By Theresa Watson, MA, associate director of academic services for student success and a lecturer of mathematics
I hope you join me in wishing a very happy birthday to the Girl Scouts of the USA!
On March 12, 1912, our founder, Juliette Gordon Low, arrived home from England and immediately called her cousin who was a local principal. She said, “I’ve got something for the girls of Savannah, and all of America, and all the world, and we’re going to start it tonight!” She gathered a group of 18 girls and held her first American Girl Guide meeting in Savannah, Georgia. Technically, our organization was originally named “Girl Guides” the first year, but it was the wish of the girls to change the name to Girl Scouts in 1913.
I have been a member of the Girl Scout organization for 48 years. This organization taught me to be a leader, a teacher, a goal setter, a decision maker, a problem solver and a team member. This is where I learned to love and care for the environment around me. I love the traditions that all Girl Scouts share from flag ceremonies to bridging and award ceremonies.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College has become a second home for me. I have found that I just cannot get enough of the traditions here at The Woods. Our year starts with a solid foundation during The Avenue Welcome where we celebrate and welcome our students to a successful educational year. Then we have the Acorn Ceremony where the seniors officially welcome the first-year students to the campus (like our rededication ceremony in Scouting). Should I mention here that it breaks my heart (insert sarcasm here) that I get to build and maintain the campfire? The weeklong Homecoming Cup Games reminds me of our camporee events where girls show off their skills. I love admiring the painted windows and watching the bed races. The fall semester ends with the Equine holiday ride where we hear fabulous Christmas carols being sung from the students on horseback.
The traditions in the spring are just as fantastic. Excitement of our Woods Giving Day provides free SMWC socks to donors of $50 or more. The excitement of Ring Day begins in January with the ordering of rings. This leads to the Ring Day ceremonies. This emotional day is when the Juniors receive their well-deserved rings. These rings signify the challenging work towards academic success that each student has achieved. This tradition is like our awards ceremonies where everyone celebrates the higher award success (the gold, silver, and bronze awards). One of my favorite events must be Midnight Breakfast. This is my opportunity to serve my students and get them off to a successful final exam week.
Finally, we have graduation day. Sigh…. It is both a joyous and a sad day all rolled into one. I can watch my students fly into the next stage of their lives. To see them achieve their dreams and share the joy with their families is such an exciting feeling. On the other hand, I have to say goodbye to them. Saying goodbye is never an easy task, but I know that they have the skills and the knowledge to set the world on fire. I love the fact that many of my students stay connected over the years just as my graduate Girl Scouts do.
To my current undergraduate students, I hope you attend these traditions at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. Work hard to develop your craft and develop into a strong oak tree. The bonds that you build during college will stay with you forever. To my students who have graduated or are ready to graduate, be a good role model to your younger classmates. Celebrate the traditions that take place here at The Woods.
Congratulations to those students who are about to graduate, and Happy 113th Birthday to the Girl Scout movement. May the traditions of both continue long into the future. Be sure to get your Juliette Gordon Low quarter. The U.S. Mint will release it on March 24th.
Theresa Watson, MS, associate director of academic services for student success and a lecturer of mathematics, has been a part of The Woods family since 2018. She earned her undergraduate degree in education from Purdue University and earned two master’s degrees in elementary education and instructional design from Indiana State University. She joined The Woods after teaching at Harrison College for 18 years. With over two decades of experience in Higher Education, Watson loves to instill skills in students that they can take into the world. Additionally, Watson is also a devoted volunteer troop leader for Girl Scouts. The organization has been a part of her life for more than 40 years.
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