Never underestimate the power of a determined Girl Scout. When Sierra, Josefina, and Madelyn, members of Troop 80972, wanted to wear Girl Scout honor cords at their recent high school graduation, they wouldn’t take no for an answer.
The girls, all members of the Shippensburg Area Senior High School Class of 2024, knew that their peers were permitted to wear cords with their graduation gowns, symbolizing accomplishments such as participating in National Honor Society.
Sierra reached out to principal Deb Luffy, asking if the girls could wear Girl Scout honor cords, even though she knew it was a longshot. “We had been told that girls had tried to have the cords added to our commencement ceremony before, but with no luck,” Sierra said.
They set up an in-person meeting with Luffy, and the Girl Scouts came prepared. “I asked other teachers involved with organizations that receive cords for advice on how to best present our case,” said Madelyn. “With their advice, we created a list of requirements that must be completed in order to receive the honor cords.” They obtained list approval from their troop leaders and Service Unit leaders and then advocated for the cords at their meeting with the principal.
“We informed her about how Girl Scouts are involved in the community, how educational it is, how it helps improve leadership and confidence,” Madelyn said. The girls also shared stories of memories they’ve made over the years, including their volunteer experiences and a trip to Pax Lodge, the London-based Girl Scout World Center.
After the hour-long meeting, the girls weren’t sure what their principal would decide, and it took several days for Luffy to consider the subject.
Luffy was impressed with their presentation and their passion for the cause, and she ultimately agreed to not only let the girls wear the cords, but to also allow all future Girl Scouts who meet the requirements to wear the cords at graduation as well.
“You should be very proud of those young ladies,” Luffy wrote in an email to the girls’ troop leader. “They did a tremendous job representing Girl Scouts.”
Josefina believes Luffy said yes because the girls were well prepared with their case. “We talked about how Girl Scouts is a national and educational organization,” she said. “We talked about what all we had learned and accomplished through the years of being in Girl Scouts. I believe this really set the tone for the meeting and for what caused her to approve it.”
For Josefina, wearing the cords was a personal goal but also a way to honor a family member. “My mom is the reason I’ve accomplished so much,” she said. “She’s one of the main reasons I’ve stayed in Girl Scouts for so long. My mom has done so much for our Service Unit, and without her, I wouldn’t have even known about the cords. I am proud of being a Girl Scout and I have a right to display that.”
Sierra viewed wearing the cords as a way to showcase her commitment to Girl Scouts and set an example for others. “I think of it as an opportunity for younger girls and Girl Scouts, as well as their families, to see and recognize that you can be a Girl Scout in high school,” she said, adding that she joined Girl Scouts as a high school student. “I have learned so many skills, made many memories, and created some of my closest bonds due to Girl Scouts. … I’m so happy that Girl Scouts from here on out will be able to show their pride as well as hard work and dedication.”
Written by Cathy Molitoris, Marketing Coordinator for Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania.
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