Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas is pleased to announce Girl Scout Cadette, Hannah Richmond, as the Top Cookie Entrepreneur Officer (CEO) for the 2011 Girl Scout Cookie Program!

 

Soon to be 14-year old Hannah sold 3,258 boxes of Girl Scout cookies, when the region's per girl average of boxes sold is 156. Her total sales amount to the highest number of Girl Scout cookies sold in our council's  87-year history. Congratulations, Hannah!

 

The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led business in the country, and Hannah is a leading young entrepreneur with a unique story. Hannah first joined Girl Scouts in February 2010, and was motivated to sell a record number of Girl Scout cookies in order to make a sizable contribution to a non-profit agency she is passionate about. Hannah volunteers for Animal Care Services and Alamo Rescue Friends, an organization that rescues dogs from over-crowded shelters in San Antonio and transports them to no-kill shelters in New England. In addition to using proceeds from cookie sales to support a cause she cares about, Hannah is considering using the remaining proceeds to help fund an international trip with sister Girl Scouts to Pax Lodge, a Girl Scout World Center in London, England.

 

When asked about lessons she learned during her first Girl Scout cookie season, Hannah says, "to set reasonable and challenging goals" and to "be professional and polite in dealing with all kinds of customers." She learned quickly how to organize each process of the sale, including booth scheduling, booth set-up, money management, cookie inventory and storage. Support from Hannah's mother, Rebecca, was essential in making it possible for her to reach her goal, "I believe the best part of selling cookies...was watching my daughter grow."

 

In addition to proceeds earned and numerous recognitions Hannah will receive by selling more than 3,000 boxes of cookies, including a laptop

-- as Top CEO, she will also receive her name on a plaque displayed at the Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership Center and a personal plaque to display at home, a specially-designed sterling silver pendant or charm, as well as the opportunity to shadow GSSWT CEO, Anna Maria Chávez, for a day.

 

Read more about Hannah's leadership journey and watch her interview with Jessie Degollado, KSAT 12 News Reporter.