Best Wishes To ‘My Girls’

To the Editor:

I have been very involved in Newtown Girl Scouts over the past 11 years. It really has been a very important and active part of my life. I took over as leader of my troop — Troop 890 — while they were in second grade. At one time I had up to 24 girls in my troop. This month, I had eight girls bridge from 12th Grade Ambassadors to Adults, four of whom started as kindergarten Daisies. “My girls” have been like daughters to me, and I will miss their fun and friendships, and also their commitment to the Girl Scout Law. They truly will make the world a better place and be a sister to every Girl Scout.

Troop 890 organized and ran several Newtown Service Unit Camporees, Thinking Day events, Brownie Bingo events, and stayed up to the wee hours of the morning keeping the Girl Scout Coffee Break running. We took many fun trips and did lots of camping.

In addition to being a Girl Scout leader, an orientation volunteer (which I will continue), and running the several service unit events listed above with my troop, I also was the service unit manager for the approximately 700 Girl Scouts, 145 leaders, and 70 troops in Newtown during the past couple of years.

We have so many wonderful Girl Scout volunteers in Newtown to whom I owe so many thanks, and there are too many to list but you know who you are. However, I cannot thank enough Denise Rodriguez and Karen Kaechele for being there to help me run the service unit, especially during some personal difficult times when I lost my mother and sister months apart. I could not have continued my involvement with Newtown Girl Scouts without their support. I extend my deepest gratitude to them.

To my co-leaders, Barbara French, Mary Ann Napier, Lynn-Mary Dillon; my girls’ parents; my husband, Bob, for being so supportive of all my volunteering time, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

To my eight Girl Scouts who graduated this week: “my girls” Judy Carnali, Olivia Dillon, Michelle DeBlasio, Alexandra Napier-Ruzek, Lauren Picerno, Krystal Perrotti, Jillian Spies, and Natalie Villa; and to the many of you who were once in Troop 890, I wish you success and happiness as you venture off to college, work and life, and hope that being a Girl Scout will always bring you pride. You have all given me such pride.

Audrey DeBlasio

Newtown Girl Scouts Service Unit Manager

Leader, Troop 890

8 Melody Lane, Newtown                                                 June 21, 2009