Girl Scouts Louisiana East will host its annual Believe in Girls Event at Nicholls State University.

The Believe in Girls Event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is open to all girls K-12. 

Pre-registration for the event will be $10 per girl. Registration at the door will be $15 per girl. There is no fee for adults. The pre-registration deadline is Monday at 9 a.m.

The event will hold a fireside chat at 9 a.m. 

The panelists will share how they got into their industry and the audience will be able to ask questions. The six panelists are:

•  Kimberly Cook-Nelson, Energy Chief Nuclear Officer
• Dr. Melissa Clay, Nicholls State University Nursing Department
• Calcea Johnson, Gold Award Girl Scout
• Lt. Valerie Martinez-Jordan, Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Officer
• Jessica Sharon, Pelican State Credit Union
• Serena Boettcher, Louisiana Department of Revenue

Dr. Melissa Clay, an assistant professor of nursing, believes that this fireside chat will allow girls to see “professional women who have navigated diverse career paths” and helps them “envision what’s possible for themselves.”

“As a professional woman, I’ve encountered challenges and milestones that shaped my career. Sharing these experiences with Girl Scouts is not only an opportunity to give back but also to inspire the next generation to pursue their goals with confidence and resilience,” Dr. Clay said.

Girl Experience Manager for Girls Scouts Louisiana East Kevin Shipp said that the event has now been happening for 10 years. It is a great opportunity that “allows girls to see what a higher education campus looks like and what happens,” Shipp said.

During the event, 30 to 40 minute classroom presentations will be held and hands-on table activities for the girls to participate in. A helicopter landing by the U.S. Coast Guard and a K-9 demo by Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will also be done.

The event hosts many partnered organizations such as NASA, Louisiana of Wildlife and Fisheries, Audubon Aquarium Rescue, and Heart N Hands. Some Nicholls campus organizations will also be present such as Nicholls e-Sports, Nicholls Geomatics, and Nicholls State University tours. 

If girls want to get involved in Girl Scouts Louisiana East you can do so by registering for this event. For further involvement, girls will be contacted after the event through your registration details provided. Or you can always visit https://www.gsle.org/.