70 Ranger Guides Invested into the No. 23 Ranger Guides Unit Girl Guides Association of Saint

Seventy young ladies were formally invested last Friday, March 6,2026 at the annual Investiture, Renewal and Awards ceremony of the No. 23 Ranger Guides Unit. The group of 70 are now members of the senior section of the Girl Guides Association of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

The ceremony, held at the Arnos Vale Playing Field, began at 5:00 p.m. and marked an important milestone for many young ladies as they officially committed themselves to the values and principles of Guiding, a Girl Guides release states.

Some 135 Ranger Guides were present at Friday’s ceremony with 60 renewing their promise and commitment to community service.

Over the past year, the Ranger Guides of the No. 23 Ranger Guides Unit collectively contributed 2,930 hours of community service toward the development of St Vincent and the Grenadines. Some of the remarkable community work included painting public spaces, participating in clean-up campaigns, volunteering at charity events, assisting at preschools and geriatric centres, improving school facilities, and carrying out several beautification projects.

The ceremony also provided an opportunity to recognise several outstanding Rangers for their dedication, perseverance, and leadership. The awards focused on resilience, attendance, community service hours, and the achievement of national milestones.

Deanna McDowall, who a few months ago, was involved in a vehicular accident that adversely affected her mobility, was presented with the Resilience Award.

“Despite these challenges, she demonstrated outstanding strength, determination, and perseverance,” the Association’s release notes.

“ Through difficulty, she continued to attend Ranger meetings and pushed forward with a positive spirit.”

The Flaming Legacy Award was presented to Lau Browne for achieving a national record in the 100 meters hurdles.

“ As a national record holder, Lau has not only made a lasting impact on her

Ranger Unit but also contributed significantly to sports development in her country, leaving a legacy that will continue to inspire others.”

The Flaming Leadership Awards were presented to Mariah Matthews and Amara Sterling for their leadership over the past year as chairperson and deputy chairperson of the No. 23 Ranger Guides Unit.

“Both young ladies consistently led by example, encouraged teamwork, and supported their fellow Rangers while upholding the principles and values of Guiding.”

For perfect attendance, the following Rangers were recognised in an effort to highlight the value of consistency and commitment:

Year 1: Angel Gill

Year 2: Dabria Alexander

Year 3: Kalyssa Dyer

Also, the following Ranger Guides were recognised for committing the highest number of community service hours during the period September, 2025 to February 2026:

Year 1: Nareini Chandler – 43 hours 45 minutes; Year 2: Athalia Charles – 392 hours; Year 3: Amara Sterling – 109 hours 30 minutes.

The newly invested Ranger Guides are now formally part of the global sisterhood of 11.2 million Girl

Guides and Girl Scouts across 153 countries worldwide and will work to ensure that guiding standards are maintained while developing their fullest potential and serving their communities, the Girl Guides Association states in its release.

Pictures taken by: Enrico De Shong Article written by: Camella Harry, Publications Officer