Girl Scouts: Why It's More Than Selling Cookies

Since I have graduated from high school, I had the opportunity to tell my peers about how my life has been forever changed because of the best non-profit organization for girls of all ages. I earned my Girl Scout Gold Award my junior year in high school, and had the opportunity to make a difference in my community while I allowed Girl Scouts to make a significant difference in myself.

I joined the organization in 2004, where my mother was my troop leader. Later, after my sister was born, my mother took a break from the Girl Scouting world, and allowed me to make the decision to take a break myself. However, I became involved again when I was in the 6th Grade where I joined a new Girl Scout Troop started by Annie Bush. I was able to then realize I wanted to make a difference in other people's lives.

In 2011, I had the opportunity to attend the National Girl Scout Convention in Houston, Texas. I was able to hear notable women speak, such as Katie Couric, Michelle Obama and Robin Roberts. I also was able to listen to the Girl Scouts Women of Distinction talk about Gold Award projects. From hearing about how Girl Scouting made a difference in their lives, I knew I wanted to have that same impact as well. Because of that I knew I wanted to start earning my Gold Award.

My Gold Award community service project was entitled, "The Bullying Epidemic" where I produced a documentary that was aired on the Columbus Consolidated Government Channel during Anti-Bullying Month, which is October. In the documentary we had State Representative Carolyn Hugley, Mayor Teresa Tomlinson, Shari Perry, and America's Got Talent's the Eriam Sisters. We talked about the different laws that are in place to prevent bullying, what different kinds of bullying there are and how to settle the issue. I went across the city of Columbus speaking to PTA's and students about Bullying and what needs to be done to solve the issue. "The Bullying Epidemic" is now a part of the mandatory anti-bullying curriculum in Columbus, Georgia Schools.

Through this project, I learned a lot about what it means to be a Girl Scout. When I earned my Gold Award and saw my impact on children across the county, I knew it was bigger than myself. I knew I wanted to continue serving others throughout the rest of my life.

I later was able to study film production in Los Angeles, California, and produce my own short film.

I also was able to study British and French culture in London, United Kingdom and Paris, France because of Girl Scouts.

I was able to visit Savannah Georgia, and play the same piano that Little Richard, Ray Charles and many other musical legends played when they visited the First African Baptist Church. In the summer of 2015, I was a camp counselor and the arts and crafts teacher at Girl Scouts of greater Los Angeles Camp Osito Rancho.

Because of Girl Scouts, I am now able to attend Spelman on a full community service scholarship, where I can serve the community under the Bonner Scholars Program. I am now a lifetime member in Girl Scouts of USA.

I remember being made fun of all the time by my classmates for being an older girl scout. Not only from my classmates, but my teachers as well. Little did they know I was changing the world day by day. Now, some of them ask me how can they be a Girl Scout.

I am a proud member of Girl Scouts of the United States of America. I would not have it either way. I encourage everyone to stay a Girl Scout forever. It is way more than selling cookies. I will always remember the Girl Scouts Promise and Law. I will always make a difference in my community, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.