The Girl Scouts Black Diamond Council Ohio Valley Service Unit celebrated Girl Scouting's 100th birthday with a tea held recently at Malara Hall, Steubenville.
The program began with a flag ceremony followed by the Girl Scout promise and law candle ceremony.
Julie Paprocki served as mistress of ceremonies where the invocation was given by Monsignor Gerald Calovini of Holy Family Church.
The event ended with a candle-lighting ceremony in which each of the 68 Scouts participated, gathering in a "Friendship Circle" which represents an unbroken chain of friendship with Girl Scouts and Girl Guides all over the world.
"Girl Scouts began with a spark of light from Juliette Gordon Low, and we used a candle that was lit by a candle that could be traced back to the first Girl Scout campfire 100 years ago. Juliette Gordon Low told her Scouts to share the light of their friendship candle and keep her vision alive," a spokesperson said.
Katrina Vosteen, who achieved the Girl Scout Gold Award in 2011, passed the flame for the ceremony and sang a Scout favorite.
Among the guests was area resident Ruth Gump, a Girl Scout leader for 52 years who has received the Black Diamond Council Award and is still involved with her troop, Troop 4693, and the service unit.
The hostesses, Noni Paprocki, Jane Moore and Clare Vosteen, have been involved in Girl Scouting as Scouts and leaders for a combined 71 years.
