2024 Dessert First Program

welcome to dessert first

On behalf of Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, thank you for joining us on Leap Day to honor the individuals and organizations whose passion for Girl Scouting has made a direct impact on our eastern Missouri Girl Scouts and communities. Tonight, we celebrate the achievements of exceptional three Gold Award Girl Scouts, Ryan Harper, Natalie Hendren, and Julie Meritt. These young women earned the highest community service award in Girl Scouting by generating solutions to real-world challenges with measurable and sustainable results. Earning the Gold Award represents a culmination of more than eighty hours of work, which can span months to even years—ultimately leaving a lasting impact on individuals, organizations, neighborhoods, schools and communities. These girls are creating a brighter future for us all! We are also thrilled to recognize this year’s four outstanding Legacy Builders: Neal Spencer, Spire, Saint Louis Public School District and United Way of Greater St. Louis. Each of these Legacy Builders has played a significant role in making skill-building programming and holistic opportunities accessible to all girls, and we celebrate their partnership and support. Thank you to our many generous sponsors and event patrons. Your support provides our organization the ability to create transformative and innovative experiences, connecting the girl of today with critical resources that will equip her with courage, confidence, and character as she develops into a leader of tomorrow. We greatly appreciate and commend the hard work and commitment of our Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri staff, who have ensured this event’s ongoing success. We would also like to extend our appreciation to the talented chefs who generously invest their culinary skills in support of the best leadership development program for girls in the world. Whether it be your time, talent or treasure, all invaluable contributions this evening will encourage girls everywhere to discover their untapped potential and soar higher. We thank you for and appreciate your commitment to enhancing the lives of girls across eastern Missouri.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICERS Dawn L. Kotva, Board Chair

Kimberly Hodge-Bell, 1st Vice Chair Jenny M. Bartlow, 2nd Vice Chair Vicki Dawkins, Secretary Mike Kiefer, Treasurer

MEMBERS AT LARGE Laurel “Buff” Burkel

Lisa Bell-Reim Michael Dozier Eric Eoloff Kalen Fumagalli Meghana Hebbar* Christine Iovaldi Julie Leverenz Keith Marty Sonni Nolan Thuy Vi Quach-Braig Jeff Steiner Anastasia Stevenson Mikayla Woods*

*Girl Board Member

Natissia Small, Ed.D. Chief Executive Officer Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri

Dawn L. Kotva Board Chair Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri