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Press Release: Local Girl Scout Awarded Bronze Cross Lifesaving Award
MEDIA CONTACT:
Alora Jones, Public Relations Manager
Girl Scouts River Valleys
alora.jones@girlscoutsrv.org
800-845-0787
May 02, 2024
Ilona Delaney Has Become the First Indigenous Girl Scout in Council History to Achieve the Rare Award
ST. PAUL, MN – Senior Girl Scout Ilona Delaney (Miskwaa’Benaisi’Kwe, Mikanaak’Ikwe) was honored yesterday for heroically risking her own life to save her mother and grandmother from drowning during a family boating trip last summer.
The Bronze Cross is one of the highest honors that Girl Scouts of the USA can bestow, and is one of two medals youth can be awarded for their efforts related to saving a life. The Bronze Cross is presented when a Girl Scout has shown special heroism or has faced extraordinary risk of their own life to save another’s. Ilona is the first Indigenous Girl Scout in council history to achieve this honor.
“My mom and grandma are my only family and I couldn’t believe I was watching them drowning right in front of me,” Delaney shared. “Even though I’m scared of lakes and fish, I jumped in, we formed a human chain, and I swam against the wind and waves in choppy water to get us back to safety. I will forever be changed by this, and I hope to educate others on what to do in this exact situation.”
In a special ceremony on Sunday, April 29, Ilona was presented with her Bronze Cross award by Girl Scouts River Valleys COO, Lynnea Atlas.
“Ilona has proven herself to be a testament to the highest principles in Girl Scouting,” said Atlas. “We are deeply honored for the opportunity to present her with this well-deserved award alongside her naming and feathering ceremonies.”
Next up for Ilona includes swim trials with Team USA this summer, working away at her Gold Award project aimed at increasing swim literacy, and continuing to teach water safety and swim lessons to local youth—with a focus on marginalized youth who face the highest rates of drowning.
About Girl Scouts River Valleys
Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys’ work is supported by 6,300 volunteers who deliver the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to nearly 17,200 girls in southern Minnesota, western Wisconsin, and one county in Iowa. Girl Scouts River Valleys is one of 111 Girl Scout councils that make up the national Girl Scout Movement, sharing the mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.
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