Girl Scouts come in all styles and sizes. Check out this video from the Outreach Program at the Phyllis Wheatley Center. At 2.5 minutes long, it is original work by two Knoxville Girl Scouts, Shermija and Desjhnae of troop 30024, who wrote the lyrics in just a few hours, inspired by the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
Girl Scouts of the Southern Appalachians launched the Outreach program in 2018 with the hopes of providing the Girl Scout experience to those who may not be able to join a traditional troop. Now with 21 sites and serving more than 300 girls, Outreach has done just that. The traditional troop model doesn’t always work due to transportation issues or lack of funds, so Outreach is offered in community centers and schools that are staff-led.
Troop 30024 meets at the YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Center in Knoxville. Shermija and Desjhnae produced “On My Honor (REMIX).” Thanks to GSCSA employee Melanie Winton and her brother D’Angelo, who together produced the video and music, these Girl Scouts had the time of their lives!
“Within the Outreach program, we truly embody keeping things girl led!” said Ashley Smallwood, Outreach programs manager. “The girls at the Phyllis Wheatley Center fully embraced the Girl Scout program and made it their own. By empowering these young ladies to follow their passions, we are building the future women leaders of tomorrow.”
“The Outreach Program is very dear to our hearts,” said Gretchen Crawley, vice president of communications for Girl Scouts of the Southern Appalachians. “It allows girls to experience the GS programming who may not have the means to do so. We desperately need corporate or individual donors to sponsor Outreach sites to keep this program going.”
Brooke Conner is social media and content coordinator for Girl Scouts of the Southern Appalachians.