BAY RIDGE — She did it again! For the second straight year, Bay Ridge resident Ashleigh F., 13, was named the top cookie seller in all five boroughs by the Girl Scouts of Greater New York (according to official Girl Scouts policy, Ashleigh’s last name will not be published).
This year, Ashleigh sold a whopping 3,000 boxes cookies, besting last year’s total of 2,528.
“Ashleigh is an incredible example of what Girl Scouts in New York City are capable of,” said Shari Krull, CEO of Girl Scouts of Greater New York. “Her determination, creativity and connection to her community truly set her apart this season. She didn’t just sell cookies but also built relationships and demonstrated the confidence and leadership that the Girl Scout cookie program is designed to inspire.”
Once again, Ashleigh sold a large selection of cookies and sweet treats. For Ashleigh, who is now in eighth grade, this year’s victory was even sweeter.
Ashleigh F. sold 3,000 cookies this year, which was enough to be the top seller in all five boroughs by the Girl Scouts of Greater New York. Photo: Ashleigh F.
“It felt amazing that I was able to do it, because this year, I did feel that my schedule was even [busier] than last year,” she told the Brooklyn Eagle. “I was just glad to be able to do it again this year and even top my own record. It felt really special to do that.”
She said that this year, Thin Mints were more popular this year than Samoas. Although she couldn’t reveal her secret tips for her record-breaking numbers, the Girl Scout gave insight into how she’s been so successful.
“Parks on the weekends during warm weather since people have picnics and farmers’ markets are good places,” she said. “This year, we sold at a train station but not a lot of people bought from us there. Most years, they are pretty good at helping me get to my goal. They still helped but didn’t buy as many as last year.”
Later this year, Ashleigh will attend a national Girl Scout convention, which will take place on her birthday. “There’s going to be about 10,000 scouts from across the nation there,” she said.
Ashleigh has sold cookies for nearly 10 years. Of her favorite things about selling cookies, meeting people tops the list. “I have favorite customers,” she said. “I have an elderly couple that would come by occasionally and would buy a Do-si-dos and the Lemon-Up. They were really fun to talk to. I also had a teacher come by once and buy cookies for students, which was really nice.”
Her father Will also told this paper how far along his daughter has come. “We are really proud of her,” he said. “She works very hard and it’s fun to watch her grow. It’s definitely been a different approach. She’s been doing this for 10 years and to watch the approach grow from just a little baby who is just happy to sell a couple of boxes to having a young adult here who is setting goals and surpassing them is really amazing to watch.”
He added that Ashleigh has been number one in Brooklyn for three years before her record. “So she’s on a five-year streak of being the top seller in Brooklyn,” he said. “As a lifelong Brooklyn resident, that makes me very happy, and to top the city is even better.”
Ashleigh F. sold 3,000 cookies this year, which was enough to be the top seller in all five boroughs by the Girl Scouts of Greater New York. Photo: Ashleigh F.
Girl Scout cookie season ended earlier this month. According to the Girl Scouts website, selling cookies started in 1917.
“For more than 100 years, Girl Scouts and their enthusiastic supporters have helped ensure the success of the iconic annual cookie sale — and they’ve had fun, developed valuable life skills and made their communities a better place every step of the way,” it states.
“Girl Scout Cookies were originally home baked by girl members with moms volunteering as technical advisers. The sale of cookies to finance troop activities began as early as 1917, five years after Juliette Gordon Low started Girl Scouts in the United States. The Mistletoe Troop in Muskogee, Okla., baked cookies and sold them in its high school cafeteria as a service project.”