Local Girl Scout, senior Amada Guardiola, knows the way to her classmates and teacher’s hearts, Girl Scout cookies. Amada will bring a big bag of cookies at the beginning of the day and will be sold out by the time the last bell rings.

“Selling Girl Scout cookies at school is probably one of the funniest things I will ever do,” Amada said. “It’s so funny watching people try to find me, and some teachers have already called me their ‘dealer’.”

Amada became a Girl Scout in the first grade, after hearing about the organization from others, one being her mom.

“I became a Girl Scout because it looked like fun, especially from all of the stories my mom would tell me about it,” Amada said.

She has learned a lot from being with the Scouts and has become more determined from the things she has learned.

“Being a Girl Scout has really taught me how to take rejection politely and how to persist politely,” Amada said. “I doubt I would be as determined to try things as I am if I wasn’t a Scout.”

Being a part of the Scouts has created a lot of memories for her, with her favorite being the overnight stay at Sea World.

“My best memory is when we earned a sleepover trip to Sea World, and my dad bought my mom a giant stuffed penguin while we were there,” Amada said. “It was funny to watch my parents carry it all over the park.”

To 11-year Girl Scout veteran Amada, being a part of the organization is a lot more than just selling the cookies.

“Being a Scout has taught me how to interact with people better,” Amada said. “It helped me get out of my shell and exit my comfort zone.”