Barrett Honors College student Celilia Deslaurier-Tate received top Girl Scout award for project on "Gunsmoke" actress and animal advocate Amanda Blake

Cecilia “Cee-Cee” Deslaurier-Tate, a student in Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University, has won the Girl Scouts Gold Award – the highest nationally-recognized leadership award a Girl Scout may earn - for combining her interests in the Old West, a star of the classic television series “Gunsmoke”, and animal welfare into an impactful project.

Deslaurier-Tate, a first-year student focusing on entrepreneurial leadership and theater at the West Valley campus, received the award for dedicating two years and more than 1,000 hours to creating a multi-pronged project with the main component being a 2.5- hour documentary about Amanda Blake, the actress who played the role of saloon proprietress Miss Kitty on “Gunsmoke”, and her accomplishments as an animal advocate and wildlife conservationist.

“Gunsmoke” was originally an American radio show that ran from 1952 to 1961, with the story centering on Dodge City, Kansas in the 1870s and the main character Marshal Matt Dillon. It was adapted for the small screen and ran on television in the United States from 1955 to 1975.

Along with her husband, Frank Gilbert, Blake raised cheetahs in captivity to contribute to efforts to save the species from extinction.

According to Deslaurier-Tate, Blake was a member of the Phoenix Zoo Auxiliary, the zoo’s volunteer fundraising organization, and sold cheetah cubs to the zoo for its cheetah breeding program.

In addition to the documentary, Deslaurier-Tate raised funds to cover the cost of installing a memorial paving stone at the Phoenix Zoo honoring Blake’s and Gilbert’s success as private individuals breeding cheetahs in captivity.

Deslaurier-Tate also worked with the Auxiliary to add Blake’s name to the Auxiliary Memorial Armada, creating another nod to Blake’s contributions to the zoo.

“I have traveled cross-country to film countless interviews with key individuals who either knew Amanda personally, know of her work, or are experts themselves in the field of animal welfare and conservation. I am so privileged to have met and become good friends with many of these special people who share my passion for keeping alive the spirit of Ms. Blake,” Deslaurier-Tate said.

Deslaurier-Tate is in the final stages of editing the documentary and plans to release the completed film online. 

Deslaurier-Tate also collaborated with the Arizona Animal Welfare League, the state's oldest and largest no-kill shelter, to create a plaque memorializing Blake for her role as a shelter co-founder and member of the organization’s Board of Incorporating Directors in 1971. The plaque is in the lobby of the organization’s Phoenix headquarters.

“Amanda's vision in creating the sanctuary was to move away from euthanizing animals, creating the first no-kill shelter, paving the way for a movement of no-kill shelters across the country,” Deslaurier-Tate said.

Deslaurier-Tate, who is from Massachusetts, said she first became interested in the Old West on a family trip to Tombstone, Ariz. when she was in the 7^th grade and after a family member introduced her to the “Gunsmoke” radio show.

Her interest peaked one night when, flipping through television channels, she came across an episode of “Gunsmoke” that centered on the character of Miss Kitty.

“What intrigued me most about the show, was the red-haired saloon owner by the name of Kitty Russell. It was not often one would find a strong, independent female character in a Western from the 1950s and 60s, especially in the role of a tough, yet elegant businesswoman,” said Deslaurier-Tate, who began to research the actress who inhabited the role. 

“I quickly became fascinated with her story. It was more interesting than any “Gunsmoke” episode I've ever seen! Not just her accomplishments within the animal world, but her love for all living creatures, and her genuine kindness and empathy for others. It was then, upon learning how she touched so many lives, that I decided I wanted to dedicate my Gold Award project in her honor,” Deslaurier-Tate said.

“Funny enough, I recently learned while watching some old tv interviews, that Ms. Blake herself was, at one time, a Girl Scout, and that she had planned on making a documentary to bring awareness to the plight of endangered animals. I guess, in a way, I am picking up where she left off, without even having realized it,” she added.

Deslaurier-Tate has taken her fascination with Blake and her “Gunsmoke” role even further by performing as a Miss Kitty tribute artist.

“I have always loved to act, and have enjoyed dressing up and portraying various characters for as long as I can remember. My love of theater, as well as for the character of Miss Kitty inspired me to become a tribute artist,” she said.

During the summer months, she appears as Miss Kitty, mingling with guests in the Golden Nugget Saloon at Wild West City in Stanhope, New Jersey. She also has appeared with the Goldfield Gunfighters at Goldfield Ghost Town in Apache Junction, Ariz. She hopes to connect with other “Gunsmoke” tribute artists for performances in other locales.

“My ultimate career goal extends beyond appearances and traveling shows, however. Studying both entrepreneurial leadership and theater, my dream is to establish my own Old West business, a place where “Gunsmoke” and Old West fans can gather and enjoy the nostalgia of this fascinating historical era,” she said.

“My main mission has truly become to keep alive both the character of Miss Kitty and the legacy of “Gunsmoke” as well, and this will serve as the way to truly allow Ms. Blake's memory to live on and be enjoyed for generations to come.”

More information about Deslaurier-Tate’s Gold Award project and Miss Kitty portrayals is at  https://www.facebook.com/KittyARussell/.