6 minute read
Champion 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.
When 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 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.
Chef O Loves to Concoct Girl Scout Cookie-Inspired Creations. Check out her latest recipe, ChocolatePeanut Butter-Toffee Cookie Bites at bit.ly/ChefORecipe.
Celebrating Longtime Champions for Girls: As You Wish
As You Wish owners and longtime Girl Scout partners, Lori and Scott Neff, have been champions for girls since they acquired As You Wish in 2007. They’ve consistently brought artistic fun to council events, including Badge Bash and our inaugural B.I.G. Event!
Q&A with owner Lori Neff:
Q: What do you love most about Girl Scouts? A: I love that Girl Scouts provides ways for girls to develop their individual leadership skills. These skills will help girls as they continue to grow and throughout their adult life.
Lori Neff smiles big while purchasing some cookies from Troop 1264.
Q: Why do you feel creativity is an important skill? A: Creativity helps you to express yourself, see things from a different perspective, and learn to deal with uncertainty. Creative people can adapt their thinking and learn to go with the flow, as life is not always certain.
Q: What is your advice for aspiring business owners and entrepreneurs? A: The best advice I can give is that you must believe in yourself, be prepared to work hard, don’t be afraid to take risks, and remember that mistakes are opportunities to improve. Don’t give up!
Scott Neff helps himself to as many cookies as he can hold – and he’s still missing some flavors!
Banner Health Helps Girls Earn Cybersecurity Badges
On Oct. 4, 30 Brownies and Juniors learned about cybersecurity in a workshop led by experts from Banner Health, and earned all three cybersecurity badges: Cyber Security Basics, Cyber Security Safeguards, and Cyber Security Investigating! Banner Health staff volunteers engaged girls in dynamic activity stations that were even accompanied by digital cartoon characters designed to look like Girl Scouts! Girls had a blast, to say the least, and completed the day by exploring a top-secret cyber evidence room, learned how to navigate a secure facility, and solved a cybercrime! These G.I.R.L.s are working to close the gender gap in tech, one badge at a time!
Save the Date for Badge Bash 2020
Saturday, Nov. 14 at Parsons Leadership Center
Badge Bash is an opportunity for adults to experience life as a Girl Scout. Guests will experience a fun night of Girl Scout-inspired activities, while they earn “badges,” make new friends, enjoy a cocktail, and roast s’mores over a campfire. We invite you to bring a “team” of friends and test your skills in earning the most badges, and then dance the night away at the after-party! For additional information and to see photos from Badge Bash 2019, visit girlscoutsaz.org/badge-bash.
Ensuring Girl Scouting Remains Across Generations
By Bonnie Boyce M y mother, Naomi Carlene Boyce, was my role model. She was my Troop Leader from the time I was a Brownie and served as a neighborhood chair, cookie chair, and volunteered for many other duties to keep Girl Scouts going in my community.
As I advanced through the levels of Girl Scouting, I had great adventures, earned many badges, and performed acts of community service. Among my treasures, I still have my sash, covered with badges, my Senior Patch, and World Pin. (Senior was the highest designation at that time.)
My dad also was quite involved with our troop as he loved the outdoors and frequently loaded all of us girls, our tents, sleeping bags, camping gear, and food into his truck to spend weekends in the Colorado Mountains. My fellow Girl Scout Sister, Pat, and I regularly volunteered at camp and taught younger girls songs and games, kaper charts, sit-upons, and all the necessary activities to have a successful camping experience.
When I started my own family and when my daughter became old enough, I was her Leader, and lead her experience through to her being a Girl Scout Ambassador. Her troop assisted with the Winter Olympic Games in New York. Similarly, my daughter was Troop Leader for her girls, and my greatgranddaughters are now eager to join their local Daisies troop.
It is easy to see how Girl Scouting has profoundly and positively impacted my life and that of my family. I am honored to make a Legacy gift to pay it forward for other girls and their families to be enriched by the experience of Girl Scouts.
We thank Bonnie for sharing the impact that Girl Scouting has had on her life and for her generous gift to ensure all girls have the opportunity to experience Girl Scouting.
