Quoting a line from the message of Senator Mary Grace Sonora Poe Llamanzareslast November 18, 2014 during her speech in the Chief Girl Scout Medal Scheme Ceremony held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), “Once a Girl Scout always a Girl Scout”.
Reminiscing my elementary years, I joined the Girl Scout Movement as a Junior Scout. I could still recall how proud I was wearing that green uniform during our Investiture and how excited I was to join the backyard camping in our school… but when I reached High School, I stopped joining Girl Scouting… not because I didn’t want to but because the movement was not active in our school… So, I already forgot what it was like to be a girl scout until I became a teacher. A co-teacher and a friend of mine encouraged me to attend the “Basic Training” for troop leaders and later on partook in the Division Encampment. Those activities rekindled the delight and excitement I had experienced when I was a Junior Girl Scout and suddenly, I found myself functioning as a troop leader and encouraging my students to join the movement too.
My passion in Girl Scouting gave me the courage to inspire my students to work on Chief Girl Scout Medal Scheme. The Scheme is built on the concept of the total development of the girl: spiritual, mental, physical, social and emotional. It is a continuing motivation that Senior and Cadet Girl Scouts can aspire for as they become actively involved in community and nation building. The main emphasis is on the girl’s leadership, perseverance and her sense of responsibility towards herself and her community. The Girl Scout is free to choose the project she wishes to undertake in any of the following program areas: Ecology, Health, Livelihood, and Cultural Heritage. Evaluation is focused not only on the girl’s project, but also, more importantly, on her performance, and personal development. Fortunately, one of my student passed the evaluation done by the GSP Division, Regional, and National Council and was awarded the Chief Girl Scout Medal last year. Of course, it would not been possible without the help and support coming from the troop leader, family, classmates, patrol members, barangay officials and the whole community. Thus, I am really grateful that she had completed the scheme successfully. This was just the beginning of a worthy endeavor… I hope I would be able to continue these earnest effort because “Once a girl scout always a girl scout!”
By: Mrs. Cristina C. Samaniego | Teacher III | Limay National High School | Limay, Bataan
