On Feb. 13, in the parish center at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Pearl City, Marianne Garcia received the Stars and Stripes Award, the highest honor of the American Heritage Girls (a group like the Girl Scouts but with a clear Christian mission). Here she reflects on her experience with this organization.
By Marianne Garcia
Special to the Herald
I used to believe that character and integrity meant being true to yourself, being “who you are.” However, through American Heritage Girls, I learned that true character means being true to the very best version of yourself. In other words, it is not about going with your gut feeling, or doing what you are most comfortable doing, but it is about doing things and making choices that make a difference in other people’s lives and draw you closer to God in the process.
You could say that my entire AHG experience has been learning how to do things I didn’t want to do. That does not mean service and leadership are dreary, boring and tortuous. And yes, oftentimes our gut feelings should be listened to. The trick is realizing when we are using our gut feelings to blind ourselves to opportunities to grow. When we deliberately decide to be servant leaders, we are compelled to make decisions that, for the sake of a greater cause, quell our worst traits, and bring out the best.
When I joined AHG, I was deathly afraid of people and of having conversations with strangers. Those who know me well know how hard it is sometimes for me to do something as simple as give someone a hug. Through AHG, I have been given many opportunities to serve my community, and reach out to those less fortunate. My perspective on my role in the community changed when I discovered that making a difference in the life of one person is worth more than any of my insecurities and fears. I learned how to talk to strangers, make eye contact and smile, how to communicate with leaders and girls alike, and how to accept criticism. As my responsibilities in the troop grew, so did the number of lessons I learned.
In 2014 and 2016, I took a training class for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, an international religious education program for children. It was so fun and rewarding that I wanted to adopt the program for my AHG Stars and Stripes award project, American Heritage Girls highest recognition. With the help and support of my AHG troop, I created a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program for St. John the Apostle and Evangelist Parish Preschool in Mililani. Through this process I was privileged to see children and parents alike coming to know, love and follow Jesus the Good Shepherd. I am so thankful for the opportunity to grow closer to God and to share my faith with others.
Most importantly, my entire AHG experience has given me many opportunities to learn humility. Despite all the mistakes I have made and learned from, I know I have a long way to go. However, through AHG’s supportive environment and high standards, I found the courage to do what I didn’t want to do, and I find myself all the more rewarded for it, literally and spiritually. The AHG program truly brought out the best in me, and for that, I will forever be grateful.
Marianne is a parishioner of St. John Vianney Parish in Kailua.