TESA Girl Scout

Gold Award

Carol Castlebury, Chairperson

Brenham Gold Award Scout Wins

Texas Elks $2,500 Scholarship

            Alanna DeSimio of Brenham Girl Scout Troop 389 is the 2009 winner of the Texas Elks State Association’s $2,500 Girl Scout Gold Award scholarship.  Alanna is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John T. DeSimio of Brenham and  plans to study veterinary medicine at Texas A&M University.

            The Girl Scout scholarship is just one of many scholarships given by the Texas Elks State Association (TESA) and its national organization.   Texas Elks—with 17,000 members in 65 Lodges across the state—are active in a wide range of youth, community and veterans activities, including a summer camp for special needs children and grants for prosthetics devices to disabled needy children.

            Alanna was recognized along with Gold Award winners from across Texas recently at the annual Girl Scout Gold Award ceremonies at the state capitol.   The Gold Award is Girl Scouting’s highest achievement.  

            Carol Castlebury of Austin, TESA Gold Award scholarship state chair, attended the capitol ceremonies to congratulate Alanna. 

            Alanna’s Gold project was the placing of Walls of Honor in schools throughout Brenham for recognition of students for academic achievements.      

             Brenham Elk David Kirts knew the Texas Elks gave a scholarship to a Girl Scout Gold Award winner.  David mentioned that to his wife Lori, a Girl Scout Troop leader.   Lori encouraged Alanna to apply and she did.  

            Alanna’s application came to Brenham Lodge #979 at the last minute.   Thanks goodness it got in the hands of Elk Ken Williamson.   Ken got Alanna’s application to the proper TESA authorities on time.  

            Alanna won---and now with the help of the Elks $2,500 scholarship she is on her way to study veterinary medicine at Texas A&M.   It is a bright future for a bright young lady-----and all because two Elks, David Kirts and Ken Williamson, took the initiative to prove that Elks Care ~ Elks Share!

            The Elks scholarship is based on leadership, service, financial need and  academic success.

Alanna in the Texas House of Representatives chamber during the Girl Scout Gold Award celebration at the state capitol

Other Girl Scouts participating in the Gold Award celebration at the state capitol

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