Lauren Bilbo, 17, daughter of Matt and Lisa Bilbo of West Lake Hills, recently earned the Gold Award, the highest Girl Scout honor. She created video tutorials to introduce the electronic resources available to patrons of the Westbank Community Library. Members can find tutorials on the library's website for language learning software, online reference books, audio books and e-books. Bilbo is a senior at Westlake High School and a member of Troop 447.
Henry Benschoter, 16, son of Maureen and Brian Benschoter of Austin, led more than 30 volunteers in rebuilding baseball dugouts and refurbishing the infield at the Burke Center for Youth's Pathfinder Ranch in Driftwood. Benschoter is a sophomore at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy and a member of Troop 555, chartered by Abiding Love Lutheran Church.
Walker M. Payne, 15, son of Rosemary and Martin Payne of Austin, built and installed seven benches in the outdoor amphitheater at Westlake United Methodist Church. Payne is a sophomore at Westlake High School and a member of Troop 4, chartered by Austin Ridge Bible Church.
Jacob Alpern, 16, son of Ed and Debbie Alpern of Austin, held a sports equipment drive to collect donations for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Austin. More than 300 items and $300 were collected at four dropoff locations. Alpern is a member of Troop 162, chartered by Chisolm Trail District, Capitol Area Council, and a junior at Westwood High School.
Austin Community College students enrolled in credit classes, as well as ACC employees, will once again be able to obtain "green passes" for Capital Metro bus and rail service. Passes for the spring semester will be available beginning Jan. 2 and will be valid through May 28.
The passes are funded by a student sustainability fee of $1 per credit hour and by employee parking permit fees. Credit students, faculty members and staff members can obtain passes and use them at no additional charge.
Bus riders are required to swipe their passes in the fare box and show ACC identification while boarding. Rail riders must insert passes into the ticket validator and show an ACC ID when prompted by fare inspectors. The college's agreement with Capital Metro runs through August, according to an ACC news release.