special education students who needed both supplies and instruction on how to use the kits. She provided simplified brochures on healthy habits and first aid use, and the kits were used in classrooms as well as Special Olympics events to promote safety. The kits and information will be sustained through the local SMILE initiative, Crown Club, and Anchor Club continuing training and education.
Renee Wang Kids Run 365 - East Memphis
Troop 13367 Germantown SU 174 Germantown, TN
With a love for running, Renee established a free children’s running program in East Memphis promoting youth health, accessibility, and community engagement by giving families a nearby wellness option with fun incentives, structured runs, and supportive volunteers. Renee addressed limited access to local running programs by removing transportation barriers and motivating consistent participation, leading to strong turnout, repeat involvement, improved fitness habits, and greater family engagement in outdoor activity across the community. The program will be sustained by younger group leaders, supportive volunteers, and returning participants to continue leading sessions in the future.
2026 Girl Scout Gold Award Scholarships
GSHS Gold Award Scholarship ~ $1,000 McCarty Overby
Dianne Belk Gold Award Scholarship ~ $1,000 Lilly Shannon
10-Year Pin Recipients
Lucy Burgess
Madison Ciaramitaro
LeAnne Denison
Emily Duncan
Olivia Hendricks
Mallory Hill
Lorelei Johnson
Chloe Lane
Padaris Lawrence Cameron Long-McMillen
McKenna McCauley
Carissa Palmer
Savannah Palmer
Athena Roskelley
Emery Szala
Debbie Moore Memorial Gold Award Scholarship $500 McKinsey Coleman
2026 West Tennessee Scholarships
E. Jane Hazlewood
Leadership Scholarship ~ $8,000
Vera Mosbey
Susan C. Anderson Leadership Scholarship ~ $8,000
Je'Delle Ross
Sharon Younger Leadership Scholarship ~ $8,000
Gabriella Pierce
2025-2026
Troop 10029
Collierville/South Fayette SU 175
Collierville, TN
Pollution Solutions Part 2:
The Mississippi River
Camille Ebbs
Ishika Sooraj
Cecelia Todd
Troop 10071
Germantown SU 174
Germantown, TN
The Healing Hands Silver Kit
Meghan Buisseret
Medha Gajula
Ellie Minton
Olivia Ware
2025-2026
Troop 10050
Troop 10258
Stateline SU 181
Southaven, MS
Save the Bees
Lety Ciaramitaro
Lilly Jones
Troop 10189
Germantown SU 174
Germantown, TN
Recipes and Meeting
Ideas for Daisy and Brownie Girl Scouts
Adele Dempsey
Anitza Ross Moxley
Hannah Underwood
Elizabeth Wilson
Troop 10214
Collierville/South
Fayette SU 175
Collierville, TN
Annual Fall Food Drive for Mid-South Food Bank
Abby Logan
Troop 10071
Germantown SU 174
Germantown, TN
Take One, Leave One: A Community Little Free Library
Lauren Sams
Troop 10606
Midtown SU 177
Memphis, TN
GROW Girls Restoring Our Woodland
Diana Arevalo
Emily Lawrence
Bryce Smith
Mara Stratton
Troop 10608
Midtown SU 177
Memphis, TN
Pollinator Gardens
Chloe Wright
Troop 10612
Stateline SU 181
Southaven, MS
Reducing Waste In America
Khloe Barnes
A’Lonna Neal
Troop 10854
Germantown SU 174
Germantown, TN
Moments That Matter: Games, Crafts and Companionship
Juliette Franchini
Maggie Johnston
Sachi Maole
Troop 10854
Germantown SU 174
Germantown, TN
Stories that Connect
Generations
Kiser Federico
Hannah Mitchell
Chloe Piper
Emelia Ryan
Troop 13008
Shelby South SU 180
Memphis, TN
Central Church VBS
Tyleigh Artz
Troop 20320
MS Southeast SU 243
Starkville, MS
Stuffed Animal Sleepover
Kinley Smith
Isabella Villarroel
Kennedi West
Elle Williams
Troop 30302
MS West Central SU 325
Clarksdale, MS
Anti-Bullying Campaign
Kimora Addison
Lorelei Johnson
GSHS GIRL SCOUT BRONZE AWARD RECIPIENTS
Troop 10380
Cordova SU 173
Cordova, TN
Fleece Blankets for Agape
Makenzie Coffey
Katelyn Mayall
Troop 10613
TN North Suburban SU 171
Arlington, TN
Serving with Love
Lillian Kennemore
Troop 10801
Collierville/South
Fayette SU 175
Collierville, TN
Flutter & Flourish:
The Pollination Project
Ainsley Carpenter
Ava Hopper
Emma Matthews
Abigail McCarthy
Sara Kathryn Netherton
Troop 13222
Stateline SU 181
Southaven, MS
Helping Hands for Seniors
Reagan Davis
Troop 13654
Collierville/South
Fayette SU 175
Collierville, TN
Happy Tails
Lilly Akil
Emma Araya
Ada Baumgardner
Madeleine Chicoskie
Charlotte Chiu
Emma Fleming
Hannah Hand
Eleanor Hora
Liddon Hora
Elizabeth McDonald
Elliette Mooshegian
Tayler Simmons
Mary Topp
Troop 20146
Alcorn SU 236
Corinth, MS
Girl Scouts Support
House of El Roi
Ma’Ziah Agnew
Lizzie Cavanaugh
Reese Collums
Ava Garner
Cora Haywood
Jordan Patterson
Aubrey Ward
Roxanne Ward
Troop 20320
MS Southwest SU 243
Starkville, MS
Girl Scouts Supporting
Starkville Strong
Maryjo Doughty
Anna Lakin Guerry
Addison Moser
Millie Nagel
Maddie Pratte
Serenity Smiley
Troop 21385
Union SU 246
New Albany, MS
Blooming for Bronze
Olivia Cagle
Allie Coombs
MaryMartin Crotts
Charlee Glasson
Amelia Patton
AveryGrey Robbins
Eady Claire Tucker
Troop 30302
MS West Central SU 325
Clarksdale, MS
Anti-Bullying
Campaign Video
Kerrington Hoskins
Ava Jae Johnson
Troop 40037
TN West Central SU 423
Alamo, TN
Do Not Worry About the “If’s,” and Worry About the “Are’s”
Ellie Gilliland
Brianna Pruitt
Troop 40106
Madison/South Gibson SU 424
Medina, TN
Save the Squirrels
Hadley Alexander
Rosalie Blankenship
Emalee Coleman
Racheal Coleman
Hannah Higgins
Girl Scouts Heart of the South is proud to introduce the 2026 inductees to the
Leanna Wyatt Troop 43077C
21,714 BOXES SOLD!
Riley Harrell Troop 40087
20,641 BOXES SOLD!
Taniyah Willingham Troop 13017
20,085 BOXES SOLD!
To achieve Super Seller status, a girl must sell at least
20,000 boxes of cookies throughout her years as an active Girl Scout. This is quite an accomplishment!
Girls Take Flight with FedEx FedEx Experience Center Memphis, TN
Saturday, April 18, 2026
On Saturday, April 18th, more than 60 Girl Scouts from all across our council area enjoyed a day of interactive learning with FedEx professionals representing an array of careers at the FedEx Experience Center!
Girls began the day with a welcome from Rose Flenorl, FedEx Global Citizenship Manager, who told the girls, “You are here because your curiosity, your courage, and your willingness to explore brought you here. Girl Scouts taught me early how to set goals, speak with confidence, and believe in myself. I didn’t realize it then, but those lessons were shaping my future.” After the warm welcome, event emcee, Nicole Thomas, FedEx Global Opportunities Lead, introduced Captain Albert Glenn who has been with FedEx for 59 years. Captain Glenn, along with his son Anthony Glenn, also a pilot with FedEx, led the girls in an overview of the history of aviation safety features and checklists for flying.
Girl Scouts were inspired to think about where in the world they would like to travel, garnering responses of “Paris to see the Eiffel Tower and Africa to see elephants.” One Girl Scout posed the question to the pilots, “What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever flown on a plane?” The answer: “Panda Bears for the zoo and a whale.”
The girls enjoyed time in a cockpit simulator with guidance from FedEx Flight Crew and Instructor Paul Gibson. Cadette Girl Scout Emmie Reese Bigham from Tupelo, MS said, “Oh that was my favorite part. It was really fun and we learned a lot. My group crashed.”
Girl Scouts Heart of the South CEO Venus Chaney said, “So often, girls and young women are not presented with or don’t have access to opportunities that expose them to non-traditional careers. Collaborating with FedEx to craft this unique experience for Girl Scouts to explore aviation and its many facets is the type of immersive programming girls need to discover who they want to be and what they want to do in life. ‘If she can see it, she can be it,’ is not just a snappy slogan, it is a truth and a reality.”
Other sessions throughout the day included meteorology led by Senior Meteorologist David Goldbaum. Bigham said, “The meteorology session was really fun. It was just a great opportunity to learn about how the weather works and when they can and when they cannot go flying.”
A panel of women from FedEx offered insight into various careers. Girls enjoyed hearing from Sarah Subick, Managing Director of Aircraft Base Maintenance, Powerplant and Avionics; Megan Ferris, Manager of Development and Operations Engineering; Kathrine Bonanno, Manager of Crew Compensation Analytics and Governance; and Marchel Ebron, Manager of MX Reliability Analyst. The panelists shared messages of encouragement with the girls about taking advantage of opportunities, not being afraid to pivot in their career, investing in yourself and being confident.
Clarissa Joi Miller, Managing Director of Information Technology ended the day for the Girl Scouts with an inspiring talk on “What is your WHY?” encouraging girls to know their worth, be a hard worker and be willing to say “yes.” Girl Scout Emmie Reese said, “It was a very fun day and I'm looking forward to doing it next year and I hope that other girls get to experience it.”
Girl Scout Troop Leader Julia Underwood of Germantown, TN summed up the day for her Girl Scouts, “My girls loved the three pilots that spoke and gave the girls time to ask questions. Their favorite rotations were the flight simulator and safety rotations. The FedEx staff were exceptional! They helped everything run smoothly and were very gracious.”
GSHS CEO Venus Chaney enjoys spending time with several of the 60+ Girl Scout attendees!
Captain Albert Glenn talks to Girl Scouts about the history of aviation.
Scouts study world maps to discover where they would like to travel
Girl
Event Emcee Nicole Thomas fields questions from the girls during a Q&A session
Girl Scout Emmie Reese Bigham asks a question about aviation.
FedEx Meteorologist David Goldbaum talks to girls about the importance of the weather and flight plans.
FedEx Flight Instructor Paul Gibson guides girls in the flight simulator.
Female FedEx panelists Sarah Subick, Megan Ferris, and Katherine Bonanno discuss various careers in maintenance, engineering and finance.
Clarissa Joi Miller speaks to girls and asks, “What is your WHY?”
oftheSouth COMMUNITY TROOPS
This spring, our Community Troop members got the chance not only to participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program but also got to dive into handson learning with our Mobile STEAM Lab, build confidence through teamwork, and explore new ideas to help them better understand themselves and the world around them!
In February, girls celebrated World Thinking Day and learned about kindness, friendship, and thinking beyond themselves. Girls explored creativity & innovation by working on their Craft and Tinker Badges and learned that creativity and problemsolving go hand-in-hand in both art and science! They also completed the "It’s OK" GSHS Council-Own patch program. This program helps girls understand emotions, build resilience, and develop tools to overcome isolation and uncertainty. By guiding them on their wellness journey, Girl Scout programming helps empower girls to rise, lead, and lift others along the way.
In March, our K-5 girls learned to appreciate their bodies for what they can do — not just how they look. Through age-appropriate activities, girls built confidence, practiced self-care, and celebrated the unique qualities that make each of them special. The experience also helped them build empathy and understanding. They also got to learn some basic
sewing skills by making adorable plushies - an activity they all dearly loved!
Middle School girls learned to define kindness in different contexts (friends, family, school), explored how kindness feels and how to show it in meaningful ways, and built self-awareness of the impact of their actions.
In April, younger girls got to learn about the basics of manufacturing and the concept of an assembly line. Through hands-on, team-based bracelet production, girls got to experience how products are made efficiently in factories by using teamwork, clear roles, and quality control—just like real manufacturers!
Middle schoolers explored the science behind mental health by engaging in hands-on, age-appropriate activities that uncovered what’s happening inside the brain when they experience strong emotions like anxiety, sadness, and feeling overwhelmed.
Our 1,530 Community Troop members are currently finishing out their school years with end-of-year celebrations where they will receive the Badges they have earned throughout the year and special certificates recognizing their participation in the Community Troop program. We are so proud of each of these girls and can’t wait to continue sharing this unique Girl Scout experience with them – and even more girls! - in the fall!
At Girl Scout Summer Camp, girls get to grow, explore, make new friends, and - most importantly - just BE THEMSELVES AND HAVE FUN!
Outdoor experiences give girls the opportunity to unplug, learn new skills, discover their sense of self, and test new-found independence in a safe, girl-led environment.
Click HERE or the image above to browse our amazing array of 2026 Camp Session offerings to find the best fit for you, and start planning your summer camp adventure today!
Click the image at left to view the most recent issue of "Program Possibilities" - our monthly Programs & Events newsletter. For the most up-to-date information on our Programs & Events offerings, visit our Activities Calendar.
COUNCIL PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
She & Me - Hosted by Midtown Service Unit 177 May 2-3, 2026 Camp Fisherville
Girl Scout Day on the Hill Tuesday, March 11, 2026
▼ On Tuesday, March 11, GSHS Girl Scouts joined Girl Scouts from all across Tennessee at the capitol building in Nashville, TN to make their voices heard! The day included touring the state capitol building, meeting with local legislators, sitting in on a committee meeting, learning how girls can engage with government, and getting a preview of the new custom "TN 250" patch at the State Museum. Girls also checked off steps for the Democracy badges.
◀ On May 2-3, Girl Scouts had the choice to spend the day or stay overnight with their favorite female mentor at the annual She & Me event at Camp Fisherville.
Hosted by Midtown SU 177, girls got to enjoy various outdoor activities including canoeing, crafts, archery, fishing and other outdoor activities. This year, council Program Team staff were on hand to help girls enjoy the Mobile STEAM Lab!
Teen Camporee - Hosted by East Memphis SU 178 April 10-12, 2026 Camp Fisherville
◀ Hosted by East Memphis Service Unit 178, this unique, annual event is geared toward our older girls and really caters to their needs. This year, they had a blast making new friends, camping, doing archery, boating, sewing, painting, and even learning about law enforcement! One Girl Scout even got "arrested" pretending to be a hardened criminal! They had a great time and can't wait to come back again next year!
Dance it Out with Kappa Delta Union University Saturday, April 18, 2026
▲ Girls built confidence, made new friends, and got moving while learning a fun line dance together! They came up with their own dance moves and worked with others to put together a routine. The event ended with a lively dance party where everyone got to show off their moves and cheer each other on!
▲ above: Troop 40212 participated in the Jackson "Superhero Christmas"-themed Christmas Parade. The superhero Girl Scouts saved Christmas by locking up Cookie Monster as he was stealing all the Cookies! The Troop won first place in the Scouts division!
▲ above: On December 6th, Troop 13904 participated in the Southaven Parade. The girls rode on their float, showing their community support and how awesome being a Girl Scout can really be.
▲ above: On December 6th, Troop 10634 walked in the Walls Parade. They handed out candy and smiles to their community. This is their second year walking, and they really enjoy doing this!
Troop Tales
filled it to overflowing with non-persishable food items and took them to Memphis Fire Station No. 51 to be passed on to those in need.
▼ below: On December 6, Troop 10050 visited Diversicare with arms of goodies for all the residents and then some! They enjoyed visiting with the residents and helping out their community.
▼ below: On January 23, Cadette Kala S. of Troop 40082 and leader Misti Midkiff volunteered their day at the Lauderdale hub and handed out food to the community.
▲ above: On Saturday, March 28, troops from SU 184 in Oxford held a Pet Supply Drive benefiting the newly open Lafayette County Animal Shelter. The Girl Scouts thank Oxford Tractor Supply for hosting the drive.
▼ below: Girl Scout Troop 20166 made signs to thank our veterans and attended the local Veterans Day parade to show their appreciation for their sacrifice! They even talked with some of the vets and took some photos!
▼ below: Troop 20381 from Tupelo, MS spent 5 days and 4 nights in The Big Apple!! These girls conquered navigating the subway, walking over 9 miles a day, The Slime Museum, 9/11 Memorial, Bryant Park Ice Skating, Girl Scout Central on 5th Avenue, Liberty Bagel’s famous rainbow bagel, Ellen’s Stardust Diner, navigating Times Square, riding a ferry to The Statue of Liberty, learning about Ellis Island, learning how to crochet a swap for Girl Scout Central Swap Wall, and seeing The Rockettes in the 100th Christmas Spectacular!!
Troop Tales
▲ above: Scarlett’s Donuts of Tupelo hosted the girls of Troop 23110 for a small business program. The owners, Will and Alisha, talked to the girls about managing their business and how they give back to the community - like donating products to first responders and the homeless - and they leaned that the process of making the donuts begins at 2am!
◀ left: On November 8, Girl Scouts from SU 181 (far left) and Troop 10293 (right) joined others in support of veterans by placing flags at each of the headstones at the West TN State Veterans Cemetery.
▼ below: Sister troops #10290/13660 and #13263/13266 teamed up and donated 54 boxes to linemen and power company employees at Northeast Power in Oxford, MS. They wanted to send cookies to show their appreciation for all their hard work during Winter Storm Fern.
▶ all 6 right: For over 8 years, Girl Scouts with the Germantown Service Unit have been volunteering with Room In The Inn (RITI) to serve people experiencing homelessness. Troops partner with local faith congregations to provide a night of hospitality and shelter to children, men and women without a safe place to stay. Troop members learn about dignity and empathy by learning about the RITI mission of providing “a safe environment of hospitality” to those we are serving as guests. Young troops participate by making beds and preparing take-away bags with food and drinks. Older troops prepare and serve dinner and dine with guests. Troops of all ages have organized supply drives and donated items for guests such as backpacks, toiletries, clothing, and snacks. Girls volunteering with RITI have the unique opportunity to fellowship with both the children and adults staying with RITI. The girls play board games and color with the youngest guests. Older guests enjoy sharing stories with troop members during dinner. Two older girls even completed their Silver Award by building a playhouse for the playground at the Family Inn (top left). Through the partnership with RITI, troops fulfill the Girl Scout Promise of “making the world a better place.”
Girl Scouts Heart of the South is deeply saddned by the loss of longtime volunteer, Board member, and friend, Nancy Cochran.
Nancy has LOVED this organization since third grade. From a girl, to a volunteer troop leader, to council trainer, to Board Treasurer and President, she has served our council on many levels and with her whole heart.
For more than three decades, Nancy ensured girls had access to travel, outdoor adventures, and meaningful experiences that would have positive impacts on their lives.
Nancy was an incredible person, an inspiration to us all, and a Lifetime Girl Scout who will forever be loved and remembered. Her legacy will live on in the many lives she touched through her leadership, mentorship, and kindness.
We love you, and thank you, Nancy. You will be sorely missed. ☙
SAVE THE DATES ☙
Join us as we celebrate inspiring female leaders who are making amazing things happen in the Lafayette-Oxford-University area!
Tuesday, September 15, 2026 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Oxford, MS (exact location TBD)
CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE A WOMAN OF DISTINCTION!
Nominations close Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
Join us in celebrating trailblazing leaders—past, present, and future—who are making a difference and inspiring the next generation of changemakers. Tuesday, October 6, 2026 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Memphis Botanic Garden Tickets & Sponsorship Information Coming Soon!
Nancy Elizabeth Cantrell Cochran October 28, 1944 - May 2, 2026
Girl Scout leaders have a special way of changing lives—often in ways that last long after meetings end.
Maybe you remember the leader who shaped your own Girl Scout experience and the woman you became. Or maybe your daughter has a leader who is making an impact in her life today. For generations, Girl Scout leaders have created opportunities for girls to grow and learn, cheered girls on when they tried something new, and helped girls discover they were stronger and braver than they imagined.
We invite you to celebrate a special troop leader – past or present – by making a tribute gift to our Daisy Garden, named after our Founder, Juliette "Daisy" Low.
Make Your Tribute Gift to the Daisy Garden
With a gift to the Daisy Garden, you can:
• Honor a troop leader who made a difference in your life.
• Celebrate a leader who is showing up for girls today.
• Acknowledge a beloved mentor whose impact lives on.
When you make your gift, you’ll have the opportunity to share information about the person you are honoring, and we will send them a special, personalized card. Your tribute helps ensure that today’s girls continue to experience the same encouragement, adventure, and leadership opportunities that Girl Scouts have provided for generations.
Together, we can help the next generation of girls grow strong.
Thank you for celebrating the leaders who make Girl Scouting possible.
Thank you to the following individuals and organizations who donated to Girl Scouts Heart of the South for the very first time during this period (Nov. 1, 2025 - April 30, 2026):
Theresa Brady
Jessica Burkeen
Brittany Carlisle
Emily Coursey
Destiny & Denise Dickerson
Darlen Dickson
Braelyn Ellis
Amanda Johnson
Angie Owen
Jennifer Stringer
Elizabeth Teubert
Lauren Ward
Bell Building Supply
Midsouth Grain Inspection Service
Simply Sweet by Margarete
Bakery/Chocolates
TN Delta Alliance
United Country / Heartland Realty and Auction, LLC
Your generosity is helping to provide life-changing experiences for girls all across our council. Thank you.
Girl Scouts Heart of the South
OUR IMPACT
Courage. Confidence. Character.
Girl Scouts have the courage to take risks, the confidence to be themselves, and the character to lead authentically.
Strong sense of self.
79% of our Girl Scouts say they are happy with who they are and feel they can achieve their goals.
Display positive values.
70% of girls say they commit to ethical decision making, social justice, and helping others.
Seek challenges.
54% of girls in our region say they try new things even if they might fail and they learn from those experiences.
Making the world a better place.
101 girls earned Girl Scouts’ highest Leadership Awards while contributing 3,670 hours of community service by creating sustainable solutions to identified needs in their communities.
Altogether, Girl Scouts contributed over 13,000 hours of community service during the 2025-2026 year.
Community Outreach.
1,530 girls participated through Community Outreach initiatives because every girl deserves the opportunity to benefit from the invaluable experiences Girl Scouts provides.
4,705 Girls Served 2,092 Adult Volunteers
Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. As they discover their strengths and rise to new challenges, Girl Scouts develop the confidence to consistently step forward, defy norms, and turn ideas into action. Backed by dedicated volunteers, mentors, and the community, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them.
Girl
Scouts’ four
Program Pillars
form the foundation of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
Through hands-on, girl-led activities like earning badges, going on trips, trying new things, exploring the outdoors, and participating in special events, girls gain skills to navigate life with purpose and joy.
Life
Skills 2,719 Girls learned practical skills and gained tools and resources that help them be life ready.
Outdoor 1,585 Girls participated in unique outdoor adventures to build confidence, explore nature, and try new things.
STEM 1,051 Girls engaged in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) activities that boost problemsolving and critical thinking skills.
Entrepreneurship 2,881 Girls participated in Girl Scout entrepreneurship programs, building skills in budgeting, planning, and business ethics.
C r i t t e n d e n C o u n t y , A R W e s t T e n n e s s e e N o r t h M i s s i s s i p p i
G S H S P r o g r a m s & I n i t i a t i v e s
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
• Outdoor Adventure
• Healthy Living & Life Skills
• Entrepreneurship & Career Exploration
• Invent It, Build It
• She Leads!
• GSHS Community Troops
• Annual Volunteer Leadership Summit
• Girl Scout Higher Awards (Bronze, Silver, Gold)
• Totally Trefoil
• HERo Day
• Toyota Mobile STEAM Lab
r l S c o u t L a w I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.
G i r l S c o u t P r o m i s e
On my honor, I will try:
To serve God and my country,
To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law
