Girl Scouts mark day with festivities
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13-year-old Misty Johnson, of Windsor, S.C., dances in a circle to an American Indian song with Jackson, S.C., native Deanna Jolley, 13. More than 100 Girl Scouts from the Lakeside Service United gathered at the school in recognition of World Thinking Day.
Photo by Quandra Collins
The sound of a beating drum and eclectic harmonies captured the attention of more than 100 Girl Scouts Feb. 12 at Lakeside Middle School.
While the Augusta Pow-Wow Association sang traditional American Indian songs, many eyes stayed fixed on young children, dressed up in the culture's authentic attire and dancing.
"I thought the (performance) was cool," Laina Freeman, 8, a Girl Scout Brownie troop 161 member, said after she participated in a group dance.
In celebration of World Thinking Day, which is Feb. 22, the Lakeside Service Unit, learned about American Indian tribes while highlighting certain cultures. The festive day was first formed in 1926 as a day to commemorate and show appreciation toward the sisterhood of Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world, according to the Girl Scout Web site.
"For the past two months, troops have studied and learned about a Native American tribe, and they are here today to share with others what they have learned," Jennifer Crow, the event's coordinator and a Girl Scout leader for troops 144 and 161, said at the World Thinking Day event.
"This is just an interesting way to learn about the similarities and differences with others, (especially) children."
Billy Medeiros, a descendant of the Ponca and Kiowa tribes, said teaching others about American Indian cultures is imperative.
8-year-old Laina Freeman, a Girl Scout Brownie troop 161 member, looks at American Indian memorabilia at Lakeside Middle School.
Photo by Quandra Collins
"We're trying to keep the Native American life active," he said.
"We want to expose it to people who have no idea about it."
From tasting cornbread to making sand paper art, signing a tepee, observing American Indian artifacts and memorabilia and more, participants also had the opportunity to mingle with new friends by exchanging crafts with one another.
Crow said each participant gave $1, totaling $150, which was given to the Augusta Pow-Wow Association.