Leading members of the Guide Association in Wiltshire applauded the dedication of 19-year-old Jess Kelly as she was presented with the movement's top honour, the Queen's Guide Award.
Jess, a member of Wootton Bassett Ranger Unit, is also a Guider with the 1st Lyneham Brownies and 1st Lyneham Guides.
She is a former pupil of Wootton Bassett School and is now at De Montfort University, Bedford, studying adventure recreation.
Exhibits at the presentation ceremony at the Lyneham Guide Hall illustrated her steady progress since she embarked on the Queen's Guide programme in December 1999.
The many challenging stages that Jess completed ranged from discovery to enterprise and featured service in Guiding, in the home, overseas, and as a citizen.
Her cherished camp blanket is a catalogue of worldwide Guiding and Scouting, with more than 1,000 badges, including many acquired at international jamborees. Jess received her award from County Commissioner Sue Duncan. A celebratory buffet included a cake decorated with the Queen's Guide emblem.
Guiding is a family tradition, and Jess's mother Jan Kelly is the adviser for members with disabilities.
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