Kids to Know: Lian A. and Girl Scouts of Citrus Leadership
For many families, cookie season means colorful boxes and favorite flavors. For Lian and thousands of Girl Scouts across Central Florida, it sparks something much bigger. It sparks confidence and leadership.
A Girl Scout for the past five years, Lian says cookie season is one of the most exciting times of the year, not just because of the sales, but because of what it represents. As a homeschool student, the experience has been especially meaningful.
“I get to learn new skills and meet new people,” she shares. “It’s fun being with friends and other Scouts.”
Cookie season is when those skills really shine. But when speaking with Lian about her experience with Girl Scouts, it became immediately evident that Lian is learning to be a leader. She is well spoken and enthusiastic, and can understand the big picture of what the Girl Scouts of Citrus aims to accomplish.
We spoke with Lian and Jennifer Wilcox, Executive Director of Girl Scouts of Citrus, about what cookie season really teaches girls.
Girls Scouts Do More Than Just Sell Cookies
Cookie season looks like cheerful booths outside local businesses. For Lian and her troop, it means connecting with people and reaching new goals.
“You have to be very motivated and look energetic,” she explains. “You have to get out there, walk around, and be active and visible.”
She’s learned that selling cookies isn’t one-size-fits-all. For example, Caramel Delights may sell quickly, but other varieties require a different approach. Depending on the location, the time of day, and the customer, Lian adapts her pitch.
“You listen carefully to their concerns and answer their questions,” she says. “You have to adapt to different people.”
It’s real-world negotiation, goal setting, and customer service, all of which are useful skills for kids and adults alike.
Learning for the Future
Beyond cookie booths, Lian has earned badges in areas like first aid and continues to develop practical skills that prepare her for the future. “Every skill you learn is something you can use later,” she says. She’s also formed lasting friendships and discovered new interests along the way.
According to Jennifer Wilcox, Executive Director for the local Girl Scouts council, that growth is exactly the goal.
“Girl Scouts is about building leaders and changing communities,” Wilcox says. “We’re propelling girls and women toward their dreams.”
With 114 years of history behind the national organization, today’s program blends tradition with innovation. While girls still host booth sales and learn face-to-face communication, they also manage new digital storefronts through the Digital Cookie platform. This new tool provides early experience in e-commerce and online business strategy.
“It’s a complex organization,” Wilcox explains. “But it’s truly an honor to use a lifetime of leadership skills to support these girls and watch them grow.”
Growing Up in Central Florida
Both Lian and Jennifer Wilcox say Central Florida offers incredible opportunities for young people. “There’s so much nature,” Lian says. “State parks, history, so many things to experience that you wouldn’t see in other parts of Florida.”
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Wilcox agrees, noting that the region’s welcoming culture, proximity to beaches, and strong community support make Orlando special.
From Cookie Season to What’s Next
As cookie season winds down, it naturally rolls into spring recruitment and camp programming—another opportunity for girls across Central Florida to step into leadership, adventure, and lifelong friendships.
One of Jennifer Wilcox’s most vivid Girl Scout memories doesn’t involve cookies at all. It involves rain.
She was in middle school on what was supposed to be a classic camping weekend, the kind of “garden variety” trip girls look forward to all year. But the rain started early and didn’t let up. Water seeped beneath the tents. Sleeping bags got damp. Morale began to dip.
“It was about to spin off the rails,” Wilcox recalls. That’s when her troop leader stepped in.
“She gathered us into the big central tent and said, ‘We’re going to have fun, and it’s going to be okay.’”
Instead of focusing on what was ruined, they leaned into it. They played in the rain. They turned the mud into a spa day. They laughed. What could have been a miserable weekend became one of her strongest memories.
“Her leadership and her positive approach…it was everything for us,” Wilcox says. “That example has stuck with me.”
And as cookie season wraps up, those lessons naturally lead into camp and spring recruitment.
“Every skill you learn is something you can use later,” Lian says. “It’s not just about selling cookies. It’s about learning how to talk to people, set goals, and try new things.”
