Religious emblems ceremony recognizes three women for their service to Girl Scouting in diocese
SALT LAKE CITY – The Scout Religious Emblems Ceremony took place Feb. 26 at the Cathedral of the Madeleine but this time, besides all the recognitions that Boy and Girl scouts earned through their service, three adult women were recognized, too.
Elizabeth Nafus, a Saint Olaf parishioner, and Janet Howerton, parishioner of Saint James the Just, were presented with the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Medal. Janet Evans, a parishioner at Saint James the Just, received the Saint Anne Medal, which is the highest national recognition for adults who work with Girl Scouts and Camp Fire girls.
"Recognitions are not just for youth. Adults who work tirelessly and without pay to mentor young people deserve special acknowledgment as well," states the National Catholic Committee for Girl Scouts USA and Camp Fire USA, the organization that created those awards.
Those awards are represented by two medals that are designed with the adult leader in mind. The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Medal recognizes any adult who helps Catholic youth develop their spiritual lives through Girl Scouts of USA and Camp Fire USA. The St. Anne Medal is awarded by the diocese to adults who model the highest ideals for young people, contributing to girls’ spiritual development and "further Catholic adult leadership in youth ministry through these national youth-serving organizations," according to the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry website, www.nfcym.org.
"I am very honored," said Nafus about receiving the medal. "I just found out three days ago. I did not have any idea, but my son is getting another award, so it is also special because now I get to get an award with him."
Her son, Samuel Nafus, from the 4030 unit, received his Parvuli Dei emblem at the ceremony.
"My name is Elizabeth Ann and to be receiving the Elizabeth Ann Seaton award makes it even more special," said Nafus.
Likewise, Howerton said she was honored and excited to receive the award. She said that she thinks she made points with her troop, because they have been awarded with all the levels of the Catholic Religious recognitions.
"With Girl Scouts we are trying to build girls… The motto is build girls with courage character and confidence to make the world a better place, and I think their Catholic identity fits right in with that motto," Howerton said.
"I am very touched by it," Evans said. "I do Girl Gcouts not to receive awards –it’s because I enjoyed it so much and this is just the icing on the cake. It’s a wonderful commitment. It gives you a good feeling inside that it is very nice to be involved."
Some of the women were unable to attend the ceremony because they were distributing Girl Scout cookies, which arrived that day.
The ceremony at the Cathedral of the Madeleine started with an opening prayer and welcome by Deacon Harschel Hester, chairman of Trappers Trails Catholic Committee.
The flag ceremony then took place. The Posting of the Colors and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Ryan Madsen of Unit 4030 from Saint Olaf Parish, who received the Parvuli Dei emblem.
The Girl Scout Promise was recited by Caroline Bouley of Unit 719, also from St. Olaf, who received the Family of God Religious Emblem and by Ciarra Nafus, Eleanor Bouley and Rachel Bouley from the same troop.
The Boy Scout oath was recited by Ian Thompson and Kendrick Nafus of Unit 4030 from Saint Olaf, who received the God and Me Religious Emblem. Carter Titmus, also of Unit 4030, recited the Cub Scout oath.
"You have the privilege of service and you boys and girls are a very good example," said the Most Reverend John C. Wester, bishop of Salt Lake City, who celebrated the Mass and presented the awards.
A complete list of scouts who received awards during the ceremony follows.
UNIT 352, Cathedral of The Madeleine Parish
Sophia Dodge, ILMF
Maria Steenburg, ILMF
UNIT 2406, Saint John The Baptist Parish
Elisabeth Penderghast, FoG
Crystal Weaver, FoG
Katelyn Woods, FoG
UNIT 719, Saint Olaf Parish
Caroline Bouley, FoG
UNIT 1041, Saint Thomas More Parish
Madison Arriza, ILMF
Lindsay Coleman, ILMF
Emily Graham, ILMF
Bailey Vogel, ILMF
UNIT 530, Saint Vincent de Pau Parish
lJenna Granja, ILMF
Domineque Panas, ILMF
UNOIT 4966, Blessed Sacrament Parish
Jaidan Malloy, LoC
Nick Sands, LoC
Kyle Bast, P.D.
UNIT 282, Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish
Prescott Herzog, LoC
UNIT 1757, Saint George Parish
Shane Mathis, P.D.
UNIT 293, Saint James Parish
Kyle Crezee, LoC
Jerimee Hinojosa, LoC
Riley Crezee, P.D.
Marc Hernandez, P.D.
UNIT 4030
David Bouley, LoC
Van Pierce Erickson, LoC
Riley Hale, LoC
Domanic Jacketta, LoC
Salvatore Mele, LoC
Quinton Robertson, LoC
Demetrio Foti, P.D.
Paris Garner, P.D.
Ryan Madsen, P.D.
Samule Nafus, P.D.
Parker Weiss, P.D.
Carter Titmus, God and Me
UNITS 4682 and 4966, Saint Thomas More Parish
Kel Vogel, LoC
Jared Lester, P.D.
Liam Vogel, P.D.
UNIT 3617, Saint Vincent de Paul Parish
Anthony Gervasini, LoC
UNITS 1966, 4444 and 4500, Saint John the Baptist Parish
Thomas Fortune, LoC
Colson Horning, LoC
Keegan Jonas, LoC
John Kaiser, LoC
Dominis Lewis, LoC
Wyatt Lewis, LoC
Parker Mattingley, LoC
Christian Smith, LoC
Thomas Kasanicky, LoC/P.D.
Alexander Beeler, P.D.
David Branner, AAD
Michale Branner, AAD
Ian Dinehart, AAD
Sean Edwards, AAD
Michael Greenwald, AAD
Matthew Vollmer, AAD
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