2025 Annual Report
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois
A Letter From Our Leadership
In today’s world, Girl Scouting is needed now more than ever. We must do all we can to be there for girls – to be a support system, to present endless opportunities, and, most importantly, to provide a space for them to be genuinely happy. At Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois, we will continue being that outlet for girls – all girls –to learn and grow while being authentically themselves.
Our steadfast commitment to the 40 counties we serve can be seen through a variety of lenses. Our vast program experiences continue to grow and reach girls across our council. Our summer camps continue to expand and offer outdoor adventure for all age levels and interests. Our engagement with our adult volunteers - to educate, support, and celebrate them – remains strong.
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois strives to be a benchmark amongst the Girl Scout Movement. Of the 110 councils in our Movement, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois ranks #15 in market share. The work we are doing is making a difference in our communities, and it shows; our market share ranking has risen even higher during this current membership year. Girls and families are noticing the work we do, and they want to be part of it.
Camp Torqua remains a shining gem for us. The addition of The Pines has expanded our capacity. Continued ADA enhancements ensure Camp Torqua can be enjoyed by all. New shelters and a shower house not only provide comfort and convenience, but they also reinforce our commitment to keeping the safety of our members our top priority.
As we look back on our past year, we are proud of the work we have done and are thankful you are with us on this journey. Our excitement to continue with this forward momentum couldn’t be stronger. The girls in Southern Illinois deserve our very best, and with your support, we will continue to deliver.
Loretta Graham | CEO Linda Manley | Board Chair
Girl Scout Mission
Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
Girl Scout Law
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.
Girl Scout Promise
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.
6,336
Girl Members
3,559
Adult Members
Girl Scout Leadership Experience
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSofSI) engages girls and volunteers from 40 counties to deliver a wide range of programs grounded in the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. During our 2025 membership year, programming included STEM, entrepreneurship, outdoors, community service, leadership development, and preparation for Girl Scouts’ Highest Awards. GSofSI ensured that girls of every age could explore interests, build confidence, and make a lasting impact on their communities.
Older girls strengthened communication, public speaking, and advocacy skills through Highest Award training, overnights, and college readiness opportunities. Expanded platforms for girl voice, such as Visionary Voices, ensured programs remained relevant and girl-led.
• Amplified outdoor access through summer camp offerings – such as overnight camps and volunteer-ran day camps.
• Increased subject matter confidence among girls through direct learning opportunities in STEM, community service, healthy living, and outdoor focused programs.
Key Facts
Five seasonal patch programs enabled over 1,800 girls to have a unified experience, no matter their location.
2,063 girls participated in a STEM focused program.
Over 1,000 girls took part in a program centered on healthy living.
1,822 girls experienced an outdoor focused program.
Over 600 girls took part in a council sponsored community service program.
Impact in Action
The Gold Award – the highest award in Girl Scouting – challenges girls to develop and carry out lasting solutions to issues in their neighborhoods and beyond. Gold Award Girl Scouts truly are the world changers, rock stars, role models, and real-life heroes we all look up to. Here are just a few examples of recent Gold Award Girl Scouts making a difference.
Project: The Orange Book: East St. Louis Resource Guide and Fair
Aria worked with the community to create a resource guide and designed a website so that people in the East St. Louis area could find help in any way needed. She also collaborated with her high school counselor, Dr. Mateen, to secure funding to print and bind copies of the resource guide to ute. The project culminated with Aria organizing resource fairs that were open to the public at East St. Louis Sr. High School and Mason-Clark Middle School. She also set up a plan to share resource guides throughout
“Through this project, I’ve learned just how many people there are out there that just want to help others. The more you look for the good, the more it will be found,” said Aria.
Hannah Huckleberry Project: Restoring the Respect for Those Now Gone
Hannah has been interested in honoring veterans for a long time – her troop had even considered this theme while planning a Girl Scout Silver Award project. Hannah was still motivated to make a difference. So, when the time came to plan for her Gold Award, she knew exactly what she wanted to do. Hannah mobilized the community to help clean and restore veterans’ headstones. She organized a workday at her local cemetery where she gave a demonstration on how to properly clean headstones. She also designed an informational brochure on this restoration method and delivered printed copies
“Throughout my time in Girl Scouts, I have learned a lot about leadership and the importance of volunteering. This project put those skills to the test,” said Hannah. “Before taking on this challenge, I never thought that I could make an impact on my community. Now, I can say that I made a difference through my own research, hard work, and dedication.”
Lillian Seresbeno
Project: Jefferson Sensory Wall and Mural
Lillian took action by creating an interactive mural at Jefferson Elementary School in Marion. She decided to do an aquatic themed mural wall with interactive sensory activities for children. She painted wooden boards with the theme, then facilitated installing them on a wall at the school. Next, she added fun interactive toys to the mural that were designed to stimulate students’ sensory skills. She was careful to use long-lasting and sustainable materials, so that generations of children can engage their fine motor skills, social skills, and sensory expression. She created an informational video that she posted online to help educate area teachers about the new resource, as well as to help inspire others to start similar projects.
“When I was first going about this project, I was very intimidated. I didn’t really know where to start with it, but with the support of others and my troop leader, I found I could accomplish a lot more than I thought I could,” said Lillian.
Camp Torqua
Camp Torqua – our diamond in the woods – is nestled on 72 acres of meadows, rolling hills, and woods. Whether it be for a troop campout or a week of adventure at summer overnight camp, Girl Scouts continue to enjoy hiking trails, a fitness course, tether ball, gaga pit, volleyball, and pond exploration when visiting the camp.
Upgrades and enhancements are always happening at Camp Torqua to provide an unforgettable outdoor experience.
Girl Scouts and outside groups alike can benefit from the past year’s significant updates:
A new campsite, The Pines, opened. This section of camp features 4 new cabins, a covered pavilion, a campfire area, and ADA access.
• A new storm shelter/shower house was constructed at the camp. Located on the opposite end of camp as the existing shower house, this new addition not only provides convenience but also adds an enhanced safety feature to the property.
• Everyone deserves to enjoy the beauty of Camp Torqua! ADA enhancements continue at the property. This year, GSofSI completed phase 2 of installing ADA compliant walking trails.
• A covered shelter was constructed at the archery range, making this beloved camp activity even more enjoyable during the heat of the summer.
• Gold Award Girl Scout Abby Siegel constructed a Happy Hammock Hangout at camp for her Gold Award project.
Entrepreneurship
Girls gain five valuable skills when participating in entrepreneurship programs such as the Girl Scout Cookie Program. Behind every box of cookies and every package of trail mix lies a set of skills girls will take with them throughout their lives - goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics. As girls build these skills, they’ll be ready to bring an entrepreneurial mindset to whatever path they choose in life.
The 2024 Fall Product Program resulted in
During the 2025 Girl Scout Cookie Program, nearly 3,600 girls participated, selling 574,983 packages.
Thank You, Volunteers!
Because of the dedication of volunteers, Girl Scouts are shown what it means to be resilient and lead on their own terms. From everyone at Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois, we thank you. The following extraordinary volunteers were recognized at the 2025 Recognition of Excellence ceremony for their commitment to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
Heart of Gold
Mary Anne Hopper | Waterloo
Governor’s Volunteer Service Award*
Sheila Jolly Scrivner | Bluford
President’s Volunteer Service Award*
Mary Anne Hopper | Waterloo
Sustained Service
Gretel Pierpoint | Woodlawn
Living Her Legacy
Sarah Smith | Ruma
Angelina Zabala | Shiloh
Thanks Badge
Mary Armes | West Frankfort
Jodie Herbstritt | Belleville
Debbie Parker | Robinson
Honor Pin
Amy Huller | Belleville
Appreciation Pin
Courtney Bilyeu | Hamel
William Cannon | DuQuoin
Ruby Floyd | Paris
Dawn Greenwood | Edwardsville
Jennifer Melton | Wood River
Stacy Sayuk | Edwardsville
Siera Stoffel | Centralia
Angela Werner | Chester
Angie Wilsing | Troy
Volunteer of Excellence
Alysha Black | Belleville
Amber Bowen | Aviston
Tamara Brewer | Swansea
Jessica Bush | Glen Carbon
Elizabeth Darden | East Alton
Jimmi Dixon | Harrisburg
Shannon Finley | Belleville
Tricia Freeman | Godfrey
Elizabeth Geisen | Troy
Jessica Gerth | Troy
Kaitlyn Gibson | Neoga
Lorna Karcher | Glen Carbon
Sydney McCormick | Charleston
KayLee Melton | Normal
Sherry Michl | Robinson
Kacey Patten | O’Fallon
Brittany Phebus | Charleston
Chelsea Wakefield | Effingham
Jessica Walker | Edwardsville
Stephanie Watkins | Fairview Heights
Emily Weber | O’Fallon
Annie Werner | Edwardsville
Tracey Wilcox | Collinsville
Lisa Woodside | Steeleville
*National or state awards recognizing one’s exemplary volunteer contributions
Thank You, Volunteers!
President’s Award
Service Unit 9 | Centralia
Service Unit 54 | Perry County
Service Unit 87 | West Frankfort
Service Unit 109 | Troy/St. Jacob
Service Unit 207 | Belleville/Swansea
Service Unit 211 | Waterloo
Service Unit 511 | Effingham County
Service Unit 521 | Western Coles/Cumberland County
Service Unit 522 | Eastern Coles County
Service Unit 531 | Edgar/Clark County
Service Unit 544 | Crawford/Jasper County
“The work of today is the history of tomorrow, and we are its makers.”
- Juliette Gordon Low, Founder of Girl Scouts
Board of Directors
Board Officers
Linda Manley | Highland | Board Chair
Marianne Doll | Edwardsville | First Vice Chair
Elizabeth Shore | Marion | Second Vice Chair
Gloria Sweida | St. Louis, MO | Treasurer
Norma Trimble | Robinson | Secretary
At-Large Members
Brooke Alf | O’Fallon
Julia Deien | Aviston
Kathryn Diak | Edwardsville
Kevin Doak | Edwardsville
Beth Flowers | Edwardsville
Paul Gansaur | Carlyle
Trish Manning | Waterloo
D-Lori Newsome-Pitts | Caseyville
Lesley Sanchez | St. Louis, MO
Michelle Yates | Edwardsville
Board Development Committee
Trish Manning | Waterloo
Melanie Mills | Charleston
Janice Monroe | Neoga
Michelle Yates | Edwardsville
Thank you for your commitment to Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois!
Girl Awards
16 Gold Award Girl Scouts
The Girl Scout Gold Award is the mark of the truly remarkable – proof that not only can she make a difference, but that she already has. Gold Award Seniors and Ambassadors tackle issues that are dear to them and drive lasting change in their communities and beyond.
2024/2025 Gold Award Girl Scouts
Elizabeth Back | Anna
Evie Ballard | Effingham
Callysta Borders | Anna
Aria Brown | Belleville
Mackenzie Davis | Highland
Isabelle Flores | O’Fallon
Hannah Huckleberry | Highland
Norah Kettler | Waterloo
Ava Scherle | Waterloo
Eleanor Schmitz | Belleville
Adelyn Schroeder | Bartelso
Lillian Seresbeno | Marion
Lynn Shirley | Summerfield
Abby Siegel | Belleville
Lexie Siegel | Belleville
Elysia Zabala | Shiloh
41 Silver Award Girl Scouts
101 Bronze Award Girl Scouts
16 Trifecta Award
Girl Scouts
When Cadettes focus on an issue they care about, learn the facts, and take action to make a difference, they gain the confidence and skills that will catapult them to lifelong success.
When Juniors team up to make a difference in their community, they learn important skills, discover new passions, and watch how seemingly small actions make a big difference.
The Trifecta Award recognizes girls who have earned all three of Girl Scouting’s highest awards –the Bronze Award, Silver Award, and Gold Award.
Pearl Society
With a recurring monthly gift of $50 or more, Pearl Society members commit to investing in girls for the long term.
To join our Pearl Society, visit gsofsi.org/pearl.
Pearl Members
Diane & Rick Siemer
Bronze Members
Barbara Adelman
Susan & Rob Bowman
Jeananne & Ron Buerges
Linda Byassee
Laurie & Warren Carter
Trisha Clevenger
Paul Gansauer
Toni Goodwin
Loretta Graham
Katie Grayling
Ashley Green-Bryant
Gold Members
Linda Manley
Candis & Fred Isberner
Deanna & Dean Litzenburg
Trish & Bob Manning
Susanna Mills
Janice Monroe
Larry Nelson
D-Lori Newsome-Pitts
Penny & Jon Pejka
Barbara Rieder
Lesley Sanchez
Elizabeth Shore
Thank You, Donors!
$10,000 +
• Agency for Community Transit
• Ameren Illinois
• American Water Charitable Foundation
• Charles & Mary Lukas Trust
• Diane & Rick Siemer
• Edwardsville Community Foundation
• Gordon Cohen Trust
• Leidos
• Linda Manley
• Lumpkin Family Foundation
• The Estate of Glenn Seeber
$5,000 - $9,999
• Anders Technology Advisors, LLC
• Anne Haltenhof
• Dawn Greenwood
• Deanna & Dean Litzenburg
• Donna & Ralph Korte
• Edward Jones
• Employees Community Fund of Boeing
• Faith in Place Foundation
• Free Being Me (WAGGGS)
• Gillihan Concrete
• Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery
• Siemer Milling Company
• The Korte Company
• Walmart
$1,000 - $4,999
• Allsup Charitable Services
• Anderson Hospital
• Angelia Gower
• Banterra Banks
• Bridewell-Henning Foundation
• Bryce Maples
• Busey Bank
• Carrie Winter Trust
• Catherine Seaman
• CEFCU
• Commerce Bancshares Foundation
• Deanne Stegeman
• Edna and Emma Sawyer Trust
• Ellen & James Bollmeier
• Girl Scouts of the USA
• Holland Construction Services
• Howard Schwartz
• Ivan Zwick
• Jeananne & Ron Buerges
• Julia Deien
• Julie Hanger
• Kathy & Chris Rodriguez
• Kay & David Werner
• Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois
• Legence Bank
• Leon & Helen Church Foundation
• Lesley Sanchez
• Loretta Graham
• Lynda & Steven Tallman
• Marathon Petroleum
• Marianne Doll
• Mary Ann Altergott
• Mathis, Marifian & Richter, Ltd.
• Melanie & Tim Mills
• Pam & Mark Waltermire
• Paul Gansauer
• Penny & Jon Pejka
• Prairie State Generating Company
• Renee Johnson
• Roger Landmann
• Roxanne Frey
• Schweinfurth Foundation
• Sentry Foundation
• Serra Honda O’Fallon
• Susan & Rob Bowman
• Theresa & Steve Bushong
• Theresa McFarland
Thank You, Donors!
Juliette Gordon Low Society
The Juliette Gordon Low Society is a special group who have made the commitment to share their legacy with the next generation. We’d like to recognize and thank them for the legacy they are leaving our council.
• Barbara Adelman
• Villie Appoo
• Mary & Terry Armes
• Melissa Barnett
• Mary Buchanan
• Laurie & Warren Carter
• Ellar Duff
• Bobbi Drotos
• Loretta Graham
• Cheryl & Chuck Heimerman
• Richard Huntington
• Rebecca Irvin
• Candis & Fred Isberner
• Emily & Jay Kimmey
• Tammy & Fred Klapetzky
• Christine Lay
• Deanna & Dean Litzenburg
• Linda Manley
• Sharon & Alan Mayo
• Stacey & John McCracken
• Melanie Mills
• Mary Mueller
• Elisabeth & Donald Murphy
• Carla & James Nilson
• Julie Reed
• Micah & Matt Salonis
• Glenn Seeber
• Diane & Rick Siemer
• Nancy & G. Scott Smallie
• Kay & David Werner
United Way
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois receives support from various United Ways throughout our jurisdiction. Thank you to United Way for their continued support of Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois.
• United Way of Greater St. Louis
• United Way of Effingham County
• United Way of Coles County
• United Way of Crawford County
