Congratulations 2026 Volunteer Award Recipients
Help us congratulate all the outstanding volunteers leading the way for Girl Scouts in eastern Iowa and western Illinois. On April 18, 2026, all volunteer-award recipients were recognized for their dedication to making the world a better place. We are thankful for the support volunteers have provided Girl Scouts and the work they have done to help build girls of courage, confidence and character. Check out this year’s list of honorees:
Thanks Badge I
Thanks Badge is the highest volunteer honor, recognizing their ongoing commitment and exceptional service to the entire council or Girl Scout movement.
Amy Wheeler - SU 831 Anamosa, IA
Amy is an exceptional volunteer whose leadership, expertise, and dedication have elevated outdoor and archery programming across the entire Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois council. For more than 16 years, she has strengthened safety, consistency, and program excellence through her work as an archery facilitator, instructor trainer, and key architect of the council’s transition to USA Archery. She has helped launch and sustain programs like Courage, Confidence, and Campfires and Camp Echo. Her leadership, generosity, and vision have shaped council-wide policies, improved volunteer readiness, expanded opportunities for youth members, and ensured the long‑term sustainability of outdoor skills and target sports programs.
Clara Garman - SU 811 Marion, IA
Clara’s volunteer service has had an extraordinary, council‑wide impact, transforming aquatics safety, strengthening camp operations, and expanding outdoor opportunities for youth members and volunteers across Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois. As a deeply committed leader, lifeguard instructor, board member, and property advocate, she has elevated safety standards, trained and certified lifeguards, led Small Craft Safety programs, improved facilities through hands‑on work and financial contributions, and provided steady support at camps, events, and volunteer‑run programs. Her expertise, generosity, and relentless initiative have ensured that essential aquatics and outdoor experiences remain safe, high‑quality, and widely accessible for all Girl Scouts.
Deanna Wiezorek - SU 754 Dubuque, IA
Deanna Wiezorek has devoted nearly 30 years to Girl Scouting, providing steadfast leadership, knowledge, and support that has strengthened her service unit and the entire council. As Service Unit Director and long‑time Product Manager for both Fall Product and Cookie Programs, she has mentored countless troop leaders, managed a high‑performing cookie cupboard, and led rallies and trainings that keep volunteers informed and engaged. Her work on the Product Sales Committee has helped shape council‑wide initiatives, while her expertise and reliability have supported significant growth in product sales and strengthened access to Girl Scout programming. Known for her compassionate guidance and her willingness to take on any task, Deanna is the backbone of Service Unit 754 and a model of Girl Scout service whose dedication has had a lasting, meaningful impact.
Susan Lanning - SU 868 Moline, IL
Susan Lanning has played an indispensable role in strengthening the council’s international travel program, providing five years of exceptional service that has ensured safe, empowering, and inclusive travel experiences for Girl Scouts across five countries. As the nurse chaperone for two major international trips, she managed all medications, first aid supplies, and emergency information. Susan prepared through months of family meetings and planning calls, managed medical situations, and prioritized girl-led decision making, independence, and confidence-building. Beyond travel, she co-led four major fundraisers, securing donations, managing logistics, and helping raise more than $4,000 to make travel accessible for youth members. Known for her leadership, problem-solving, and kindness, Susan has become a trusted mentor, a stabilizing presence for anxious travelers, and a key reason these life-changing trips continue to thrive.
Honor Pin
Honor Pin recognizes volunteers who deliver exemplary service in two or more service units.
- Amanda Johnson, SU 622
- Jennifer Donovan, SU 812
- Kerensa Good-Bloyd, SU 857
- Melissa Plummer, SU 818
- Renee Wood, SU 811
- Shannon Bock Clay, SU 622
- Stella Aselin, SU 805
Commitment to Service Award
Commitment to Service Award honors volunteers who deliver exemplary service in one service unit for two or more years after receiving the Appreciation Pin.
- Sally Sklarsky, SU 811
Appreciation Pin
Appreciation Pin honors volunteers who deliver exemplary service in their service unit.
- Amy Straka
- Anna Schuster
- Caitlyn Hagans
- Chasity Dunkin
- Claire Whittaker-Smith
- Elizabeth O'Daniel
- Erin Adams
- Joelle Michaels
- Keia Miller
- Kim Woodward
- Kimberly Dyer
- Lacy Bock
- Madyson Newhall
- Ruth Schroeder
- Samantha Lange
- Summer O'Leary
- Trisha Johanson
Sustained Service Award
Sustained Service Award is presented to volunteers who have continued to deliver outstanding service, two or more years after receiving Volunteer of Excellence.
- Allison Parr
- Amber Vaughn
- Cathy Brimeyer
- Darrell Aaron
- Gwen Durham
- Heather Dennis
- Kayle Boggs
- Mary Kay Foerster
- Rebe Siewert
- Salina Gavin
Volunteer of Excellence
Volunteer of Excellence is awarded to volunteers who have contributed outstanding service in delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, or contributed service in support of the council’s mission delivery goals.
- Abby Van Anden
- Abigayle Allen
- Aleq Pobanz
- Amanda Hines
- Amanda Stuhler
- Amy Breeze
- Angela Kirkpatrick
- Anthony Holland
- Becky Lawton
- Beth Boney
- Brittany Elrod
- Brooke Haycraft
- Brooke Silbernagel
- Carrie Heiting
- Catherine Runty
- Chelsea Lee
- Corie Paxton
- Elizabeth Herbst
- Holly Creveling
- Holly Pline
- Jacque Komnick
- Jennifer Forbes
- Jill Frankel
- Julie Dean McCurdy
- Katie Haeffner
- Katie Jochim
- Kelly Terrill
- Keri Cook Lester
- Kristine Ziegler
- Kyla Burnett
- Liz Lambert
- Liz Smith
- Marissa Ramsey
- Maria Zabel
- Melanie Foreman
- Michelle Peters
- Molly Crowley
- Nathan Kohlmeier
- Rachel Ledger
- Rebecca Martinez
- Ruth Adams
- Shannon Walshire
- Stephanie Peterson
- Susan Hoadley
- Terra VanDusen
- Terri Endress
- Wendi Rexroad
- Wendy Kuenzler
Rising Star Award
Rising Star recognizes volunteers during their first three years of service who have gone above and beyond the expectations of their position.
- Aaron Hessenkemper
- Aaron Houzenga
- Abby Finnegan
- Abby Osterhout
- Alex Dirck
- Alexis Chadwick
- Alice Drummond
- Aly Bigham
- Amanda Hyde
- Amanda Mueller
- Amanda Williams
- Amber Craun
- Amber Linderbaum
- Amy Buenz
- AshLee Knapp
- Ashley Weir
- Bailey Anderson
- Beth Takemoto
- Breanna Peterson
- Brianna Friend
- Brianna Norman
- Bridgette Mandeville
- Brittany Daly
- Brittni Rose
- Brynley Castro
- Callie Pangburn
- Cally Fix
- Charla Wood
- Dani Gerbracht
- Darcy Dugan
- Elisabeth Ross
- Ellen Kimball
- Emily Nolan
- Emily Saunders
- Gayle Van Est
- Heather Jaques
- Holly Murray
- James Spitzer
- Jennelle Amlong
- Jennifer Colwell
- Joe VanDusen
- John Detombe
- Joi Clark
- Justin Nightengale
- Karlee Flosi
- Katie Bailey
- Katie Clark
- Katie Corlett
- Katlyn Berns
- Kensey Gulick
- Kristie Wilson
- Kristin Jansen
- Krystal Kelly
- Lauryn Breitsprecher
- Lexsea Strickrod
- Lindsay Peterson
- Linley Stees
- Lucy Kieffert
- Maddy Kent
- Megan Wise
- Melinda Miller
- Morgan Robinson
- Nikki Van Dyke
- Olivia Dorothy
- Patti Kramer
- Peggy Nord
- Penny Fiedler
- Sally Talbot
- Samantha Dozard
- Sami Nightengale
- Sarah Frances Candelaria
- Sarah Van Houten
- Staci Osborn
- Stefanie Guy
- Stephanie Assman
- Stephanie Rottman
- Tami Ketelsen
- Tammy Bass
Outstanding Service Award
The Outstanding Service Award is presented to volunteers from the community and organizations who have gone above and beyond to support Girl Scouts in their communities.
- Andy Parker - Moline, IL
- First Congregational Church - Anamosa, IA
- First Presbyterian Church - Independence, IA
- Jeff Wardenburg - Palo, IA
- Justin Hagans - Fairfield, IA
- Lake Iowa Park - Ladora, IA
- Marc Lutz - West Burlington, IA
- Michelle Berns and Luke Hart - Muscatine, IA
- Mike Goddard - Clinton, IA
- Prairie View Elementary School - Cedar Rapids, IA
- St. John's Community Center - Dubuque, IA
- Urbana Community Center - Urbana, IA
- West Branch Lions Club - West Branch, IA
President's Award
The President’s Award is the highest recognition a service unit can earn. It recognizes the efforts of a service unit whose exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience surpassed team goals and resulted in significant, measurable impact toward reaching the council’s overall goals.
- SU 603
- SU 610
- SU 612
- SU 616
- SU 621
- SU 622
- SU 625
- SU 760
- SU 803
- SU 805
- SU 808
- SU 810
- SU 811
- SU 812
- SU 816
- SU 819
- SU 831
- SU 836
- SU 842
- SU 846
- SU 855
- SU 858
- SU 859
- SU 870
- SU 871
- SU 877
- SU 882
- SU 886
- SU 889
- SU 890
- SU 897
- SU 915
- SU 922
- SU 932
- SU 940
- SU 941
