Villa Voice Summer 2019 VillaVoice Summer 2019 | Page 13

HIGHLIGHTS & HAPPENINGS
Community
Villa Scouting Legacy Continues
St. Ursula Villa boasts a long and proud history of Scouting. For more than 22 years, our
students’ experiences with Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America have closely aligned with the
Villa’s educational approach – nurturing character development and faith formation as well as
promoting creative problem solving, leadership, and group collaboration.
“I witness the
development of
our students’
leadership
and confidence
during their
Scout meetings
in the Multi-
Purpose Room and
throughout our
campus.”
During the 2018-19 school year, 65% of Villa Kindergarten through 5 th graders were involved
in the school’s six Daisy and Girl Scout Troops and one Cub Scout Pack. Villa parents serve
as Scout leaders, which for many of them continues their own childhood involvement with
scouting. Cub Scout Pack 80 Leader Tim Chlon recalls, "I was a Scout as a boy and earned
my Eagle Scout Award at age 15. The 48 K-5 th grade boys in my pack learn important life
PRINCIPAL POLLY DUPLACE
lessons and values as well as some outdoor and survival skills.” Lauren Kluska, Co-Leader of
Brownie Troop 5168, believes that scouting “is a great way for the girls to get to know one another better, especially at
the Kindergarten age. Scouting also helps build courage, confidence, and character – all skills that can benefit a girl and
help her in the future.”
Villa Scouts stayed overnight at the Cincinnati Zoo, hosted the Pinewood Derby, sold Girl Scout Cookies, camped out,
and planned the Villa Father Daughter Dance. Villa parent and Second Grade Teacher Niki Cutter co-leads Troop 44802
and is inspired by “these 5 th -grade girls that choose and plan their activities - sometimes things they have never tried.
This year they did rock climbing, glass blowing, tubing, horseback riding, and outdoor cooking.”
Forty Villa Girl Scouts earned the national “My Promise, My Faith” pin exploring the Girl Scout Law and teachings from
their faith. These scouts were honored at the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio Fanning Faith's Eternal Flame Prayer Service
and Award Ceremony in February.
Additionally, nine members of Troop 44802 earned their Bronze Award – the highest award a Girl Scout Junior can
achieve. Co-Leader Carla Dreyer explains, “The girls began by looking at the needs around our school community
and decided to enhance the school’s paper recycling program. After creating and implementing a plan to raise funds
to purchase recycling bins for the Villa classrooms, they held a February 2019 event that helped other Girl Scouts
earn their My Promise, My Faith award focusing on ‘using our resources wisely.’ In addition to educating other Girl
Scouts about the intersection of their faith and recycling, proceeds from the event as well as Girl Scout cookie sales
enabled them to purchase and distribute 52 recycling bins throughout the school.” The girls’ significant efforts and
accomplishments received special recognition at the final school Mass in May.
According to Principal Polly Duplace, “I witness the development of our students’ leadership and confidence during
their Scout meetings in the Multi-Purpose Room and throughout our campus. Participation in Scouts contributes to
our students’ successful outcomes and has been a wonderful extra-curricular program at the Villa for years.”
Cub Scouts collect sap to make maple syrup.
Daisy Scouts create musical instruments from recycled items.
Girl Scouts in Troop 44802 earned the Bronze
Award for their school recycling initiative.
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