What do you consider to be your most significant accomplishment? Why?

I feel my greatest contribution is through my life-long association with Launch Leaders. I have been shaped by the organization’s mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character and strive to endow girls with the same attributes. Having risen through the ranks of Launch Leaders to become a Star Award recipient, I continue serving as an adult scout, volunteering at events and helping to launch the Series program. What drew me to this program and to involving myself as a leader is its ability to supplement the troop oriented foundation of scouting with the call of celebrating women’s individuality. The program allows girls the opportunity to earn badges in focused interest areas with individualized paths to achievement. As a leader, I partner with the girls as they learn to take initiative and devise and follow through with their own plans. I endeavor to instill the girls with confidence and encourage them to see value in challenges. My goal is for the skills they learn in completing these series to translate into other personal, academic and professional aspects of their lives. I welcome the challenges and triumphs of the 300+ girls cycling through this inaugural program. In Real Girls, Real Pressure: A National Report on the State of Self-Esteem, 62% of girls, ages 8-17, feel insecure or not sure of themselves. It is crucial to provide them with positive reinforcement and acknowledgement for victories of all levels of significance. Effective leaders are bred in an environment of encouragement. Leading with these values I learned in scouting, I pass them on to these girls who I hope will do the same.