Girl Scouts recognize Gold Awards, volunteers

LIMA - Twenty Girl Scouts from throughout the area recently received Gold Awards during the annual recognition dinner at the Apollo Career Center.
The Gold Awards are the highest honor offered in Girl Scouts, comparable to the Eagle Scout in Boy Scouts. They're earned through 40 hours of job shadowing and career exploration, as well as 85 hours in developing and leading the Gold Award project, according to Cynthia A. Wood, regional director for Girl Scouts of Western Ohio.
The winners, with their hometowns and projects, included:
• Abby Marie Anderson, New Bremen, "Back to School"
• Bethany Bertke, New Bremen, "Building a Grotto for the Surrounding Communities"
• Brittany Borges, Minster, "Blooming for Education"
• Alyssa Brown, Minster, "Angel Garden"
• Karri Clementz, Kalida, "Celebrate Reading at Kalida Library"
• Sarah Dryden, Findlay, "Birchaven Therapy Garden Boxes"
• Sagan King, Convoy, "Girl Scout Gallop for Gifts"
• Katie Marie Kremer, Maria Stein, "Memory Books for Children in Foster Care"
• Lianna Lhamon, St. Marys, "Miami Erie Canal Beaches"
• Michelle Lochtefeld, Maria Stein, "Pawprints for Hope"
• Tiffany Olberding, Minster, "Backyard Summer Camp"
• Katie Ohl, Lima, "Monarch Butterfly Waystation"
• Jackie Richard, Minster, "Plentiful Perennials of the Tidy Treatment"
• Sara J. Rutschilling, New Bremen, "The Fundamentals of Fastpitch"
• Mary Schroeder, Ottawa, "Mystery Mountain Vacation Bible School"
• Gretchen Sherman, Minster, "MR/DD Christmas Dance"
• Kathryn Sobczyk, Findlay, "Birchaven Therapy Garden Oasis"
• Jessica Sommer, Minster, "Cozy Lap Quilts and Twin Comforter"
• Lori Timmerman, New Bremen, "History of the Spiritual Center"
• Cassandra Verhoff, Ottawa, "Dance Camp"
The Girl Scouts also recognized their adult volunteers during the ceremony.
Andrea Karhoff, of Ottawa, posthumously received the PLUS Award. The Honor Pin went to Elaine Trentman, of Pandora, while the Thanks Pin went to Cindy Hugh, of Lima, and Ellen Townley, of Paulding.
Administrative Volunteer awards went to Jessica Carrillo, of Pandora; Becky Lucke, of Pandoral; Anna Mitchell, of Findlay; Julie Pitts, of Pandora; Amy Stover, of Ada; and LeAnn Zimmerly, of Ada.
Appreciation Pin awards went to Laura Anderson, of Minster; Chris Bowers, of Minster; Paula Bruns, of Celina; LaDonna Compton, of Ada; Christine Jones, of Findlay; Michelle Rosengarten, of Pandora; Kris Sherer, of Pandora; Sue Straley, of Pandora; and Joan Wilson, of Continental.
Outstanding Leader awards went to Marlaina Anderson, of New Knoxville; Sue Clementz, of Columbus Grove; Cathy Delamotte, of Lima; Julie Eisele, of Lima; Barb Fetzer, of Convoy; Shirley Green, of Ada; Tammy Ludwig, of Ada; Sarah Rish, of Ada; Mary Sreenan, of Lima; and Keri Thomas, of West Liberty.
Outstanding Volunteers awards went to Diana Dyrness, of New Knoxville; Leanna Earlywine, of Dunkirk; Kelly Huber, of St. Marys; Heather Jackson, of Lima; Karen Kier, of Dunkirk; Tona King, of Convoy; Valerie McCollister, of St. Marys; Vonna Miller, of Dunkirk; Melissa Moore, of Ada; Amy Morgan, of Ada; Everett Pitts, of Pandora; Christa Quail, of Ada; Christine Rasmussen, of Lima; Niki Sidle, of Forest; Kim Smittle, of Dunkirk; Amy Stover, of Dunkirk; and LeAnn Zimmerly, of Ada.