Scout leader receives award

Brenda Soyez of Marion had a retirement goal of being a scout leader for her grandchildren.

She partially fulfilled that when she was a Cub Scout pack leader for grandson Devin.

Nine years ago, she added Girl Scout leader to the list when granddaughter Mickelly entered kindergarten.

The icing on the cake came Saturday when she was one of 27 Girl Scout leaders and volunteers honored by Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland at a recognition breakfast in Salina.

“They don’t tell you who nominated you, and I’d like to thank them,” Soyez said. “I appreciate that somebody took the time to do the nomination.”

Soyez has a full plate running herd over seven troops, kindergarten through eighth grade, and works alongside Kylie Schroeder, Sherri Soyez, and Shawna Hake.

But next year, Soyez plans to cut back.

“I’m going to have to give up some troops next year,” she said. “If somebody doesn’t step up, there won’t be seven troops.”

When Soyez became a leader, there were about 100 girls in Marion Girl Scouts. This year there are 40, she said. As the scouting numbers have fallen, so, too, have the number of volunteers.

Volunteers also could help cover 90-minute troop meetings every other week.

Soyez said being troop leader has been fun and rewarding, and she hopes someone will be found to fill her shoes.

“We’d like to have anybody that would come help,” she said.