Community: Girl Scout to follow father’s footsteps in parade

Bea Breckheimer is carrying on a family tradition, literally.

The 17-year-old is one of 50 Girl Scouts representing Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles who will carry the banners announcing the award-winning floats in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day.

This is the 30th group of Gold Award Girl Scouts to be a part of the Tournament Troop, which also consists of Eagle Scouts from the San Gabriel Valley Council. The Gold Award is the highest award in Girl Scouts earned by girls who lead projects that address community or global issues.

Bea’s father, Eric Breckheimer, had earned the rank of Eagle Scout and was a member of the Tournament Troop when he was a youth.

Bea, who lives in La Crescenta and is a senior at Crescenta Valley High School, is a member of Girl Scout Troop 8441. The most exciting part about marching in the Tournament Troop, she said, is that it sums up all her years in Scouting.

For her Gold Award project, she held a drive to collect hygiene items for the homeless.

Another Crescenta Valley High senior marching with the Tournament Troop is Catherine Giese, 17, of La Crescenta. A member of Troop 7161, Catherine collected professional clothing and coordinated interview workshops to help parents at a homeless shelter looking for jobs.

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JOYCE RUDOLPH can be contacted at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.