Making the World a Better Place
Girl Scout Pride

	Victoria (hot pink) with the Girl Scouts of Westchester*Putnam committee that organized a fabulous Girl Scout/Dove uniquely ME! Jamboree in its community.

By Victoria Simpson

It takes a person of courage, confidence and character to stand up for what she believes. This past spring, 18-year-old Victoria Simpson, now a student at Syracuse University tells how she feels about being a teen Girl Scout and what motivated her to get involved with an exciting Girl Scout/Dove uniquely ME! project.

I know how daunting it can be to be a Girl Scout in high school. Teenagers can be cruel and getting made fun of for doing something you love is completely unjust. One day, my high school AP Psychology teacher laughed at me, in front of the entire class when he found out I was a Girl Scout! I went home crying. What was so funny about being a Girl Scout? Then I realized there was nothing to cry about. So what if he laughed? So what if my class knew I was a Girl Scout? I have been a dedicated member for 13 years and have accomplished so much—that is nothing to be ashamed of. I told my teacher I had completed my Girl Scout Gold Award—the highest accomplishment a Girl Scout could reach. I realized that being a Girl Scout, and not being embarrassed to tell people about being a Girl Scout, could change the image of Girl Scouting into what it really was.

uniquely ME! Jamboree

Girl Scouts are sometimes stereotyped as "do-gooders"—always honest, fair, kind and, oh yeah, we do crafts, go camping and sell cookies. These things are partially true, but we try to uphold the Girl Scout Promise and use what we learn in Girl Scouts to pave our own paths in life as well.

This past April, I helped organize the uniquely ME! Jamboree, which included workshops that sparked the interest of over 200 girls! We even had two guest speakers: a scientist that pointed out our environmental setbacks and the gymnast and Olympic medal winner, Dominique Dawes. She told an inspiring story about being herself and feeling comfortable with who she is. As part of the planning committee, I was able to watch the girls listen to these amazing women speak. I was moved. Seeing more than 200 Girl Scouts sitting together, proud to be Girl Scouts, was such a rewarding feeling.

My participation in the uniquely ME! Jamboree grew out of my Girl Scout Gold Award project known as the "STUDIO 2B Sampler." At a Sampler, girls get to try different activities. The Sampler was held in March at our Girl Scout Camp with a bunch of different workshops that girls ages 11-17 could participate in, all focused on discovering their unique talents and strengths. It was successful, but I had a bigger and better vision in mind. That's why I got involved in the uniquely ME! Jamboree.

Leave Your Footprint

I believe if you take small steps you will leave your footprint in the hearts of those around you. Eventually your footprint will conquer the world and change it for the better. I was able to keep teenage girls interested in Girl Scouts by helping organize the uniquely ME! Jamboree. I've left my mark on them and the Girl Scouts of Westchester*Putnam Council.

Light the Future

I believe every child hopes to dramatically change the world, making it a happier and safer place for everyone to live in. As children continue to grow up in a tainted world, their hopes and views may change—perhaps even disappear. My childhood aspiration of leaving an impact on the world has never faded and will continue to inspire me to do my best to help those around me. So, as I am now a college student, I will uphold the Girl Scout Promise and Law, assured that I will leave my imprint everywhere I go.

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uniquely ME! THE GIRL SCOUT/DOVE SELF-ESTEEM PROGRAM was established in the fall of 2001 to boost self-esteem among girls ages 8 to 17. The uniquely ME! resources are available for all girls.