Marian Award shapes special bond between Girl Scouts

Eighth-grade students who are members of Immaculate Heart of Mary Girl Scout Troop #1881 in Indianapolis recently received the Marian Award, one of the highest honors for Catholic Girl Scouts. (Photo by Breanna Holder)

By Breanna Holder

While cookies, camping trips and merit badges are traditional parts of the Girl Scouts of America, another special bond connected eighth graders who are part of Immaculate Heart of Mary Girl Scout Troop #1881 in Indianapolis.

The 18 girls were challenged this year by their troop leaders to earn the Marian Award, one of the highest honors for Catholic Girl Scouts. The award is given after an extensive study of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the completion of a self-organized community service project.

As the girls pursued the Marian Award, troop leader Sidney Eisgruber hoped that they would gain a new perspective of the Blessed Mother. She also wanted them to use their gifts to help others.

“The greatest eye opener was learning all the things Mary went through at such a young age,” said Katie Bowes, a member of the troop. “After studying her life, I learned God helps us when we need it.”

Katie helped to collect books and magazines for Operation Paper Back, a project that benefits American service men and women. She collected two large boxes of reading material, which were shipped overseas.

“It felt good to help people,” Katie said.

Another Girl Scout, Katherine Graham, added a personal touch to her community service project.

Since Katherine was a little girl, she has loved acting. So she decided to share her passion with others.

She selected 11 students from the first through fourth grades at Immaculate Heart of Mary School.

During the course of eight weeks, she taught the students how to act. Her project ended with a play that the students performed for their parents.

“The Marian Award taught me [that] if I really work at something, I can get it done,” Katherine said.

Katie and Katherine both noted how troop members worked together and motivated each other to earn the Marian Award. They thought the effort brought the girls closer together as a troop and as friends. So did their troop leaders.

“These are 18 special girls,” Eisgruber said. “I hope in the future other Girl Scouts can learn from them.”

The 18 girls who earned the Marian Award are Juliette Lowry, Meg Klein, Shelby Goble, Grace Dury, Lucy Eisgruber, Sophie Riegner, Katherine Graham, Maggie Dietrick, Hannah Guy, Katie Klein, Meg Turchi, Kathleen Caspersen, Molly Egan, Kathryn Johantges, Monica Caito, Susie Winternheimer, Katie Bowes and Eileen Murphy.

The troop leaders are Eisgruber and Karen Winternheimer. †

(Breanna Holder, an intern at The Criterion, is a junior at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.) †