Recent Valparaiso High School graduate Hannah White, an Ambassador Girl Scout, was presented her Gold Award at a council-wide recognition ceremony on June 8, 2013 held at the Hilton Hotel, Rosemont, Illinois. A 10-year Girl Scout, White chose St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church as the focus of her Gold Award project. St. Teresa’s did not have a Vacation Bible School for a few years because no one volunteered to be in charge. Because she felt VBS was a great outlet for children to come together during the summer and celebrate Christ, White stepped up to the challenge and re-invented Vacation Bible School the week of July 9-13, 2012. There were 50 children in attendance with 20 adults helping. With a theme of “Great Bible Reef,” White started planning and devoting many hours to this large undertaking in September 2011 by recruiting staff, holding meetings, and organizing all the activities.
During the week of VBS, the girls and boys learned a lot about the importance of having God in their lives and of being a friend to everyone around them. Games, dances, bible verses, songs, and crafts all blended to teach these lessons. As a service project the children collected over 130 non-perishable food items and donated them to the Hilltop Food Pantry. The week ended with a family gathering to show parents what they learned.
“I think the most rewarding part of this experience was that people are still coming up to me and telling me that their children are singing the Great Bible Reef songs,” said White. Continuing White’s leadership, St. Teresa’s will continue hosting VBS again this summer under a new director.
Hannah White is a member of Ambassador Girl Scout Troop 50 in Valparaiso and is the daughter of Phil and Janet White,. She gives credit to her mom for her love of Girl Scouts and people. Mrs. White was a Co-Leader and the Cookie Mom for the first four years Hannah was in Girl Scouts.
Hannah will be attending Indiana State University in Terre Haute this fall and is interested in pursuing a degree in Business and Communication. Hannah was recently accepted into the Leadership Learning Community where she will continue her volunteering work with various organizations in the Terre Haute area. At Valpo High School Hannah was a 4-year member of the Vikettes taking the role of head captain this past year. With that experience behind her she has already been accepted onto the ISU Sycamore Guard. As she heads off to college White leaves behind many Girl Scout memories. “Girl Scouting has given me a chance to do many activities over the years. It has helped me learn how to be a leader within my peer group as well as to younger girls.”