This year’s Greater LA Scouting Women of Eagle Scout Brunch, themed “Wind Under Their Wings,” will shine a spotlight on the significant role women play in supporting and nurturing Eagle Scouts on Saturday, May 4, at Almansor Court, located at 700 S. Almansor Street in Alhambra.
Local author Janet Webb is headlining the event, highlighting the significant contributions of women to scouting programs and youth development. Born and raised in San Marino, Webb attended local schools and graduated from the University of Southern California where she met her husband, John.
Upon graduation, she worked for the YMCA in Los Angeles and Orange County as a mentor and role model to underprivileged youth. She moved to Delaware where she worked for the city of Newark in the Recreation Department creating a Safety Town program. She took various leadership roles before returning to Southern California to raise her five children.
Webb was active in the National Charity San Marino Area Chapter, various PTAs, Little League Booster Clubs, San Marino Woman’s Club and other community organizations. She is also a past President of Trojan Affiliates.
Webb’s first published book is “Hawaiian Walking,” which portrays a young Hawaiian boy devastated by the death of his beloved grandfather who sets off walking alone. He experiences a flood of memories walking by areas where he shared time with his grandfather. He eventually discovers a sacred place which causes a spiritual healing.
Webb’s address is expected to focus on the importance of community engagement and the impact of scouting programs on youth development.
The brunch will feature a lineup of other distinguished guests and speakers, including Mark Wicke, who earned the rank of Eagle in Troop 359 participating in trips to Philmont and Sea Base. At San Marino High School, Wicke played varsity football, basketball, and baseball. He graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut majoring in Mechanical Engineering with High Honors. Upon graduating in 2020, he was commissioned as an officer and served on the USCG Cutter Hamilton in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. He is the current commander of the USCG Cutter Halibut based in Marino del Rey.
Local Boy Scouts from troops in the San Gabriel Valley will greet attendees during the reception and lead the pledge of allegiance, setting a patriotic tone for the gathering. Musical performances by Mimi Bernstein will add to the inspirational atmosphere of the event.
Bernstein is a sophomore at San Marino High School. She will sing two songs, “God Bless America” and “American Pie.” She is a chorister at the Grammy award winning Los Angeles Children’s Chorus and has performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic under Maestro Gustavo Dudamel. She will be accompanied on the piano by Dr. Jo Ann Haycraft.
The event’s organizing committee, led by Co-Chairmen Vicki Elliott and Judith Din, represents a diverse coalition of women dedicated to advancing scouting programs and promoting inclusivity. The brunch, priced at $85 per person, will include pre-lunch refreshments, mementos, and an Opportunity Drawing, with proceeds supporting the Boy Scouts of America.
For more information about the event, call Charissa Gonzales at Greater LA Scouting, (213) 718-7167, or visit https://greaterlascouting.org/.
Registration is open to the public.
