Guiding Stars Who Lead the Way
On October 4, 2025, GSCCC celebrated some of our amazing role models during the ‘Guiding Stars Who Lead the Way’ Adult Awards Celebration. Together, we recognized more than 100 rockstar volunteers who make our mission possible through their commitment to service. Recognitions ncluded the Thanks Badges I and II, years of service awards, Girl Scout Honor pins, and Volunteer of Excellence pins.
Mei Stukes was recognized with the Thanks Badge II. This honor is reserved for former recipients of the Thanks Badge, and is proudly worn as a sign of many years served and lives touched in Girl Scouts. Mei has tirelessly offered her time and energy to Girl Scouts for nearly 20 years. Though her daughters have graduated and become Girl Scout alum, Mei continues her involvement in key leadership positions. One of Mei’s Girl Scout accomplishments includes being selected to serve on GSUSA’s national Volunteer Advisory Committee. She has been a member of GSCCC’s Board Development Committee for over three years. She is also an activity and outdoor facilitator, and helps encourage new members to get involved by participating in countless recruitment events.
Carolyn Pittman was honored with the Thanks Badge. She has been an active volunteer in the Girl Scout Movement for more than two decades. Her involvement began when her daughter, Gold Award Girl Scout Claire, now a senior in college, first became a Girl Scout Daisy. Carolyn started out as a troop volunteer and went on to be elected as GSCCC’s board chair. As a gift to her daughter and the Council, Carolyn donated funds for the fountain, Claire’s Dancing Waters, at Camp Skimino. Carolyn first became involved with GSCCC’s Board of Directors in 2015, the same year she became a lifetime member. She was appointed as a board member at large and served on several committees, including serving as the chair for five committees over the years — Property, Finance, Philanthropy, Investment and Audit. As a board officer, she has served as Treasurer, Vice Chair, and in September 2025, she completed a term as our Board Chair.
Karen and Donnie Harrington, husband-and-wife volunteer duo from Service Unite 330, were both recognized with the Girl Scout Honor Pin. The Honor Pin recognizes exemplary service that reaches a large number of Girl Scouts. Karen has served in many volunteer roles over the years including as a SU finance coordinator. She has used her talents to assist other service units with their finances. Donnie is an outdoor enthusiast and a certified archery and axe-throwing instructor. Karen is also a skilled outdoor facilitator who teaches archery and other activities along with Donnie. This dream team is an integral part of the GSCCC community.
We celebrated 15 volunteers from across our Council with the Volunteer of Excellence Pin and dozens more with 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 55 Years of Service recognitions.
A very special thank you to Troop 772 who presented the opening flag ceremony along with Girl Scout Cadette Addie who performed the national anthem.
Thank you to all of our guests who helped to make the day special. You can view the event program online and see more photos on our Facebook page.
