Girl Scout Necklaus’ flag retirement box now stationed at City Hall

Clarion Top News

Wednesday, 06 October 2021 08:38

Selena Necklaus is working towards earning the Girl Scout Gold Award. Her project will focus on flag education and proper flag disposal. Selena’s project has two different components: Development of a lesson plan focusing on flag care, proper flag folding and disposal which was taught at the Scottsboro City after-school program “Club Wildcat” with the outcome of kids being able to verbalize flag facts, and be able to demonstrate proper flag folding technique. The other component is the construction of a flag retirement box that is placed in front of Scottsboro City Hall. The box also has educational brochures for the public.  When the box is full, former Scout Master, Gordon Hodges has agreed to collect the flags and give them proper disposal during flag retirement ceremony that occurs every year in June. 

“Earning the Girl Scout Gold Award is truly a remarkable achievement, and Selena Necklaus exemplifies leadership in all its forms,” said Karen Peterlin, chief executive officer of the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama. “She saw a need in her community and around the world and took action. Her extraordinary dedication, perseverance, and leadership is making the world a better place.”

“We should not wait until we accomplish our goals to be proud of ourselves. We should be proud of every step we take toward reaching that goal,” said Selena’s mother, Veronica Necklaus. “I am happy that she remained focus on completing this award that benefits our community and embraces the Girl Scout promise and law.”

“In choosing my project, my mother had suggested to create something that will mimic a teacher’s role, that is when we decided on creating a basic lesson plan, but I took it a step further in building the flag retirement box,” said Selena. “My troop has been involved in several flag retirement ceremonies and I thought it was a good addition to my project.  Our flag should be treated with respect when it is being displayed and when it is retired.”