After more than 40 years as a Girl Scout leader, Mary Jane Padgett is stepping down.
Padgett, 71, recently announced her retirement as leader of Troop 176, which traces its roots to a troop that her mother helped found in 1945. Padgett announced her decision during a ceremony where three of her Scouts, Taylor Flumerfelt, Sommer Harvey and Megan Young, received Girl Scouting's highest honor, the Gold Award.
All three said they never would have reached their full potential as Scouts "without Mrs. Padgett's inspiration and unfailing assistance."
Harvey was the 2010 Durant High School valedictorian. Her mother, Missy, who served as assistant troop leader under Padgett, said Padgett inspired her daughter and hundreds of others.
"I believe she will have many crowns awaiting her in heaven as she has touched many young lives," she said.
Padgett said she plans to continue helping with the organization that she's been a part of for a total of more than 50 years, including a decade as a youngster in the Girl Scouts. She said she'll miss being troop leader.
"I've enjoyed working with the Girl Scouts," she said, adding, "You don't do anything by yourself. I had wonderful parents and a lot of good people who helped out."
Cheryl Kuck
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