By By Matthew Nascone
The Girl Scouts of Troop 491 were given a special honor during this year's GMAC Bowl in Mobile. The Atmore troop sent two of its girls to the Greer's Food Tiger Parade Jan. 6 and three girls to the game Jan. 7.
"I know these girls certainly enjoyed being a part of that experience," Troop 491 leader Suzanne Barnett said. "And the girls were smiling the entire time."
Emily Lambert and Molly Barnett held the lead banner in the parade Saturday and they even made it onto ESPN.
"Our girls were having photos taken with everyone there and the parade director came over and said to us 'You know that was ESPN who just took your picture?' and the girls all got wide eyed," Suzanne Barnett said.
Troop 491 led the parade from the civic center downtown through the mile and a half parade route to Fort Condi and Barnett said the trip was enjoyable for all involved.
As the Southern Miss Golden Eagles dismantled the Ohio Bobcats, three members of Troop 491 were in the stands with their "special men." An invitation to each of the Girl Scout troops in the Deep South Council was extended by GMAC.
Three other troops showed up at the parade Saturday and each Girl Scout was given a ticket for herself and one other person. The girls brought either their father or grandfather.
"It was a very neat experience for the girls," Suzanne Barnett said. "And they had a blast. They also had an autograph session with America's Junior Miss, Kentucky's Taylor Phillips. The Grand Marshall of the parade was 1989 Heisman Trophy winner, Houston quarterback Andre Ware.