Girl Scout Honored with Buck Harris Award
Girl Scout Senior Lily of Troop 53 was recognized on Saturday, June 7, 2025, during the Girl Scouts Who Lead the Way annual youth awards celebration held at Norfolk State University, with the GSCCC Buck Harris Award. The award was established to honor the memory of Georgie “Buck” Harris, a former executive director of the Virginia Tidewater Girl Scout Council, and is presented each year to a Girl Scout who shares Buck’s love of the outdoors, has developed strong values, and serves the community. The award includes formal recognition from council leadership and a week of council-sponsored summer camp, at no cost.
Lily was nominated for the award by Girl Scout Brownie Troop 499 (sister troop to Troop 53) leaders Ashley Heberling and Amanda Walker, along with Lily’s mother, Melinda Willis. She has been an involved Girl Scout for 10 years, starting as a Girl Scout Daisy, and now uses her leadership skills to help younger Girl Scouts, going the extra mile to ensure that they are engaged at each meeting. Using the lessons she learned while earning the Girl Scout Bronze and Silver Awards, Lily has led Brownies in Troop 499 through badge work, including the Girl Scout Craft & Tinker badge and the Girl Scout Pets badge, along with the completion of a Take Action project.
Troop 499 co-leader Ashley Heberling said, “Lily is the heartbeat of Troop 499. As a dedicated member of Girl Scouts, she attends every meeting, not just as a participant, but as a leader and mentor to the younger Brownies. She takes each gathering as an opportunity to inspire, support, and uplift those around her. Lily exemplifies the legacy of Buck Harris. She has been a steward of kindness, service, and adventure, upholding the values that the Buck Harris Award represents.”
Looking back on her experiences with her troop and the Brownies of Troop 499, from community service and outdoor adventures to troop meetings and cookie booths, Lily recognizes the values learned as a big part of her life.
She said, “Memorizing the Girl Scout Promise and Law were the first things that I did as a Girl Scout Daisy. Ten years later, I look back on those simple words that I memorized as a little girl, and I recognize the huge impact that those simple words have had on my life. My Girl Scout experience of the last ten years has been nothing short of amazing. I have met my best friends and favorite mentors in Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts has made me believe that I really can make a difference and make the world a better place.”
Every year you will find Lily at Girl Scout camp where she has participated as a camper, program aide and this year she will be attending camp as a CIT. “I have had countless opportunities to learn and experience new things through Girl Scouts. I have found a love for adventure, the outdoors, camping, whitewater rafting, archery and more.," Lily shared. "I have learned that with patience, determination and perseverance I can accomplish anything that I set my mind to!”
Congratulations, Lily!
Learn more about The Legacy of Georgie “Buck” Harris and how you can nominate a Girl Scout for this award next year.
