The Chief Girl Scout Medal Scheme: Learning by doing

THE Chief Girl Scout Medal, the Girl Scouts of the Philippines’ highest and most prestigious award, was recently bestowed to735 dynamic medalists from all over the country.

In a presentation ceremony held at the Plenary Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, the awardees were lauded for “their outstanding service, perseverance, dedication, and zeal in community development through the Chief Girl Scout Medal Scheme (CGSMS)”.

Among this year’s CGSMS medalists were ten (10) Senior and Cadet Girl Scouts from the Davao Girl Scout Council, namely: Jecel Ann Abraquez (Bernardo Carpio National High School); Kimberly Esquibel (Holy Cross College of Calinan); Shavana Aba-a (Holy Cross College of Calinan); Anne Gayle Binancilan (University of the Immaculate Conception); Trisha Kaye Bautista (University of the Immaculate Conception); Deanne Marie Pia (University of the Immaculate Conception); Katherine Lantajo (Holy Cross College of Calinan); Kris XelamarBataller (Ateneo de Davao University); Jan VievaMaristela (Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School); and Anicka Beatriz Teves (Davao Christian High School).

Nation building

Launched in 1976, the CGSMS “highlights the Girl Scout’s role in nation building as exemplified by the Chief Girl Scout and her distinguished leadership and vital contribution to nation building. It is a continuing incentive that Senior or Cadet Girl Scouts can aspire for as they become actively involved in the conduct of the community and national affairs.”

The scheme recognizes Senior and Cadet Girl Scouts who “meet the criteria for outstanding service to their community. It is built on the Girl Scout’s concept of developing the total Scout, making her well-rounded in all aspects – spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, and social.”

“While standards of achievement are necessary, there is no competition with others. Each Scout is judged according to her individual ability and leadership capabilities.”

“In the span of 41 years (1976-2017), 10,053 Senior and Cadet Girl Scouts have worked on the scheme and were awarded the CGSMS. Some of these medalists are now lawyers, doctors, teachers, business executives, nurses, outstanding community leaders, among others”.

This year, the CGSMS medalists worked on the following community development projects:

Ecology

“325 Senior and Cadet Girl Scouts worked on waste management; tree planting; mangrove and sea grass planting; seedling dispersal; reforestation; beautification projects on parks, centers, children’s playgrounds, highways; utilization of blighted areas; construction of waiting sheds and bridge; and clean-up of canals and streams. 9,750 families in 325 barangays were beneficiaries of these efforts.”

Livelihood

“34 Senior and Cadet Girl Scouts focused on skills training in cosmetology; reflexology; handicrafts; sewing; candle making; doormat and eco bag making; tray making; baking; food production; food preservation; putting up of vegetable gardens; mushroom production; and poultry and hog raising which benefited 1,020 families in 34 barangays.”

Health

“316 Senior and Cadet Girl Scouts helped 11,060 children and 9,480 families in 316 barangays through mass feeding and health care monitoring; medical and dental services; personal hygiene education; organizing mother’s classes for the promotion of proper nutrition; putting up of vegetable and herbal gardens; and construction of comfort rooms, water pumps, and rain water filtration system.”

Cultural heritage

“60 Senior and Cadet Girl Scouts highlighted the appreciation and promotion of Filipino culture and traditions through research and sharing of Philippine dances, songs, games, stories, and poems, cataloguing of collections in a local museum; preservation of historical markers; museum and park visits; renovation of chapels; and installation of mini public library which profited 1,800 families in 60 barangays.”

In total, 22,050 families and 11,060 children in 735 barangays/communities greatly benefited from the CGSMS projects this year.

“The Chief Girl Scout Medal represents what true Girl Scouting is all about. It is an action project of the Girl Scout Promise and Law which one lives by. It is learning to put others ahead of yourself”, stated Dr. Cristina Lim-Yuson, 1st National Vice President of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (National Headquarters), in her message.

“These are not easy to learn, but because Girl Scouting is all about “learning by doing”, these good works should come naturally with you as you get older and wiser”, Dr. Yuson enthused.

Kudos to this year’s spirited Chief Girl Scout medalists! May you continue to make a difference in other people’s lives, even beyond scouting.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com.