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Community Corner

Huntley Area Troop Celebrates 100th Birthday of Girl Scouting

Village Hall celebration marks milestone.

Hundreds of Girl Scouts — both current and former – gathered at the on Monday night to celebrate the 100th birthday of Girl Scouts.

Just after 7 p.m., they joined hands in a promise circle, sent around a friendship squeeze, and celebrated the founding of an organization that is near and dear to their hearts.

At the same time, other Girl Scouts throughout the country were doing the same as part of a nationwide celebration of the organization’s founding at 7:12 p.m. March 12, 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low in Savannah, Ga.

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In Huntley, Girl Scouts were decked out in their patch-covered vests and sashes as they gathered out front of the to trade stories, and SWAPS — handmade crafts celebrating the 100th anniversary.

They also traded their memories of Girl Scouting, and shared their love of an organization that helps empower girls, while reinforcing values such as honesty, courageousness and service to others.

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That love of the organization prompted leaders Carolyn Krich and Cassie Majer to plan the local celebration. The celebration included the longtime tradition of a friendship squeeze, which starts with one person, and then makes its way all the way around a circle back to the beginning again.

Mayor Chuck Sass started the squeeze Monday night that made its way around the circle of scouts at .

“This squeeze was done 100 years ago and I want this tradition to pass on for another 100 years,” Krich said.

“When these girls look back at their vests and photos and swaps some day, they now can have a great memory of this neat night and where they were for the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts, March 12, 2012, at 7:12 p.m.

“Any little step we can do to keep these girls in Girl Scouts, I will do,” Krich said.

Jennifer Troy, whose daughters Katrina, 11, and Elizabeth, 9, are fourth generation Girl Scouts, was proud to be a part of the circle, and celebrating the important milestone for Girl Scouts.

She said some of her best memories as a girl are of being in Girl Scouts, and especially at Girl Scout summer camp as both a camper and counselor.

Troy said she believes her girls will have lifelong memories of Girl Scouts as well.

“Girl Scouts teaches how to give to others and encourages girls to be proud of their accomplishments. The program helps build a positive self-esteem and strong characteristics in women that we all can be proud of, and hope that our girls will aspire to one day,” Troy said. “The leaders that my girls have had have helped to shape who they are and been incredible role models for them. I couldn’t be prouder to have my girls continue in this tradition.”

In addition to celebrating the anniversary, the Girl Scouts in attendance Monday continued their tradition of service, and brought along food for the pantry, hoping to give gifts to others on this birthday celebration.

“Why not add more giving back while we are there,” Krich said.

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