GABRIELLE Johns has achieved the Queen's Guide Award - the top award for Rangers in Girl Guiding New Zealand and was recently presented the award at a ceremony at Government House in Auckland. The ceremony was the culmination of five years of challenges, hard work, lots of fun and gaining new skills.
Gabrielle is the daughter of Cliff and Janice Johns and grew up on a Midhirst dairy farm along with her two sisters and one brother.
She attended Midhirst Primary School, where she earned the cup for top student in her final year, and then Stratford High School before moving to Auckland this year for further studies.
Gabrielle had to be focussed and dedicated to complete this award and along the way gained time managment skills, made many new friends and relished the challenges that were oart of the Ranger programme. She also assisted as a Ranger Leader in the Stratford Guide Unit for two years.
Gabrielle still managed to work on her parent's farm, play netball, take part in church and youth group activities and keep up with all her schoolwork, gaining two firsts and an academic cup in her final year at Stratford High School.
Visiting Government House and meeting the Govenor-General and Susan Satyanand was an exciting occasion for Gabrielle, her parents and the other Rangers from around New Zealand who received their awards at the same function.
All the young women had to write about the most enjoyable part of completing their award, what challenges they faced and what they gained from undertaing this award and this was included in a commemorative booklet.
The staff at Government House looked after the families very well and provided morning tea, with an opportunity to chat and stroll in the grounds following the presentations. Gabrielle would like to thank her first Ranger Leader Jan Westfield, current Ranger Leader Olwyn Duthie, her parents, her friends and the other girls in the Stratford Ranger Unit for all their help and encouragement towrds the award.
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