Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council’s Asian Membership Initiative launched its first STUDIO 2B Career Exploration Group in the Southeast Asian and Indian community on Saturday, March 27 at the studio of Music Masala in Southwest Houston.

Membership Manager Purvi Zaver contacted Music Masala station owner Sunil Thakkar and shared the idea for a partnership with her colleagues Theresa Thomas and Parina Paripoonnanonda. Working with Zaver and her team, GSSJC’s Brand Management Department developed a promotional package with the studio tour.

Nearly 15 girls between the ages of 12 and 16 received a tour of the station, recorded their very own Girl Scout promotional spot, and talked with Sunil Thakkar about everything from promoting an event to the benefits of radio marketing.

While at the station, Thakkar let the girls speak live about their experiences in touring the studio and about Girl Scouting (for those who were Girl Scouts) and over 20 parents called in to ask how their daughters could get involved.

Each girl in attendance received a STUDIO 2B Career Exploration booklet and a complete goodie bag of other Girl Scout information and neat swaps and giveaways. Two mentors have agreed to a 4- to 5-month commitment as STUDIO 2B teen advisors, and the group is expected to evolve into a quarterly program of career exploration of media careers in Houston’s growing Southeast Asian enclaves.

India’s Restaurant provided snack platters that saved the day for the girls with munchies.

Anyone who knows of a girl who is interested in exploring careers with local Indian media outlets should contact Purvi Zaver at 713-292-0354 or ptrivedi@sjgs.org.

Troop #1236 travels to Low’s home in Savannah

by Carmen Dominguez, leader of Troop #1236

Troop #1236 traveled to Savannah, Georgia with one of GSSJC’s planned trips last June. The troop earned money through fall product and cookie sales, a car wash, concession stand, and making and selling candles. Every troop that believes in the Girl Scout movement should try to make this trip. It was the most wonderful Girl Scout experience any Girl Scout could have.

Girl Scouts Casianna, Elissa, and Almalinda accompanied by leaders and a mother, left on a Saturday morning on a chartered bus and spent the night in Florida where they went to a mall. When they arrived in Savannah on Sunday they walked along the River Street next to the Savannah River, sighted a ferry named after Juliette Low, and took a shuttle to check out the sights. The group went to the Tybee Island Museum and Light Station on Monday and climbed 178 steps to the top. They also visited Fort Screven and walked on the beach of the Atlantic Ocean. At Old Fort Jackson, the group was greeted by soldiers from the Civil War era. The girls went on a carriage tour of the historic district of Savannah that evening. On Tuesday the troop toured Juliette Low’s Birthplace and participated in a special interest session and pinning ceremony. A dolphin watching boat tour was planned for Wednesday. The group also visited the Girl Scout council in Savannah and The Andrew Low House. She converted the carriage house behind her house into the first Girl Scout headquarters. That evening the girls had a formal dinner on the Queen Savannah river boat where they saw the famous Waving Girl statue. On the return trip to Houston on Thursday, the troop stopped in Alabama to tour the U.S.S. Alabama Battleship Memorial Park. They also went through a flight museum where the girls rode on a flight simulator. The girls arrived home the next day with many pictures, souvenirs, memories, and tons of patches.

Troops can show support to Brownie Girl Scout’s family

Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council lost one of its Brownie Girl Scouts in a car accident in March. Adoncia N. was with her troop on her way to Camp Misty Meadows when the accident occurred at League Line Road and Highway 75 in Conroe.

“While words of encouragement are very hard when a life as short as Adoncia’s is taken, the minister offered beautiful words of comfort and support to her family at the memorial service,” said GSSJC CEO Mary Vitek. “The troop leader spoke about how Adoncia was the one girl in the troop who always noticed if another girl was sad or not feeling well. ”

Please continue to keep Troop #17023 and Adoncia’s family in your thoughts and prayers. Troops can offer love and support in two ways.

1. A fund has been set up for Adoncia’s family. Contributions can be made to this fund using the following information at any Bank of America location.

Adoncia N. Memorial Fund
Bank of America Account No. 5746450757

2. Individuals or troops may make “thinking of you cards” for Adoncia’s family or troop. Address them to the Girl Scout Center, as follows:

Adoncia’s Family, C/O DeeDee Johnson, 3110 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77098;

Adoncia’s Troop, C/O DeeDee Johnson, 3110 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77098.