Badgerland Volunteer Appreciation
Adult volunteers make Girl Scouting happen! They selflessly give their time and talents to help build girls of courage, confidence, and character. We appreciate our volunteers and believe they deserve to be recognized for their contributions.
Meet our 2025 Volunteer Honorees!
Girl Scouts USA Volunteer of Excellence 
Jean Applebaugh
Jean has been a cornerstone of her troop and the broader Girl Scout community for many years. She combines creativity, organizational skill, and an unwavering dedication to ensuring every Girl Scout feels seen, supported, and empowered. Beyond troop meetings, Jean invests her time in mentorship, service projects, and program planning that engages girls in meaningful, leadership-driven experiences.
Jean’s thoughtful guidance encourages Girl Scouts to take risks, explore new ideas, and develop resilience. She has a gift for helping volunteers and families navigate challenges while keeping the focus on what matters most—the growth, confidence, and joy of each child. Her work has strengthened her troop, enriched her community, and provided a model of excellence for other volunteers.
Through her consistent effort, approachable leadership, and ability to inspire collaboration, Jean has created opportunities that ripple across her service unit and beyond, making her a true exemplar of the Volunteer of Excellence Award.
Tiffany Hunt
Tiffany embodies the essence of volunteer leadership, seamlessly balancing vision with action. She approaches every project, troop activity, and service initiative with intention, ensuring that every Girl Scout benefits from a supportive, engaging, and girl-led experience. Tiffany’s leadership extends beyond logistics; she nurtures confidence, creativity, and independence in her Girl Scouts while modeling resilience and kindness for the adults around her.
Her ability to anticipate challenges, problem-solve creatively, and inspire others has elevated her troop’s experiences and created opportunities for youth to shine. From service projects to skill-building activities, Tiffany’s guidance ensures that everyone has a chance to discover her strengths, take meaningful risks, and contribute to the community.
Tiffany’s commitment and thoughtful leadership have a profound and lasting impact on her troop, her peers, and the broader Girl Scout community, making her an outstanding recipient of the Volunteer of Excellence Award.
Jamie Gennrich
Jamie brings energy, innovation, and a deep sense of purpose to everything she does as a Girl Scout volunteer. She designs experiences that are engaging, inclusive, and designed to foster leadership, collaboration, and personal growth in every girl she serves. Her troop benefits not only from her organizational expertise, but from her ability to cultivate a culture of curiosity, creativity, and confidence.
Jamie’s leadership extends beyond her immediate troop—she mentors other volunteers, helps coordinate community service projects, and ensures that the Girl Scout values are at the heart of every endeavor. Her vision, passion, and commitment inspire those around her, creating a ripple effect of engagement and excellence across her service unit.
Her dedication to helping youth grow into capable, confident leaders, combined with her steadfast commitment to volunteerism, makes Jamie a deserving recipient of the Volunteer of Excellence Award.
Marissa Hoehne
Marissa has transformed her troop and community in just two short years, growing her troop to 33 girls across all levels while cultivating a family-like environment that keeps everyone engaged and inspired. Under her leadership, the troop has executed remarkable achievements, including large-scale Hurricane Relief Drives sending aid to Tennessee, Florida, and Los Angeles, as well as record-breaking cookie sales exceeding 17,000 boxes with 12 top sellers.
Marissa’s dedication extends well beyond her troop. She serves as SU 10 Operations Lead, a Council Delegate, and continually seeks new ways to expand her impact on the community. Her approach emphasizes putting youth first, empowering them to take initiative, develop leadership skills, and give back in meaningful ways.
In her own words: “My daughters drive my passion. Seeing how much they love Scouts makes my heart happy. I am just a mom that found something unexpected. The unexpected grew into love of something I continue to learn about and from.”
Marissa’s vision, resilience, and heart have not only strengthened her troop, but have left a lasting mark on the council and community at large, making her an exemplary recipient of the Volunteer of Excellence Award.
Girl Scouts USA Appreciation Pin
Laurel Ruud
Laurel is a volunteer whose dedication, organization, and energy leave a lasting mark on the youth and adult volunteers she serves. Over the years, she has consistently stepped up to support troops and service unit initiatives, ensuring that every activity runs smoothly and that every young person feels included and valued. Her efforts range from planning engaging programs and service projects to mentoring new volunteers, always with a focus on creating meaningful, memorable experiences.
Laurel’s work exemplifies the core of Girl Scouting—helping young people grow in confidence, leadership, and character while fostering community and collaboration. She brings thoughtfulness, creativity, and patience to every challenge, and her reliability gives both her peers and the youth she serves the confidence to dream big and try new things. She is known for finding solutions to unexpected challenges, for offering guidance when it’s most needed, and for celebrating every small and large success along the way.
Through her unwavering commitment, Laurel has cultivated an environment where volunteers feel supported and youth feel empowered to explore, learn, and shine. Her dedication strengthens not just individual troops, but the community as a whole, leaving a legacy that will be felt for years to come.
For all of these reasons, we are proud to present Laurel Ruud with the Appreciation Pin, honoring her tireless support and the countless ways she enriches the Girl Scout experience for everyone around her.
Girl Scouts USA President's Award
Leaders of Troop 1048:
Pat Howell, Keri Robbins, Ken Eeg
These three dedicated volunteers began their journey with Troop 1048 at the Daisy level and, with unwavering commitment, guided their youth all the way through to graduation. This summer, they celebrate an incredible milestone: launching five young leaders into adulthood — confident, empowered individuals ready to serve, inspire, and make a difference.
Together, Keri, Pat, and Ken created a true Girl Scout safe space where youth could explore, grow, and lead. Their troop’s adventures spanned overnights, field trips, badge work, and standout experiences such as diving deep into aviation and air traffic control during the Breathe Journey. And through it all, this team held fast to a core principle—that requirements would always be met with honesty and integrity, never shortcuts. That commitment instilled values that will stay with their troop for life.
Each of these leaders brought something unique and irreplaceable to the team:
Keri consistently created fun, inclusive, and youth-led opportunities. Her strong communication and joyful spirit ensured that every participant felt supported, valued, and empowered to lead.
Pat anchored the troop with steady guidance, keeping the Girl Scout Promise and Law at the center of everything. Her thoughtful leadership turned activities into lasting lessons in growth, teamwork, and character.
Ken brought creativity and adventure, sparking curiosity and making even complex topics — like aviation — engaging and exciting. His energy inspired the troop to try new things and expand their horizons.
The impact of their leadership is perhaps best captured in their troop’s Silver Award project. Seeing how small acts of unkindness were affecting school culture, the troop—guided and encouraged by their leaders—curated books, created discussion prompts, and developed classroom resources to spark awareness and change. That project is just one example of how these leaders empowered youth to identify meaningful issues, take action, and create real impact.
Walking alongside their troop from kindergarten to graduation, Keri, Pat, and Ken have shown rare and remarkable dedication. They have modeled the very best of Girl Scouting: integrity, inclusivity, and a deep belief in the power of youth-led leadership.
Girl Scouts USA Legacy Award
Karen Alderden
Karen’s contributions are impossible to fully capture, but a few highlights speak volumes: she has guided countless troops, supported community events, and mentored fellow volunteers, always with grace, humor, and a deep understanding of what it means to empower young people. She actively seeks ways to support every youth, helping them navigate the challenges of growing up, discover who they are, and be the person they need to be. She continually educates herself, seeks guidance, and offers unwavering support so that every young person she works with can thrive.
Her dedication goes beyond programs and badges — Karen has been a constant presence at camps, day and overnight, sometimes cooking, sometimes organizing, always cheering on youth and volunteers alike. She has created spaces where young people can explore, learn, and grow in confidence, and she has nurtured generations of volunteers to become leaders in their own right. Her humor, patience, and wisdom make her a beloved mentor, and her generosity of spirit has left an indelible mark on everyone lucky enough to work with her.
Her commitment has shaped not only the youth she has served, but also the volunteers and leaders who have had the joy of working alongside her. Karen embodies the spirit of Girl Scouting, showing us all that passion, dedication, and inclusivity can create a lasting legacy.
Fun fact: Karen even jokes that she doesn’t really like camping — yet she’s been involved in day camps since the 1970s and even cooked at summer camp while in college! That is the kind of commitment, humor, and love for Girl Scouting that has kept her active for more than half a century.
Badgerland L.E.A.D.E.R.S Awards
2025 Volunteer Honorees
Leadership
Rebecca Claeys
Rebecca is the heart of her multi-level troop. She goes above and beyond to make sure every Girl Scout feels seen, valued, and included—whether that means helping families with rides, adapting badge work for all levels, or simply cheering up a girl who needs a smile. Her co-leader says Rebecca is the best example of a true leader: she listens before she speaks, respects differences, and keeps her troop positive and engaged. Rebecca says she loves volunteering because she gets to witness shy and bold girls alike grow into inspiring leaders—kids who will change the world. Her favorite troop memory-maker? Camping trips, where cabins and tents alike are filled with laughter and friendship. And here’s a sweet note—Rebecca always wished she could be a Girl Scout as a child but never had the chance. Volunteering has fulfilled that lifelong dream, and she now gets to experience Girl Scouts side-by-side with her own kids. Proving it’s never too late to be a Girl Scout!
Allison Martinson
Allison started Troop 8187 at her child’s request, hoping to create a safe and welcoming space where kids could truly be themselves—and that’s exactly what she’s done. Her troop is a joyful, inclusive community that proudly shows up at Pride events and Trans Day of Visibility to remind the world that Girl Scouts is for everyone. Beyond her troop, Allison has taken her passion for inclusion to the wider Girl Scout movement, serving in the past as a staff member, Council Delegate, and even National Delegate. What makes her so special is the way she leads with both heart and creativity, always finding new ways for Girl Scouts to learn, grow, and celebrate who they are.
Amanda Boyd
Amanda has been instrumental in championing entrepreneurship through her support of the Cookie Program. Known for her creative approaches and encouragement, Amanda helps Girl Scouts set goals, develop their business skills, and find confidence in their own abilities. She consistently goes the extra mile to make cookie season fun and engaging, from helping brainstorm new booth ideas to ensuring every Girl Scout feels ownership of the process. Amanda’s leadership transforms the Cookie Program into more than just a fundraiser—it becomes a space for growth, innovation, and the development of critical skills that will serve Girl Scouts for life.
Entrepreneurship
Dana Hendricks
Dana Hendricks has shown extraordinary dedication and enthusiasm for the Girl Scout Cookie Program year after year. Her commitment goes far beyond simply supporting her own troop—she has taken on the monumental task of coordinating cookie distribution for multiple troops, even welcoming entire pallets of cookies delivered right to her home. Her service unit consistently benefits from her efforts, as her troop’s sales lead the way in offsetting costs for events that all Girl Scouts in the community enjoy. Dana’s organizational skills, clear communication, and willingness to step in wherever needed ensure that cookie season runs smoothly for everyone involved. Her leadership in entrepreneurship has not only provided resources for Girl Scouts, but also modeled what it means to take initiative, work hard, and lift others up.
Amanda Stewart
Amanda has improved cookie selling opportunities by using her connections and creating new ones with business leaders in town. She has come up with non-traditional ways to sell cookies and made sure it all ran smoothly. She created a service unit activity and has ideas in process, working with Girl Scouts in her troop and leaders in the service unit to bring them to life. She has spent countless hours creating binders and meeting plans so her Girl Scouts have lifelong memories to look back on. She carried her troop through cookie season like a champ—even with a broken ankle! Amanda is always looking for opportunities for her troop to give back to the community and truly values everybody’s input. She is a leader in every sense of the word
Alaina Landerud
Alaina Landerud shines in her ability to make the entrepreneurial spirit of Girl Scouts come alive. She empowers Girl Scouts to take the lead in their product programs, helping them learn not only how to sell cookies but how to believe in themselves and their goals. With patience and creativity, Alaina encourages youth to think big, solve problems, and celebrate their achievements along the way. Under her guidance, the Cookie Program becomes an adventure in confidence and leadership—skills that will ripple far beyond the sales season.
Amateur
Debbie Bohl
Debbie brings a wealth of creativity and a deep love for the outdoors to her first year as a troop leader. She is committed to making sure every meeting is engaging and memorable—whether through hands-on activities, meaningful discussions, or outdoor adventures. Debbie stepped into her role with enthusiasm and has quickly become a trusted mentor for her troop. Her ability to connect with her Girl Scouts, foster curiosity, and create a fun, welcoming environment has made her first year of leadership an incredible success.
Marissa Buchholz
Marissa stepped into her role as a first-year troop leader with confidence, heart, and innovation. Leading a multi-level troop of 15 Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Girl Scouts in the Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton school district, she didn’t let the challenge of juggling program levels hold her back. Instead, she created a rotating parent leadership model where each family takes a turn planning and leading meetings—an approach that both empowers families and ensures consistent programming.
As both a school administrative assistant and troop leader, Marissa is deeply invested in her community and committed to helping youth grow. Her inclusive, sustainable troop culture fosters leadership and shared ownership from the start. With her clear communication, flexibility, and can-do spirit, Marissa has inspired confidence in both Girl Scouts and parents alike—proving that a first year of leadership can be both innovative and impactful.
Britta Lothary
Britta has embraced her new role as troop leader with enthusiasm, creativity, and a heart for adventure. She jumped right in, making sure her Girl Scouts had opportunities to explore the outdoors, try new activities, and strengthen friendships along the way. Britta’s positive energy and thoughtful planning have set the stage for many more years of Girl Scouting ahead. She is proof that even in the early years of leadership, one volunteer’s passion can make a big difference in the lives of young people.
Development
Madeline Norton
Madeline has dedicated herself to guiding older Girl Scouts as they pursue the Gold Award. As a National Young Woman of Distinction and a long-time member of Badgerland’s Highest Awards Committee, she wears many hats—mentoring candidates, reviewing proposals and final projects, and serving on the Logistics Committee to ensure every project stays on track. Her insight, encouragement, and approachable leadership style help girls reflect on what they learn through their work and grow as leaders. Beyond the committee, Madeline leads a Cadette troop, empowering girls to make decisions, take risks, and gain confidence. Her commitment, organization, and thoughtfulness make her an extraordinary example of adult leadership in Girl Scouting.
Carrie Czerwonka
Carrie brings out the best in every girl she works with, guiding her troop through meaningful experiences that build leadership and resilience. Her girls completed an inspiring Silver Award project at Camp Ehawee, constructing 16 bat houses to support the local ecosystem—an effort that demanded persistence, creativity, and teamwork. Now, she mentors her high school-aged troop members as they prepare for the Gold Award, integrating their interests into each step of their journey. Carrie’s infectious positivity, commitment to development, and ability to meet every challenge with optimism make her an outstanding mentor and leader.
Kathryn Christopherson
Kathryn’s leadership is defined by tenacity, persistence, and dedication. She has led her Cadette troop for years, often without a large team of supporting adults, finding creative solutions to meet supervision ratios and deliver meaningful experiences. From grocery shopping and prepping crafts to coordinating cookie distribution and supporting service unit events, Kathryn consistently shows up to get the job done. Her focus on meeting each girl where she is, providing opportunities for growth, and modeling the value of Girl Scouting has profoundly impacted her troop. Her faithfulness and adaptability exemplify the spirit of the Development Award.
Emeritus
Pat Coyne
Pat has been an extraordinary presence in Girl Scouting for many years. She has brought creativity, organization, and heart to every role she has taken on, whether leading a troop, supporting service unit events, or mentoring other volunteers. Pat has a unique ability to see the strengths in every volunteer and Girl Scout she works with, and she uses that insight to create meaningful, memorable experiences. Her dedication extends far beyond a single troop or project; she is often the quiet force behind the scenes, ensuring that events run smoothly, families feel supported, and volunteers have the guidance they need. Pat’s wisdom, generosity, and unwavering commitment have made her an invaluable member of the Badgerland Girl Scout community.
Sonja Umberger
Sonja has dedicated countless hours to the Girl Scout movement, serving in leadership roles that span decades. While her contributions may not always be in the traditional troop leader role, her impact is felt throughout the council. She consistently shares her knowledge, experience, and mentorship with other volunteers, helping them grow into confident and capable leaders. Sonja’s thoughtful guidance has strengthened troops, service units, and individual volunteers alike, and she is known for her patience, insight, and the personal care she brings to every interaction. Her long-term commitment and steadfast support embody the very essence of the Emeritus Award.
Rising Star
Colleen Anderson
Colleen has stepped up in a big way for the Stoughton Girl Scout community, taking on leadership of events that keep our girls engaged and thriving. She chaired the local derby car race and co-chaired the Stoughton Camporee, ensuring both events were inclusive, fun, and well-organized for girls of all ages. Colleen’s willingness to step in, collaborate, and problem-solve has made a lasting impact on our community.
As a lifelong Girl Scout and a dedicated parent of a Daisy and a Junior, Colleen understands the importance of building strong, supportive experiences for youth. She reminds us that you don’t need to have all the answers to be a good leader—you just need to be willing to figure it out together. Her thoughtfulness, humility, and dedication make her a shining example of what a Rising Star can achieve.
Brett Fankhauser
Brett is the kind of volunteer who quietly keeps the wheels turning for Girl Scouts—literally! He’s housed the Stoughton Girl Scout trailer for years, managed logistics for the bi-annual garage sale, expertly run the timing for the derby car race, and even stepped up as cookie coordinator for his daughter’s troop.
Brett’s commitment is tireless, his work ethic unmatched, and his knowledge of everything from trailers to cookie logistics invaluable. He makes the challenging look effortless and consistently goes above and beyond to ensure every girl has the opportunity to succeed. Brett embodies the Rising Star spirit through his willingness to take on whatever is needed and his dedication to the girls in our community.
Meghan Steingraber
Meghan exemplifies what it means to be a Rising Star. In 2023, when both troop leaders stepped down just weeks after the girls joined, she jumped in seamlessly, ensuring the troop continued without missing a beat. Since then, she has poured her heart into creating meaningful, engaging experiences that help girls step outside their comfort zones, try new things, and grow in confidence.
Balancing her own young children, a full-time job, and troop leadership, Meghan manages it all with grace, enthusiasm, and an unwavering commitment to her Girl Scouts. Under her guidance, the troop nearly doubled cookie sales, and she has instilled a strong sense of community service, teamwork, and fun. Her creativity, energy, and dedication make her an inspiring leader and a true Rising Star in Girl Scouts.
SU Superhero
Rebecca Maas
Rebecca is a volunteer who consistently goes above and beyond for her troop and our service unit. She is organized, thoughtful, and deeply invested in ensuring every girl has fun, meaningful, and enriching experiences. Rebecca plans engaging activities not only for her own troop but also contributes to events across the service unit, helping girls from multiple troops enjoy memorable, girl-led opportunities.
Her dedication is evident in everything she does, from coordinating events to mentoring other volunteers. She creates an environment where girls feel supported and encouraged, and where fellow volunteers know they can rely on her guidance and expertise.
Rebecca is a true Service Unit Superhero, whose contributions help make every Girl Scout experience better for all involved.
Tara Parrott
Tara’s passion for Girl Scouting shines in everything she does. She consistently steps up to coordinate volunteers, prepare materials, and support events, ensuring that each activity is seamless and engaging for girls and adults alike. Her encouragement and reliability set a standard for excellence in leadership and service.
What drives Tara is seeing the growth of her Girl Scouts—witnessing them build confidence, leadership, and kindness through the opportunities she helps create. She understands the impact of her work and approaches it with creativity, care, and joy.
Tara Parrott is a Service Unit Superhero whose dedication helps girls flourish and inspires everyone around her.
Linda VanBuskirk
Linda is a volunteer whose energy, creativity, and commitment leave a lasting impact on our service unit. She consistently supports multiple troops, helping coordinate events, mentor new volunteers, and problem-solve to ensure every Girl Scout opportunity runs smoothly. Linda’s calm presence, positive attitude, and willingness to step in wherever needed make her an invaluable part of our community.
Through her dedication, Linda helps create experiences where girls feel empowered, supported, and celebrated. Her leadership extends beyond logistics—she models the values of service, teamwork, and generosity that make Girl Scouts so special.
Linda VanBuskirk's contributions enrich our entire Girl Scout community, making her another great Service Unit Superhero.
Recognize an Amazing Volunteer
Adult Recognition and Awards Nomination for 2026 On My Honor Celebration.
NOMINATE
Show off your Years of Membership
The Numeral Guard pin displays the total number of years of registered membership, both as a youth and an adult, in 5 year increments.
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