MADISON – Ambitious teenagers in Girl Scout Troop 10708 have accepted responsibility to lead a new troop of kindergartners.

“This fall, I’ll have a troop of 10 ninth-graders from Bob Jones and James Clemens. They have chosen to commit to leading a brand new troop of kindergarteners for four years,” Troop Leader Beth Crocker said.

“These teen girls will plan the meetings and run the show for these very lucky little girls. It will be a wonderful learning experience for my high schoolers, too,” Crocker said.

The teen Scouts are freshmen: Katie Crocker, Lilly Lungrin, Lyla Mackrell and Sarah Rydbom from Bob Jones High School; and Brooklyn Colquett, Anna Dasher, Leah Jump, Elizabeth Litavec, Maribeth Williams and Natalie Zesinger from James Clemens High School.

“As I went through the college application process with my son Andrew, I saw how much colleges stress leadership and volunteerism,” Beth Crocker said. “I thought it would be great to start a leadership option that was a consistent four-year commitment.”

“Girl Scout troops are generally ‘girl led.’ Heather Mackrell and I will be the official leaders for this troop, but each girl has already chosen different tasks to be in charge of,” Crocker said. “They will teach the badges and accompany the little girls to various events throughout the year.”

“When all the girls in our troop heard the idea, we all thought it was great,” Bob Jones student Lyla MacKrell said. “We wanted to be a part of leading the younger troop. “It will be a great opportunity to build my leadership skills, and it will just be an amazing experience.”

Along with Scouting, Lyla was involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student 2 Student, Junior National Honor Society and North Alabama Soccer Coalition at Discovery Middle School. She swims for Madison Swimming Association, Bob Jones Swim and Dive Team; she helps to coach summer swim for Madison Dolphins.

Lyla has received the Bronze and Silver awards in Girl Scouts, along with Presidential Volunteer Service Award the past two years.

With the kindergarten troop, Lyla hopes “to learn how to be more patient, have better time management and be a better problem solver. The kindergartners will learn what it means to be a Girl Scout and how to help in the community and be there for others.”

Lyla’s hobbies include ‘hanging out’ with friends, soccer, swimming and running.

Maribeth Williams said, “We all fell in love with leading a younger troop. I will learn how to work with younger kids, be more patient and plan ahead of time. They will learn how to be understanding of others and how powerful girls can be.”

Maribeth enjoys “a commitment to God, hanging with friends, getting to know other people and making new friends.”

At James Clemens, Maribeth is a member of Color Guard in band, National Junior Honor Society, Beta Club and FCA. “I have earned my Bronze Award and just completed my Silver Award,” Maribeth said.

Teen leader Natalie Zesinger said the troop “helps me gain leadership skills for the future and to help little kids have an experience that they will not forget. Even though it was my troop leader’s idea, I fully am invested and excited to lead a troop.”

“I will learn how to be a better leader and patient. I hope to teach the kindergartners new skills for their lives,” Natalie said. Natalie has earned Girl Scout Bronze and Silver awards.

Natalie participates in school theater and Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater. At Liberty, she was involved with Student 2 Student and yearbook staff. Her interests include any theatrical work, hanging out with friends and crocheting.