Canine Christmas
AIDS exhibit
Cold weather arrives
Tipp City Girl Scout earns national honor
Elizabeth Okrutny's project for police department made her one of 12 named a Young Woman of Distinction.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
TIPP CITY — Elizabeth Okrutny's Girl Scout project put a new face on her hometown police department's investigations.
Now, it's putting her face in the national spotlight.
Extras
Her project, named "A Thousand Words," filled the Tipp City Police Department's need for a computerized composite drawing system. Okrutny spent 85 hours evaluating systems and recommended an affordable program. Then she learned the program, developed training materials and trained Tipp City officers.
Okrutny's project won her a 2006 scouting Gold Award — the highest a Girl Scout aged 14 to 18 can attain — and helped her become one of 12 girls across the country to win the 2007 Girl Scout National Young Woman of Distinction honor.
The daughter of Jeff and Teri Okrutny, Elizabeth was valedictorian of the 2006 Tippecanoe High School class and just completed her first year at Ohio Northern University. She is studying forensic biology and art with hopes of working in law enforcement in facial reconstruction and age progression.
"It hasn't really sunk in all that much. I have been so busy," Okrutny said Friday. "I am excited to get to meet all of these girls who have done all of these great projects."
The projects will be recognized June 12 in Washington, D.C.
Police Chief Tom Davidson said officers found Okrutny easy to work with and thorough. "It is not something we use every day, but it is something that is beneficial for us," Davidson said.
Okrutny was recognized in high school for athletics, art, music and academics. She has been active in more than 30 organizations, including Children of the American Revolution, where she served as state president.
"She is truly an extraordinary young leader and we can't wait to see what kind of great things she will accomplish in the future," said Mary G. Dietz, senior director of marketing and communications for the Girl Scouts of Buckeye Trails Council in Dayton.
Contact this reporter at (937) 335-4357 or
nbowman@DaytonDailyNews.com.
