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
Reba 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 Breese
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
Marla 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 Stickrod
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