Hi Everyone!
My name is Reema Shankar, and I will be graduating high school in May of 2026!
As I wrap up high school, I have had some time to reflect on my whole life up to this point; whether it be memories, places I have been, or people who I have met throughout the years. I have also had time to reflect on the constants of my life, one of which is Girl Scouts.
I joined Girl Scouts in the first grade when I moved to a new neighborhood. Immediately, I was surrounded by the most bubbly, funny, and kind group of girls, many of whom are in my core friend group to this day. We went on daddy-daughter camping trips where we made hotdogs on the grill and went horseback riding through the mountains. I also went on mommy-daughter camping trips where I would get launched off the blob into the lake and enjoy a steamy hot chocolate with my troop early in the morning.
If these camping trips weren't the main allure of Girl Scouts to me when I was a child, I can confidently say Girl Scout Cookies were. I think the first time I had a Samoa I practically burst into happy tears. I remember knocking on doors around my neighborhood every January selling cookies and nut mix and going to our local grocery store and setting up a big stand to sell cookies with my troop.
As I got older, I saw that there was so much more to Girl Scouts than camping and cookies (Don’t get me wrong those are still some of my favorite parts 😀). I have been lucky to learn so much about women in leadership, kindness, drive, collaboration, and so many skills I carry with me today. I really started to experience this side of Girl Scouts during my Camp CEO experience. It was completely paid for camp, and an amazing way to get advice from women professionals in their chosen field. It was from Camp CEO that I networked and made connections that led me to finding out about the Older Girl Advisory Board. It has been amazing to be a part of the advisory board these past three years as we work to make sure older girl scouting events have diversity, equity, and accessibility incorporated into them.
But one Girl Scout program I have learnt the most from is the Lime Green Giraffe. When I graduate, I will have been in the LGG for all four years of high school. Through LGG, I have had amazing leadership experience and have learned collaboration and creativity with the help of the amazing Ms.Marnye, Ms.Melissa, and Ms.Jo. I have learned so much as a writer and so much as a person and I will always be grateful for my time with the LGG.
Girl Scouts as an organization has done so much for me and I plan to continue being a part of this organization whether it is volunteering, or supporting the little girl who knocks on my door to sell me cookies.
And to any young Girl Scouts reading this, don’t be afraid to be part of all the opportunities Girl Scouts provides! Through all kinds of programs, you might learn about something that you are passionate about, or enjoy, or even something you're really good at 😀.
~ Reema
Class of 2026 - Girl Scout Ambassador
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