Congratulations to Girl Scout Rosie Echeverria Conte, recipient of the Shawn Neville Award at O’Hara Elementary School for demonstrating exceptional responsibility and kindness. (That’s what being a Girl Scout is all about!)

When Mr. Neville, a beloved teacher at O’Hara Elementary School unexpectedly passed away in September 2013, the O’Hara Elementary PTO collected donations and helped establish the Shawn Neville Character Award. Each year, the 5th-grade teaching team meets to select a student who encompasses the spirit and character of Mr. Neville.

There are three criteria for selection:

• Respectful – The student is polite and courteous to peers, teachers, and adults.
• Compassion – The student is a good friend, showing loyalty and kindness toward others.
• Accountability – The student is responsible for his/her actions with respect to school work, individual responsibilities, and behavior.

This award is given only to one student per 5th-grade generation, and not every year, but only when there is someone who fits the above criteria. Each 5th-grade teacher nominates a student, and then all teachers vote for the student of their choice.

Rosie’s mother says Girl Scouts has helped Rosie grow as a person and taught her to help others. Last year, Rosie helped with her younger sister’s Girl Scout troop when they met each month, sharing stories and helping the younger girls with activities.

The following is part of the nomination letter sent by a teacher who nominated Rosie:

“Rosie is incredibly kind to all of those she interacts with. Not only is she always willing to help those around her, she truly cares if they succeed and looks forward to seeing her peers accomplish great things. She never judges another student, rather, she meets them where they are and makes sure they feel like they are part of the group. In class, Rosie is always on task, follows directions the first time, and is always up for a challenge! In group work, she encourages her peers to help them learn rather than just giving away the answers. She always assists those in academics that may need help.

She really enjoys hanging out with her friends, but also, she will just as quickly leave her closest friends if she sees someone who is left out or needs a friend at that moment. As a bus monitor, Rosie is eager to help her younger peers on the bus and at dismissal to ensure everyone gets where they need to be safely.

She also volunteers after school to help her mother with her younger sibling’s Girl Scout troop. Rosie consistently shows compassion to those around her and always shares a smile while doing so. Rosie is also always looking out for the entirety of O’Hara. Rosie participated in the PBIS videos that were utilized as lesson guides for students at the beginning of the school year. Rosie is trustworthy, dedicated, and consistently displays outstanding decision-making. It is with the utmost recommendation that I nominate Rosie for the Shawn Neville Award!!”

Congratulations on this special recognition, Rosie!

Lilly Anna Waleff, a Girl Scout in Commodore Perry Troop 36465, was awarded the title of National Powwow Princess this past summer at Hendricks County Fairgrounds in Danville, Indiana.

The National Powwow event took place July 6-9, attracting families from all over the country. Teen girls ages 11-18 competed for the honor of representing this powwow for the next three years. The competition had a written component, a face-to-face interview with a committee of experts, a judged dance exhibition, and a vote by the populace in attendance.

Hailing from Native American ancestry, Lilly Anna has participated in Native American cultural events and powwows her entire life, even spending her first event in a cradleboard made by her parents and grandparents. Her mother, Marci Waleff—who is also a Girl Scout volunteer—says Lilly is proud of her family’s ancestry and enjoys learning from everyone she meets on the powwow trail.

As National Powwow Princess, Lilly Anna will travel to cultural events and powwows and serve as an ambassador and role model, striving to increase participation in the 2026 powwow. “During my reign, I plan to attend as many powwows as I can and encourage others to participate,” she said.

Lilly Anna has a strong sense of self and aims to do her best job as a national representative by working hard to better herself and help other people of Native American ancestry participate in cultural events. 

“Being National Powwow Princess means I need to be a leader,” she said. “I was happy when I won.” Lilly Anna also stated that Girl Scouting has helped teach her leadership skills and how to take risks and trust the outcome.

Congratulations, Lilly Anna!