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Top Hometown Hero Cookie Seller: Sophia Z.
What level of Girl Scouting are you in and what neighborhood do you call home?
I'm currently a Cadette in Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida, Troop 1855. My neighborhood is Homestead Air Reserve Base.
How did you sell all those cookie boxes to become this year’s Top Hometown Heroes Cookie Seller?
I've been selling cookies since I was 7 years old, and my community has always supported me. Since day one, I went business to business after school and on the weekends to our local companies and organizations asking for donations or selling at a booth. I explained that they weren't just donating cookies they were also helping a local troop raise money for our Conference in Washington DC. They were teaching me managerial skills and of course donating back to our local heroes. I also took advantage of the S’mores and Toffee Tastics being $6 because it would give me the opportunity to ask every customer to donate their change. Even customers who didn't buy cookies, I would approach them and ask them for a $1 donation to help our local hometown heroes and they found it in their hearts to help out.
What’s your favorite Girl Scout cookie?
My favorite Girl Scout Cookie is the Adventureful. I love the caramel and chocolate drizzle and how it’s half chewy and half crunchy. It's the perfect cookie combination.
What lessons have you learned selling Girl Scout cookies?
The lessons I've learned as a Girl Scout are Goal Setting, Social Skills, Campaigning, Upselling and most importantly Friendships – I love spending time with my troop. Whether it’s in a meeting, helping the community or having fun.
What’s your favorite Girl Scout memory?
So many good memories, it’s hard to pick just one. But, my favorite Girl Scout memory was when I was eating breakfast at a local restaurant, because I love supporting my community, and I had my cookie cart with me and a lady asked me if I was selling cookies. I said, yes, and she said I would like a case of each flavor. I was so happy. I will never forget that day. She buys from me every single year.
What’s your favorite thing to do with your troop?
My favorite thing to do with my troop is go to our local heroes’ jobs and learn about their careers. This year a paramedic and a nurse came to one of our meetings and they taught us what to do in case of an emergency whether it was a fire, someone being hurt and even seizures. It was very educational.
If there was one thing you could do to make Miami a better place to live, what would it be?
Every year my troop and I always give canned goods to our local soup kitchen during Thanksgiving. I would love to bring awareness so everyone can participate, and we can make a bigger donation this year for the day of giving thanks. Giving to other doesn’t have to be a one day thing. It can be cleaning your closet of clothes and toys or donating extra food. If everyone did their part this world would be a better place.
