CHAMPIONS FOR GIRLS
50 Years Later:
Gold Award Girl Scout Still Giving Back By Lindsey Shirley Fry’s Marketplace Executive Chef Omei Eaglerider recounts an unforgettable journey that began with Girl Scouting.
W
hen it comes to owning your story and living out your dreams, Omei Eaglerider (aka Chef ‘O’) is a testament of what it means to wholeheartedly commit to your journey, while teaching and serving others along the way. And for Omei, her dedication to persevere and excel, began with Girl Scouting. It was 1967 when Omei joined Girl Scouts as a Brownie. She was in the second grade and was captivated by the thought of earning badges by participating in hands-on activities. But for young Omei, becoming a Girl Scout went beyond the badges. “To be completely honest, I was bullied in school from first grade to high school so much so that I can honestly say I considered taking my own life. My troop was outside of school, so at first, it was a refuge, but then it became the place where I could not only be myself but where I also excelled.” Omei’s drive to excel, and the creative gifts she realized she had throughout her 18 years Girl Scouting as a girl and staff
GIRL SCOUTS–ARIZONA CACTUS-PINE
member, served her well. Not only was she a recipient of the Girl Scout Gold Award at the age of 17 (then called the First-Class Award), but she even held the Guinness World Record for ‘Continuous Yo-Yo’ while in high school. Omei would also flourish in the arts professionally and, in her late twenties, began working in the film industry. Over the next 11 years, her ambition to cultivate her craft led her to earn some of the industry’s most prestigious awards, including an Oscar for special effects in the film “Titanic” and an Emmy for special effects in the made for TV movie, “Miracle Landing.” Omei credits her love of learning and the ability to believe and achieve, to Girl Scouting. “I discovered there was so much more in me than met the eye. I learned how to challenge myself and that I was capable of whatever I put my mind to. Girl Scouting helped me find joy, purpose, and friends that I have to this day.” Over the last 53 years, Omei has made it a point to stay involved with Girl Scouts in some capacity. As the Executive Chef
at Fry’s Signature Marketplace Culinary School in Paradise Valley, Arizona, she offers a wide variety of cooking classes and often works with troops from around the Valley to help girls earn their cooking badges.
“When we use our talents and stories to help and inspire others, the world becomes a better place. It’s a joy and honor that I get to use what I’ve been given every single day.” Chef O Loves to Concoct Girl Scout Cookie-Inspired Creations. Check out her latest recipe, ChocolatePeanut Butter-Toffee Cookie Bites at bit.ly/ChefORecipe.
GIRL SCOUT
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