Thousands of Girl Scouts descended upon Salt Lake City, Utah, recently for the 53rd national convention, which included the 2014 National Council Session and Girl Scout Leadership Institute. Among them were local Girl Scouts representing Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont.
“The most exciting highlight of the experience was listening to the amazing guest speakers, who taught us a lot, especially that if we put our mind to it and work hard, we can accomplish anything,” said Ashley Velazquez, daughter of Armand and Shari Velazquez of Hickory.
GSLI is a triennial conference that presents girls 14 and older with three days of leadership, skill-building activities tied to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. With feedback from girls, the GSLI focuses on big issues they are passionate about. Girls get the latest information on their chosen issues from experts in the field, and then they work together on solutions, learn techniques for innovation, advocacy and planning, and return home ready to make an impact in their community and council.
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Velazquez is a junior at St. Stephens High School. She has earned her Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. She is a competitive dancer at Krista Whitener Academy of Dance and actively involved in her youth group at Sandy Ridge Wesleyan Church. She also teaches 3- and 4-year-olds at Foothills Gymnastics and helps her mother with a Girl Scout Daisy troop. As a result of her Girl Scout leadership, Velazquez is a recipient of the National Society Daughters of American Revolution Good Citizenship Award through the local John Hoyle Chapter of the Daughters of American Revolution.
“One of the most important things that I learned was how to strengthen my teamwork skills, not just in Girl Scouting, but in everyday life situations,” said Summer Fulbright, daughter of Mike and Christy Fulbright of Hickory. “I feel that this experience will benefit me in becoming a better leader and team member in my community.”
Fulbright credits her leadership experiences in Girl Scouts to making a positive impact in her education and other extracurricular activities.
“Girl Scouts has helped me in many aspects of my life, but mostly in leadership. Whenever I was younger, I was always shy, and Girl Scouts has helped me to come out of my shell and live life to its fullest,” Fulbright said.
Fulbright is a freshman at East Burke High School, where she participates in band. She has earned her Girl Scout Bronze and Silver Awards, and is currently working on her Gold Award.
