"Efforts" essays display true Girl Scout spirit Winners of "Her-ricane Effort" Contest are honored

     Release Date: 3/15/2006
     Press Contact: Lori Sullivan: 954-739-7660, ext. 219
     
     OAKLAND PARK, FL --- The aftermath of Hurricane Wilma left us all with questions. Girl Scouts of Broward County decided to ask two important questions of their girl members... What did you do to help your family, neighborhood or community to recover from Hurricane Wilma? And, what did you gain/learn from your experience? The answers became a cathartic and healing opportunity as well as a first-time essay-writing program entitled the "Her-ricane Efforts" essay contest.
     
     The essay contest came to life last November, when after hearing dozens of heart-warming stories of girls who were reaching out to neighbors, giving of themselves and basically living the Girl Scout mission, the staff thought it would be a great way for girls to channel their energy and hear that other girls were doing the same thing. Helping instead of complaining. Working instead of whining.
     
     "We think our Girl Scouts fared better after Wilma because of the lessons they have learned in Girl Scouting," said Leslie Roth, CEO for Girl Scouts of Broward County. "Our girls know how to cook outside, sanitize water, and make the most of any rustic atmosphere – but above all else these stories show that they know the most important lesson of all – in the face of struggle and disaster Girl Scouts give back."
     
     Four age levels were established for entries: Daisy age level (kindergarten); Brownie age level (1-3 grade)’ Junior age level (4-6 grade); and Older Girls (middle & high school). Spelling, punctuation and grammar were important in these original pieces. Only Daisies and first grade Brownies were allowed to dictate their story to an adult. Entries were judged on basis of originality, creativity and overall presentation.
     
     And the Girl Scouts "Her-ricane Efforts" contest winners are:
     **Daisy: Jasmine Williams, age 4 from Lauderdale Lakes – Short Story
     **Brownie & GRAND PRIZE: Samantha Forsberg, age 6 from Plantation – Essay
     **Junior: Hannah Hollinger, age 11 from Davie – Short Story
     **Older Girl: Alyssa Ostroff, age 13 from Sunrise – Poem
     
     In a special ceremony held on February 21 at the Girl Scouts headquarters in Oakland Park, prizes were awarded to the winners. The grand prize winner received a Walt Disney World Prize Package courtesy of Entertainment Benefits Group with four one-day park hopper passes, one night in a Walt Disney World hotel and four pairs of Mickey Mouse ears.
     
     Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, contact and character who make this world a better place. Girl Scouts of Broward County, Inc. serves more than 9,100 girls and 4,500 adult volunteers. For more information about the Girl Scout program including information about registering your girl, adult volunteering or public support opportunities, call 954-739-7660 or visit www.browardgirlscouts.org.
     
     Brownie age-level & Grand Prize Winning “Her-ricane Efforts” entry: by Samantha Forsberg of Troop #837
     
     When I went outside after Hurricane Wilma I felt so sad for everyone, including me. There was so much damage all over the place. There was no electricity so it was dark. My family and I helped the neighbors clean up. When Halloween came we did not have electricity. My sisters and I made paper pumpkins and colored them. Then we dress up in costumes. I was a forties dancer. My sister, Tayllor was a fortes dance as well. My youngest sister of all, Paige, was Cinderella.
     
     We delivered candy and pumpkins to all the neighbors instead of getting candy. The neighbors were so happy. It made me feel happy because I was making the neighbors feel better. I learned that giving stuff to neighbors was fun because it made them happy. Next year I might do it again even if I have electricity.
     
     Daisy age-level Winning “Her-ricane Efforts” entry: by Jasmine Williams of Troop #972
     
     Many people were sad after Hurricane Wilma. God says to help the needy. I helped my Mommy and Daddy cook food from our generator. I helped carry food to our neighbors.
     
     Junior age-level Winning “Her-ricane Efforts” entry: by Hannah Hollinger of Troop #1164
     
     I marched into my backyard after the recent depression, Hurricane Wilma. I shivered in the cool breeze as I felt shocking cold gusts go right down into my bones. I peered out into the supposed “forest,” and saw that it was now only a field of fallen bushes and trees. My eyes widened as I covered my face, now realizing how terrible the storm actually was.
     
     “I’ve got a lot of work to do,” I blurted, as I imagined my entire day ahead of me. I tightened my gardening gloves and got to work. I picked up rough branches that had fallen from the large oak tree from my neighbor’s yard and carried them out to the front where the garbage lay.
     
     Suddenly, I heard a twig snap and looked over, and saw my mother, father, and brother trampling over my heaps of branches. “We have come to help!” my brother cheered as he hoisted the rake from the floor. I heard my dad start the chainsaw, and observed my brother raking leaves into a pile. I continued helping by filling large garbage bags with moist leaves my mom had scooped out from the pool.
     
     Meanwhile, I realized that it was a good thing that my family and I didn’t have much damage to our house. By listening to the battery run radio, I knew that a lot of other people had it worse than we did.
     
     I was rewarded $10, which was donated to the 4Kids Center for Foster Children. I also helped organize donated items with my Girl Scout troop.
     This is how I helped my family, house, and community. It’s sad to see what happened to the community. I learned more about what a terrible hurricane can do to the land and its people.
     
     Older-girl age-level Winning “Her-ricane Efforts” entry: by Alyssa Ostroff of Troop #484
     
     The rain rain rain came down down down as we wore upon our faces, a frown. We saw Wilma take six feet off our evergreen tree as the birds flee. Suddenly, all was calm. We saw on the ground a palm frond. We ran inside as the storm resumed, while getting dressed in our rooms. It was a blustery day after the hurricane; I peered out the window pane. My parents were removing shutters; I offered to help without a stutter.I picked up pine needles on the ground, without making a sound. In front of my house, cables and trees weren’t where they were meant to be. As we observed what we saw, we were grateful to have all been as lucky as we were compared to some.
     
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