Members of Girl Scout Troop 15099 gather around Jennifer Wabnitz, to whom they presented a plaque of appreciation at their bridging ceremony on Sept. 3. Toni Miilbourne

SHEPHERDSTOWN — A special ceremony was held on Sept. 3 for the members of Girl Scout Troop 15099, as the scouts began the evening as Brownies and ended the evening as Junior Girl Scouts.

Dubbed a “bridging” ceremony, the girls, along with leaders Angelina Gray, Michele Ballard and Heather Gorman, prepared to participate in the solemn, traditional ceremony.

Prior to the ceremony, the girls gathered for the last time in what is referred to as their “Brownie Ring,” where, in a circle, they said the Girl Scout Pledge and Promise. Each girl then shared her favorite memory of being a Brownie Scout, some of which included visiting Lego Land, swimming, camping and other adventures they have participated in over their years as younger Scouts.

As each Scout was preparing to “fly up,” she slipped out of her Brownie vest, crossed a specially made “bridge” and received her Junior vest on the other side. The term “flying up,” Gray explained, originated when Brownie leaders used to be called Brown Owls.

When Brownie Girl Scouts moved up to the next level, their Brown Owl would give them one of her feathers so they could “fly up.” Brownie Wings were first used as a symbol of bridging in 1927 and are still a sign of bridging today, Gray shared. Each girl received Brownie wings and a ceremonial feather as she “flew up.”

The first act Troop 15099 did as Junior Girl Scouts was to recognize and honor a community member. The group invited Jennifer Wabnitz, former president of the Shepherdstown Community Club, to join in its celebration and presented her with a plaque in recognition of the multiple ways Wabnitz has helped the troop since its inception.

“We submitted the award to the council in Washington, D.C., where it was enthusiastically approved,” Gray said.

Gray recognized Wabnitz for her full support and service to the girls of the troop.

“From the very beginning, you have been there. We had our very first meeting in 2020 in the middle of a pandemic,” she said. “Jennifer also supported us through the (Shepherdstown) Community Club by hosting a holiday tea party, training our girls on tea etiquette and letting us work at the (Back Alley) Garden Tour and Tea these last three years.”

Gray also shared that Wabnitz had showed the girls how to test water for bacteria for part of their Brownie Wonders of Water Journey, adding that the girls went on to earn the Summit Pin, the highest award a Brownie can earn.

Gray also commented on the many hikes Wabnitz has taken the group on through Morgan’s Grove Park, pointing out different kinds of trees.

“You have been an incredible support to us, and we are extremely grateful to you for all you have done on your own and on behalf of the Shepherdstown Community Club,” Gray told Wabnitz as she presented her with a plaque.