Scout troop hosts safety awareness event

Girl Scout Troop 73 members Breanna Hamlett, Stephanie Hamlett, Jordan Wagster, and Anna McMahan recently held a troop-sponsored Community Safety Awareness event at the Delta Fairgrounds in an attempt to serve the community and earn the prestigious Girl Scout Silver Award. [Click to enlarge]

Girl Scout Troop 73 of Kennett recently hosted a Community Safety Awareness event at the Kennett Delta Fairgrounds in an attempt to serve the community while raking in points toward earning the troop it's silver award.

The public event served as a great opportunity for families to participate in raising awareness of community safety through various presentations and simulations designed to make a big impact.

The Kennett Fire Department was present with its Fire Pup on hand to get kids excited about an obstacle course and smokehouse.

The Kennett Police Department was also there providing fingerprinting and drug fact info. The local Dunklin County Sheriff's Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol also made an appearance during the event, bringing along with them a unique. life-like roll-over simulator which was used in their informative presentation.

The Highway Patrol officers also presented an educational, yet entertaining lesson using a golf cart and "drunk goggles."

Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center was front and center, assisting guests with monitoring their blood pressure at its booth, and the Medic One Ambulance Service was also available to talk about what services they provide the community.

In addition, self-defense demonstrations were also provided by Jack "Skip" and Cheryl Johnson of Gatewood, Mo.

The occasion was free to everyone in the community, and concession stands were provided.

Girl Scout Troop 73, which includes Breanna Hamlett, Stephanie Hamlett, Jordan Wagster, and Anna McMahan, have been together for a long time, according to its sponsor Vickie Hamlett.

Over the years the girls have grown within their organization and received numerous awards through community-minded projects such as the one they most recently sponsored.

The newest title the girls have had their eye on included the Girl Scout Silver Award which requires much involvement and a lot of dedication.

There are six steps which must be taken to receive the silver award. These steps are titled:

* Organize

* Lead

* Network

* Create

* Act

* Reflect

Each step enriches the girl's scouting experience by challenging them to do things such as study a job they know nothing about, ask college students about their educational experiences and plans for the future, serve in a leadership role earning 15 hours toward leadership, set goals for self-improvement, identify issues in school and in the community that scouts feel strong about, make a difference in the community through a project scouts feel strongly about, and last but not least, reflect on all of the challenges posed and think about how earning the Girl Scout Silver award has changed each scout.

Once the Silver Award is received, Troop 73 will move on to an even bigger challenge which includes earning the coveted Girl Scout Gold award, an award for girls 14 and older.

For more information on Girl Scout Troop 73 contact members Breanna Hamlett, Stephanie Hamlett, Jordan Wagster, and Anna McMahan, or call their sponsor, Vickie Hamlett, at (573) 888-3806 for further details.