2023 Highest Years of Service Award Honorees

Each year, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas (GSNETX) recognizes volunteers for their tremendous work with the girls in our council. We are excited to honor these 13 individuals for their 20+ years of service to Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas. Through their dedication to the organization, more girls have been able to grow their confidence through Girl Scouts.

• LaDonna Jones, Rowlett – 20 YR
• Michelle Reddy , Plano – 20 YR
• Arthur Townsend, Denton – 20 YR
• Heather Quinn, Irving – 25 YR
• Margot Quinn, Irving – 25 YR
• Misty Gilmore, Garland – 25 YR
• Debbie DeBruin, Richardson – 25 YR
• Hilda Walthall, Rains County – 25 YR
• Meredith Rush, Plano – 30 YR
• Darla Benson, Wylie – 35 YR
• Eileen Cunningham, Plano – 40 YR
• Mary Doreen Parker, Frisco – 45 YR

About Mary Doreen Parker: For Parker, scouting is a family affair. Even before she was old enough to join Girl Scouts, she was an unofficial member of her older sister's troop. Her mother was a Troop Leader, and her father was involved in her brother's Boy Scout troops. Parker, known to her friends and fellow Girl Scouts as Miss Mary, cherishes her childhood memories of creaking, camping, and badgework.

Miss Mary’s commitment to the organization is unwavering; she has been a dedicated volunteer since 1978 with no plans to slow down anytime soon. She has volunteered on almost every level, from troop leader to SU manager and everything in between. She's helped at Girl Scout Day Camps, written training curricula for Council Trainers, and served on several committees.

Her service these days is split almost evenly with Tejas/GSNETX and the Wichita Kansas Council.?She has also received her Cross & Flame Award as an adult, presented it to other adults, including her own dad, and proudly presented over 50 Girl and Boy Scouts with their My Promise, My Faith Awards.

?"I have had high times and low times in every position, but I had so much fun with each group," she said. "I would have to call my experiences as a Daisy Leader my most rewarding, satisfying, and overall successful." That’s because when the Daisy program was first introduced in Parker's small hometown there were no Daisy badges, and many parents were unsure about it. Using only a scrapbook, she created her own Daisy programming, special events, and activities and helped several parents become Brownie leaders for the same group of girls the following year.

Miss Mary assisted troops that way for eight years before moving to Frisco, where she continues to be a highly active volunteer. She has always welcomed every girl in who wants to join her troop and maintained at least 12 girls at a time, usually more. She is also very proud of the special daddy-daughter meeting she started that has become a tradition her Girl Scouts now look forward to every year!

"I try to make my time with girls meaningful, to give them something that will be there when they need it," Miss Mary told us. "And if there is one thing, I want everyone to know about me, it is that I am and will always be a Girl Scout!"

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We hope our honorees this year will serve as role models to others in our community, inspiring others to get involved. If you know someone who deserves recognition during Volunteer Appreciation Month, please share their story with us too!

Media Contact:?Stephanie Hijazi?