Sibling scouts achieve high-ranking awards

Rachael Lambin and her brother John-Henry Lambin of Carson Valley both have earned achievements in scouts. Rachael, 15 earned her Girl Scout Gold Award for writing and illustrating a children's book. John-Henry, 13, earned his Boy Scout Eagle rank for leading a project to create public service announcements on disabilities.

On a snowy afternoon in December, Rachael and John-Henry celebrated their scouting achievements with a joint ceremony at the Genoa Lake Golf Club. It was a family affair with older brother Jeff as master of ceremonies. The large room held all of Rachael and John-Henry's accomplishments of more than 10 years of scouting.

Rachael's award was for writing and illustrating the children's book "Clouds If You Can See What I Breathe." The book is about what it's like to have asthma and how to live with it. The book is illustrated with photos of the Carson Valley which were all done by Rachael. Her book was published by OCG Creative in Reno, and is sold at various bookstores with all proceeds benefiting the American Lung Association's support in helping educate youth about asthma.

Rachael started "Kids Helping Kids with Asthma," a project educating youth about the seriousness of asthma through community fairs and events. She and her brothers are all trained instructors for Teens Against Tobacco Usage. She was invited to Washington, D.C., by Allergy Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics, and with John-Henry, went before the House of Representatives with Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald CA-D and helped to present HR2023, a bill that would allow youth to carry life-saving medications with them to school. Rachael has earned several accolades; Prudential Spirit of the Community Award, The Congressional Award, Angels in Action, Build A Bear "Huggable Heroes," Campbell's Lend a Hand, Sports Illustrated "All Star Teen," Governors Point of Light, and her most recent, Do Something BRICK Award for which she will be traveling to New York City in April to attend a gala event. Last year, Bill Clinton was the speaker. Articles about Rachael have been published in the national magazines 4-H National and Positive Thinking Magazine, a publication from Guideposts.

Rachael has been in Girl Scouts since she was 6, from Daisies to Seniors. She donated cookies to the Carson Valley Community Food Closet and fire stations, and was consistently the top seller. Rachael earned 100s of badges and over 50 badges as a Cadette and Senior rank. She is a council delegate and is actively working on a project to help benefit Girl Scouts of America. Rachael is home schooled but attends Western Nevada Community College in Carson City as well as Laurel Springs School in Ojai, Ca. She is a student ambassador for WNCC, 4-H state ambassador, and is active in theater and voice. She belongs to the Hilltop Community Church youth group. Her newest project is HOPE (Helping Obese People through Education). She loves art and working out at the gym. She has lost more than 70 pounds and works to help teach this to other young people. Rachael plans to continue attending WNCC, along with her high school classes, and then transfer to University of Nevada, Reno, and pursue a career in the arts.

John-Henry, 13 earned his Boy Scout Eagle rank for leading a project involving the writing and producing of public service announcements on asthma and dyslexia. John-Henry has both of these aliments and his goal in creating this project was to teach the community about what it's like to have these disabilities. The PSAs were written and produced by his Boy Scout troop 495 of Gardnerville with his leadership and direction.

John-Henry, like his sister, has been very active with the American Lung Association in Reno. He helped to create asthma camps "Easy Breezy" for kids that could not normally attend a camp because of their disabilities. He has appeared on the news on channel 8 to promote the camps each year and hosts a team for the annual "Blow the Whistle on Asthma" campaign.

John-Henry got involved in scouting first as a Tiger Cub Scout, earned every award in Cub Scouts including his Arrow of Light, the highest award. He has earned over 110 merit badges.

John-Henry is home schooled, attends Laurel Springs School and is taking classes at WNCC. He started a project "Kids Extreme," that focuses on helping disabled youth follow their dreams of participating in sports. In fact, sports have played a huge role in John-Henry's education by helping his asthma as well as his dyslexia. This 3-year-old project has earned him accolades, starting with the 2005 Prudential Spirit of the Community Award, Tiger Woods Start Something, Congressional Award, YSA Youth Venturer, Proclamation from the Town of Minden and more. John-Henry was on the Northern Nevada Junior Golf Association as well as the KSEF Ski Team and works with a personal strength trainer. He is active in not only Boy Scouts but is also on the 4-H Shooting Sports team. He loves Alpine and Nordic skiing, rock climbing, biking, water sports, golf, tennis and riding his motorbike. When he isn't active in sports he is studying science and technology. His goal is to become an aeronautical engineer.

John-Henry was on the Disney Channel as Gardnerville's first "Check this kid out" segment and his love for sports and where he lives. An article about him has been published in "Sports Illustrated" as well as other national magazines.

Both Rachael and John-Henry are very active on the youth board for the new Boys and Girls Club of Carson Valley and have contributed $5,000 to its formation, along with their brother Jeff and their parents.