Girl Scout Junior wins First Place Trophy at National Gem and Mineral Show

Girl Scout sisters Brynleigh and Breena Elliott of Troop 61686 in Ventura first

learned about gem and mineral shows through Girl Scouts of California's Central Coast, which provides the opportunity to earn a council's own badge called, "Rock Out!" 

The American Federation of Mineralogical Societies also offers a merit badge program called, "Future Rockhounds of America" which is available through local gem and mineral societies nationwide. 

Both girls earned their first rockhound badge called "Showmanship" through this competition. They've even had the opportunity to meet fellow like-minded Girl Scouts from neighboring service units at their monthly "Pebble Pups" meetings.

The girls recently entered a competitive display case into a gem and mineral show hosted by the Ventura Gem and Mineral Society. The event was the California Federation of Mineralogical Society's annual state show and the American Federation of Mineralogical Society's annual national show.

Brynleigh and Breena also gained knowledge about competitive gem and mineral displays after attending the Oxnard Gem and Mineral Society's annual show last Fall, after which they joined monthly junior rockhound meetings called Pebble Pups.

With encouragement from their Pebble Pups' mentor Louisa Carey (former Girl Scout Co-Leader), the girls entered in the Junior Exhibitor Group with an Open Division Project titled "My First Rock Collection." Their cases demonstrated many hours and days worth of work to display several months of collecting. 

The displays were judged using a point system which scored them on the following categories: labeling, showmanship, quality, and workmanship.

Brynleigh's case won first place for her exhibitor group, division and class, which earned her a trophy from the California Federation and another from the American Federation. Younger sister, Breena plans to win next year, and we think both these girls are real "gems"!