NATCHEZ &8212; Four award winning

members of Girl Scout Troop 224 are living up to the Girl Scout creed while having fun along the way.

Kierra Johnson, 12, Niclese Garrett, 15, Sequetta Sewell, 14, and Keundra Washington, 13, are recognized in today&8217;s issue of USA Weekend for their efforts in volunteer projects for their volunteer work on Make a Difference Day in October.

The four girls are involved in several volunteer programs in the area and are en route to receiving the highest Girl Scout honor of gold.

&8220;This is so wonderful, the girls just got out and worked together and brought attention to certain things,&8221; said troop leader and Keundra&8217;s mother, Sandra Washington. &8220;They just picked the things they loved to do, or things that proved a point, and did them.&8221;

The girls each researched a topic, which they chose from a list, and created a visual presentation. The girls said they just enjoyed working together to get positive things done.

&8220;I researched and did a lot of hard work to find things out on how to take care of an infant and gave a mini-workshop,&8221; Kierra said.

&8220;I have a little sister and started looking up how to take care of infants and decided that&8217;s what I wanted to do.&8221;

Assistant troop leader Shamieka Thomas said she also thought the projects were beneficial to the girls.

&8220;Kierra would ask me how to do certain things dealing with child care, and I&8217;m a nurse so I had all the books,&8221; Thomas said. &8220;She ended up winning first place in the 4-H competition at Hinds (Community College) in the visual presentation category for her project and even started helping me around the house.&8221;

Keundra Washington chose child obesity and said the problem was becoming very noticeable. She will present her project at the 4-H youth development day later in April.

&8220;I felt this would be a good topic because childhood obesity is on the rise,&8221; Keundra said. &8220;I&8217;ve learned you shouldn&8217;t eat things just because they look good.&8221;

The girls completed the projects for the 4-H club and then used them for Girl Scout competitions.

Hair care was the topic Niclese chose after looking at the list of available topics offered by the 4-H club.

&8220;I love to do hair and had to learn how to do my own hair better,&8221; Niclese said. &8220;I found out not everyone has the proper things to take care of their hair like they should.&8221;

Suquetta chose pet and animal care after seeing neglect first hand.

&8220;My uncle had a dog named Lucky that was a show dog,&8221;

Suqetta said. &8220;After the dog got some awards, my uncle stopped grooming and taking care of him properly and he died.&8221;

Washington said every child deserves parental guidance and a little help to get to places they want to go.

&8220;Its fun doing these things and the children love it,&8221; said Washington. &8220;I got ahead because others helped me and I want these girls to

take what they know and help somebody else.&8221;

The girls in Troop 224 have learned a lot and taught people a lot through determination and living through the Girl Scout code, Washington said.

&8220;These girls are honor roll students and very active in the church and school functions,&8221;

Washington said. &8220;I want these girls to be determined in what they

do and just get out and do it.&8221;

The girls have done these projects starting on a local level, moving to a state level and now have been nationally recognized for their efforts.

Today&8217;s issue of USA Weekend &8212; found inside The Democrat &8212; will list the girls among local honorees being saluted for their volunteer projects performed on the 15th Make a Difference Day, held Oct. 22, 2005.