GIRL SCOUTS EARN GOLD AWARDS

Most people wouldn't see a connection between a community paper recycling program, a five-kilometer run and an overnight lock-in, but the nine Girl Scouts working on the projects did -- a Girl Scout Gold Award.

Girl Scout members from Perryville and Cape Girardeau received Gold Awards Sunday.

The award is the highest honor a Girl Scout can receive, said Laura Hinkebein, marketing director for the Otahki Girl Scout Council.

The nine Gold Award winners are Aimee Clements, Holly Lappe, Timna Lowes, Jolene Renner, all of Troop 8 in Perryville; Amber Keller and Carlen Keller of Troop 36 in Cape Girardeau; Ame Maevers and Nancy of Troop 83 in Cape Girardeau; and Deanna Anderson of Troop 136 in Perryville.

To earn the award, each Girl Scout must complete dozens of projects from career exploration to community service, and develop a Gold Award project as their final task. The project must benefit others and be an ongoing activity.

Clements, daughter of Dave and JoAnn Clements of Perryville, planned and implemented a paper recycling program in her community. She attends Perryville High School and is a member of the National Honor Society, Drama club, Future Teachers of America and SADD.

Lappe, daughter of Raymond Lappe of Perryville, attends St. Vincent High School. She organized a Girl Scout Sunday Mass and reception for award recipients. She is a member of the SADD, Sodality, the flag corps and the Spanish club at the high school.

Lowes organized a career day for junior-level Girl Scouts in the Perryville area as her Gold Award project. She invited speakers from the military, police department and medical field to discuss career choices with the girls. She is the daughter of Alan and Becky Lowes of Perryville.

Renner collected personal items for the Women's Safe House as her project. She is the daughter of Wilfred and Mary Renner of Perryville.

All four girls are members of Troop 8 in Perryville.

Deanna Anderson, also of Perryville Troop 136, arranged an overnight lock-in for third year Brownies and fourth and fifth grade junior Girl Scouts as her Gold Award project. She is the daughter of Tony and Renita Anderson.

Two sisters from Cape Girardeau also received the Gold Award recently. They are Amber and Carlen Keller, daughters of Ron and Vicky Keller of Cape Girardeau.

Amber and Carlen planned a five-kilometer and one-mile run as their project. They are both members of Troop 36, led by their mother. Amber is a member of the Cape Girardeu Central High School swim team, Cape Gators swim team, Future Business Leaders of America, National Honor Society and Red Dagger. Carlen is a member of the Latin club, Beta club, Letterman's Club, and swim team.

Two members of Troop 83 in Cape Girardeau received the award. They are Ame Maevers and Nancy Renfrow. Both girls coordinated "Brownie Frolics," an activity that let first through third grade girls experience the five worlds of Girl Scouting -- the world of well-being, the world of people, the world of today and tomorrow, the world of arts, and the world of the outdoors.

Maevers is the daughter of Frank and Paulette Maevers. Renfrow is the daughter of Kevin Renfrow of Cape Girardeau.

Nineteen Girl Scouts earned the Silver Award which is the second highest honor given by the organization. They include Lillian Dean of Troop 39; Stephanie Amos, Jyothi Dirnberger, Chara Friese, Raegan Scheper, Emilie Statler and Heather Turnbow of Troop 77; Sharla Gaddy of Troop 83; Jessica Braeuner, Ashley Clingingsmith and Macaela Morgan of Troop 99; Laura Canupp, Kelley Green, Katie McLain and Janet Smith of Troop 125; Charity Emmons, Laura Rickman, Sarah Riley and Julia Elizabeth Seyer of Troop 287.