NEW ORLEANS — When businesses have a profitable year, funds are frequently earmarked to support local community efforts, and that’s just what Girl Scouts did during this year’s Girl Scout cookie program. By utilizing new technologies and participating in cookie program activities, girls learned how to set individual and group goals, practiced new marketing skills and achieved their own cookie business success, allowing them to realize their dreams and give back to the communities who support them through cookie donations and service projects.

Girl Scouts from throughout the council’s 23 parish jurisdiction participated in this year’s cookie sale, selling more than 1,100,000 boxes of cookies, with 186 girls inducted into the Girl Scout Cookie Hall of Fame for selling 500 boxes of cookies or more, including 17 girls who sold over 1,000 boxes.

“We congratulate all of our Girl Scouts, especially these high achievers who have earned a place in the Girl Scout Cookie Hall of Fame, for taking the lead in making their cookie business a success,” said Alisha Moore, product sales director at Girl Scouts Louisiana East.

“We are especially thankful to

our adult volunteers who serve as leaders and mentors for our Girl Scouts, helping them to develop the skills they’ll need as future leaders for themselves and their communities.”

The Girl Scout cookie program is an important part of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, giving girls the opportunity to discover what matters most to them, connect with people in their community and use the power of Girl Scout cookies to take action to make the world a better place. Customers enjoy a great product knowing that they are helping girls in their community to realize their dreams to do great things. A portion of the cookie sale proceeds goes to support Girl Scout troop activities with the remainder helping the council.

Girl Scout’s mission is to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. The local council, Girl Scouts Louisiana East, serves girls 5 to 17 in the parishes of Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, West Baton Rouge,

and West Feliciana. For more information about Girl Scouts or adult volunteer opportunities, call the council office in Baton Rouge at 225-927-8946, in New Orleans at 504-733-8220, or visit its website at www.gsle.

org.

The 2011 Cookie Hall of Fame

 Hailey Hilbun of LaPlace sold 750 boxes

Destiny Gan of Reserve sold 635 boxes

Lauren Shavor of Destrehan sold 600 boxes

Laura Sullivan of Destrehan sold 566 boxes

Taylor Boudoin of Hahnville sold 548 boxes

Alexis Mancuso of St. Rose sold 500 boxes