A Girl Scout recognition ceremony for Girl Scouts of the Otahki Council was held at the Elks Lodge 639 recently. Gold and Silver Award pins and a dinner were sponsored by the Elks for the graduating senior Girl Scouts and their parents.

Seven girls received Scouting's highest honor, the Girl Scout Gold Award, which focuses on a Girl Scout's interests and personal journey through leadership skills, career explorations, self-improvement and service.

Girls completing requirements for the Gold Award were Melissa Manetz of Troop 38, Piedmont; Amanda Craven, Stacy Estes, Rebecca Koeller and Barbara Gillard of Troop 213, Jackson; RoxAnne Hudak of Troop 303, Cape Girardeau; Mary Smith of Troop 22, Chaffee.

Eleven Girl Scout Silver Award recipients were honored. They were Sarah DeWilde, Bayley Hotop, Janel Koenig, Lisa Lambert, Carissa Luttrell, Heidi Lappe, Chelsie Pingel, Kelly Steinbecker and Alicia Zarlingo of Troop 172, Perryville; Melissa Manetz of Troop 38, Piedmont; and Katherine Kasten of Troop 124, Perryville. The award symbolizes the accomplishments of Girl Scouts ages 11 to 14 in Girl Scouting and community activities as they mature and work to better their lives and the lives of others.

Graduating senior Girl Scouts were Lisa Abbott, Audrey Cope, Claire Davis, Alaina Ernst, Holly Essner, Lauren Francis, Elizabeth Gibbar, Dawn Gibbons, Chelci Gwinn, Michelle Herzog, RoxAnne Hudak, Lakeisha Johnson, Cierra Kennedy, Ashlyn Layton, Alexandra Lundy, Kara Mabry, Kelly Macke, Theresa Mattingly, Brittany Mezo, Nashira Nesby, Tiffany Noce, Danielle Pritchett, Kelly Prost, Emily Reisenbichler, Lauren Schumer, Tiffany Taylor, Brittany Warren, Ashleigh Wasson, Jaclyn Welker and Sasha Word.

Sen. Jason Crowell presented resolutions to the award recipients and certificates and letters were given by VFW Post 3838 Ladies Auxiliary, President Bush, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps, Military Order of the World Wars and Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.

The guest speaker was former Gold Award recipient and business owner Sarah George from Cobden, Ill.