Cheri: Wherever Life Leads, Girl Scouts Is Home

August 07, 2026

Home isn't always a place. Sometimes, it's a community.

For Cheri, Girl Scouts has been a constant through every chapter of life. As a Girl Scout growing up in upstate New York, it was a place where she always felt like she belonged. Later, as her family moved from Oklahoma to North Dakota and eventually Nebraska, Girl Scouts became a way to help her daughters build friendships, grow in confidence, and feel at home wherever they landed.

When their family first arrived in Hastings, they spent three months living in a hotel while waiting for a permanent home. Even then, Girl Scouts was there. Cheri's daughter, Chyna, sold Girl Scout Cookies during the hotel's nightly reception, proving that Girl Scouts isn't defined by where you live, it's defined by the community you build.

As a troop leader, Cheri watched girls grow from kindergarteners into young women, guiding them through adventures, Highest Awards, travel opportunities, and years of unforgettable memories. Along the way, she watched her own daughters thrive, from Chyna earning her Gold Award to Piper discovering leadership through GSAG and earning a college scholarship.

Today, Cheri continues to serve as a member of the Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska Board of Directors, carrying forward her lifelong commitment to creating opportunities for girls to grow, lead, and belong.

"One of the things I treasure most is knowing many of these girls since kindergarten and watching them grow into remarkable young women. I have no doubt they will make a positive impact on the world."

That's the power of Girl Scouts. No matter where life leads, Girl Scouts creates a place to belong, lifelong friendships, and the confidence to grow into a leader who makes a difference.

100 years. Countless stories. One lasting legacy.