News Detail

Meredith Burke '15 Named National "Scout of the Year"

Meredith Burke, a 2015 graduate of The Hockaday School and member of Girl Scout Troop 603, has been named National Scout of the Year by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).  Meredith was sponsored by the VFW Department of Texas and VFW Post 3530 in Richardson, Texas. 
 
Established in 2001, the Scout of the Year competition rewards Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts who display standout citizenship, patriotism and love of country.  In 2011, Girl Scout Gold Award recipients became eligible to compete for the VFW Scout of the Year Scholarship, along with Boy Scouts who have received the Eagle Scout Award, Venturing Scouts who received the Summit Award or Sea Scouts who received the Quartermaster Award.  Significantly, 2015 marks the first time in VFW history that a Girl Scout has received the First Place National Award and $5,000 college scholarship.  “Meredith, through her many accomplishments and exceptional character, rose above her peers in exemplifying the qualities of the rank and clearly distinguished herself as this year’s VFW Scout of the Year winner,” said Kevin C. Jones, Assistant Adjutant  General of the VFW. 
 
Meredith has been involved in Scouting since First Grade Brownies, and earned her Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards.  For her Gold Award, Meredith spearheaded multi-year efforts to preserve the endangered Blackland Prairie ecosystem in North Texas, and received a grant from Disney that enabled her to lead a team in replanting native Texas grasses and wildflowers.  As a result of her efforts, Meredith was awarded the President’s Environmental Youth Certificate by President Obama.  She was named the 2014 Girl Scouts Young Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas for her outstanding service to the Dallas community, and was also honored before the Texas House of Representatives with a Resolution honoring Girl Scouts in the State of Texas.  She also received the 2015 Future Inspiring Woman of the Southwest by the Southwest Jewish Congress, and is a four time Gold Award recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award for participating in 250+ hours of community service each year. 
 
In addition to scouting activities, Meredith has been devoted to honoring veterans for their service.  She is the past President of the David Pendleton Society of the Children of the American Revolution, and an annual speaker at Wreaths Across America wreath-laying events at the DFW National Cemetery in Dallas. 
   
 An incoming freshman at Southern Methodist University, Meredith is seeking a double degree in Mechanical Engineering and Studio Art.  She is a member of the University Honors Program, a SMU Hunt Leadership Scholar and plays the piccolo in the SMU Mustang Band.  Meredith will also be the Featured Artist at the State Fair of Texas on October 4 and 18 where she will be demonstrating her sculpting techniques to the public.  “I am thrilled and honored to be recognized by the VFW, an organization which contributes meaningfully to the lives of veterans and Scouts everywhere,” said Meredith Burke.  “This scholarship will greatly assist me in my future educational endeavors, and I am so grateful to the VFW for sponsoring this outstanding program.”  
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