by Jacalyn W.
I began Girl Scouts when I was a Daisy and enjoyed all the
fun activities we did, but I do not think that I really appreciated
everything that I learned until I was a Senior Girl Scout.
My troop did all the usual things like going camping, completing
service projects and earning badges. We attended different
events sponsored by Council and had many great times together.
There are many things that high school students think about,
including numerous homework assignments, tests, peer pressures,
and that always looming ‘what am I going to do after
high school.’ I always knew that I would go to college
and study to be successful, but it was never clear to me what
I would want to go into. It was not until the end of my sophomore
year that I finally found the career path that I wanted to
take.
My troop attended a Hospitality Day in March of 2003 at
the University of Houston’s Conrad N. Hilton College
of Hotel and Restaurant Management. We learned about the hospitality
industry and the many career paths and opportunities in the
industry. I was very excited about what we learned that day
and found it fun and thrilling. I knew almost instantly after
we left that day that I wanted to pursue a career in the hospitality
industry for my future. Because of this Girl Scout experience
that happened over two years ago, I am now a student at the
University of Houston College of Hotel and Restaurant Management.
I can not wait to see where this program will lead me in my
future. I believe that Girl Scouts led me to the career of
my dreams and many exciting years to come.
Being in Girl Scouts also led me to a lifelong activity
I am involved in. I have always had a passion for singing
and sang throughout junior high and high school. My mom had
seen an article in The Golden Link about a Council
Choir called “Take Note” and thought I would be
interested in it. In January 2003 I attended a rehearsal of
theirs with another member of my troop and we really enjoyed
it. It was different than regular choral music because they
sang in the barbershop style in 4-part harmony. We both joined
the choir and started learning many new things.
Jacalyn at the Houston Horizons Dress Rehersal
at Moody Gardens. She is the black bear sitting on the floor.
Their entertainment package included four camping songs. |
Jacalyn singing the National Anthem with the Girl Scouts “Take
Note Choir” at the Houston Comets Game in 2004 at
the Toyota Center. Their picture was put on the Jumbo Screen.
Besides singing the national anthem around Houston at different
sporting events, we also were invited to attend different
events through the Sweet Adelines International Organization.
We sang many times at their Summer Music Camp Show and literally
stole the show the first year. They invited us to come experience
what the members are involved in at their  many
shows and competitions. Our director Beth Watkins is a member
of the Sweet Adelines International Houston Horizon Chorus
and their organization supports us in so many ways. Many of
the members of Houston Horizon Chorus would give up their
Sunday afternoons to come to sing with us at our rehearsals
and help us learn cool new music. They also help co-sponsor
an annual Harmony Sampler Workshop, now called Vocal Explosion,
every June to help show other young girls the joy of singing
4-part barbershop harmony.
While a member of the “Take Note” Choir, I was
able to meet several people in the Houston Horizon Chorus
and began to make friendships. I began attending their chorus
rehearsals and loved singing with them so much that I decided
to try out for the chorus. On my 18th birthday, last December,
I was inducted into the Houston Horizon Chorus and recently
performed with the chorus in Detroit, Michigan. Over the past
year that I have been singing with Houston Horizon, I have
experienced so much that is irreplaceable in my life. I have
more than 100 second mothers and all of them care deeply about
everything that I do. I have truly found something that I
can be a part of for the rest of my life and Girl Scouts led
me there. I am very proud and honored to be a part of the
Houston Horizon Chorus, and without Girl Scouts, I would probably
not have had the opportunity to join such a great organization.
Throughout all my years in Girl Scouts, I have learned so
much that has made me the person I am today and will help
me with the many endeavors in my future. Girl Scouts has taught
me to be a leader, a volunteer, be dependable, responsible,
and independent. I have been inspired in so many ways by the
many activities throughout Girl Scouts. It has opened my eyes
to a career in the hospitality industry and shown me a talented
and loving chorus that will always be there for me. |