Girl Scouts create special tree for fellow scout

Participating local scouts include Brooklynn Vincent, Tayler Matthews, Emily Coat, Karissa Walker, Amiya Feezell, Beth Plunkett, Taityn Charles, Kaitlynn Vincent, Katlyn Clark, Kelsey Dipman, Kaylan Bryant, Marissa Matthews, JoDanna Gapan, Sierra Ponzini, Teagan Charles, Lani Coonrod, Jadeann Highley, Hallie Short, Morgan Smith, Makana Wilde, Reagan Johnson, Serenity Wright, Stacy Pennington, Dacey Turner and Sydine Rains.

Some of the Girl Scout troops in Nevada wanted to do something special for Audrey Gustafsonm who is an 8-year-old Brownie from Webb City, Mo. Audrey was diagnosed in May with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. She has spent the last 6 months at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., and was recently released to spend the holidays at home. She will continue to visit the hospital for screenings every other week for the foreseeable future, but currently her doctors see major signs of improvement. She also has two sisters at home who are a Daisy and a Junior Scout. Local scouts bought a small Christmas tree and some ornaments. On the ornaments, each painted a personal design. Then, the ornaments were hung on the tree. A troop leader said, "we wanted Audrey to know that we Girls Scouts in Nevada, Mo., haven't forgotten about her," in keeping with the group's motto, "A Girl Scout is a sister to every Girl Scout."

Scouts and leaders with local troops hope Audrey enjoys her Christmas tree for many years to come.