Greater Rochester-area Girl Scout sets historic cookie sale record

Thousands of girls participated in the Girl Scout Cookie Program this year and one Girl Scout, Ziyanece A. of Webster Troop 65105, achieved a groundbreaking accomplishment when she sold an astounding 7,125 packages of cookies – the most cookies ever sold in Girl Scout history for the Western New York Region (covering Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming counties).

At the age of 8, Ziyanece put her ingenuity and entrepreneurial skills to work as she sold her cookies online and in-person.

She said, “My favorite part of being a Girl Scout is meeting with my troop and doing projects. It really means a lot to reach such a high goal; it makes me feel like I can reach any goal that I set for myself. When I get older, I want to be a veterinarian or animal groomer because I love to take care of animals. 'Lemonades' are my favorite Girl Scout cookie.”

Ziyanece and her family were recently invited to celebrate her success at the Girl Scouts of Western New York Rochester Service Center by the GSWNY CEO Alison Wilcox; two of her service unit managers, Jennifer Shaw and Beth Cunico; and GSWNY staff members Mary Jo Brown (executive vice president of product program and customer service) and Megan Hall (product program manager).

Three-thousand cookie packages was the highest amount of packages sold for the Western New York region until Ziyanece set a new bar. Girl Scouts of Western New York applauds Ziyanece and all the girls and volunteers who worked so hard in a pandemic and participated in the 2021 Girl Scout Cookie Program.

Some other notable accomplishments were:

√ Girl Scout service unit with the highest amount of cookie packages sold per girl was Cattaraugus County West with 508 per girl.

√ Troop with the highest packages sold was Troop 34213 of Lackawanna South Buffalo with 10,832 packages of cookies sold.

√ Service units who made an impact in a big way through service unit community cookie booths were Pittsford, Webster, Millwheel, Big Bend, Como Lake and Kenton.

A press release stated, “The Girl Scout Cookie Program powers amazing experiences for girls. When customers buy cookies, they are doing so much more than purchasing a box of cookies. They are helping girls become confident leaders, by learning the five key life skills, like goal-setting, decision-making, money management, people skills and business ethics.

“As largest entrepreneurial program for girls in the world – the Girl Scout Cookie Program powers hands-on and life-changing experiences in a variety of skills areas for girls all year long. With the help of proceeds from the cookie program, girls gain real-world entrepreneurial experience, learn critical life skills, explore the great outdoors, and dive into fun, hands-on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities that unleash their imaginations and broaden their worlds. When customers make a local Girl Scout Cookie purchase, they are helping the next generation of entrepreneurs get an important taste of what it takes to become successful in business.

“Girl Scouts thanks the entire Western New York community for supporting girls through the cookie program and helping to make sure that all girls can have access to transformative program experiences in STEM, life skills, the outdoors and entrepreneurship through Girl Scouts.”

To learn more about Girl Scout Summer Camp, girl membership and adult volunteerism, visit www.gswny.org or call 1-888-837-6410.

Girl Scouts of Western New York Honors:

√ 2021 Rochester Business Journal, Bridgetower Media and New York State SHRM Best Companies to Work for in New York State

√ 2021 Buffalo Niagara Partnership ATHENA Organizational Award Nonprofit Recipient 

√ 2021 Business First Buffalo Best Places to Work