Texas Girl Scout follows big dreams in Cookie Queens documentary

Shannon Elizabeth’s mom helps her dress up in her Girl Scout Cookie-selling gear. Credit: Roadside Attractions

For 10-year-old El Paso native Shannon Elizabeth, every accomplishment starts with an ambitious goal. Whether it’s working toward her black belt in karate or selling enough Girl Scout cookies to earn a trip to overnight camp, Shannon loves a challenge and isn’t afraid to chase it.

In the documentary Cookie Queens, currently playing in San Antonio theaters, Shannon sets her sights on selling 2,750 boxes of Girl Scout cookies. The girl, who was 8 at the start of filming, is one of four main characters whose story was captured by filmmaker Alysa Nahmias.

During a recent interview with the Current, Shannon, who just started the fifth grade, talked about becoming a “Cookie Queen,” balancing karate and Girl Scouts, and what she learned from having cameras follow her journey.

What was your first thought when they told you they wanted to make a movie about selling Girl Scout cookies?

Well, I was very excited, but I was also kind of confused. I was 8 years old at the time. I couldn’t really understand the world yet. I wanted to know if I was in the film or acting in the film. How is my 8-year-old brain going to understand this?

What’s the best thing about being a Girl Scout?

My favorite part is probably selling cookies. I enjoy it. I also enjoy knowing that I’m helping the troop.

What’s the best part about selling cookies?

I like talking to people. I get to go to baseball games and volleyball games and basketball games to sell my cookies. I like to go to crowded areas because that’s where I have the best chance for selling my cookies.

Do people ever tell you no?

Yes, that does happen a lot, but that’s probably my favorite part because that’s how I learn how to improve. It shows me what strategies will work most of the time and which ones work half of the time.

So, what’s your favorite cookie you sell?

Oh, that’s a tough question. Either Lemonades or Peanut Butter Sandwiches. I like the shortbread.

Do you like selling cookies outside of a store, or do you like going door to door?

I do both because the more places that you can sell equals the more cookies you can sell.

That’s a smart business decision. What was it like having cameras following you around?

At first, it was a little strange. I thought it was part of the process. But in the end, you don’t really notice it. They just become part of your family.

When you saw yourself on the big screen for the first time, what did you think?

It was a little strange, but also a little emotional at the same time. But it was really cool. I really liked it.

What have you learned in Girl Scouts that you use in other parts of your life?

They teach you about entrepreneurship. They also taught me about courage and friendship. When I started Girl Scouts, I met my first friend who wasn’t imaginary. I started to make friends quickly. Being in the Girl Scouts also teaches you courage. In karate, I have some flaws with my courage, but Girl Scouts has helped with that.

How long have you been doing karate?

I’ve been doing it for almost three years. I am almost a black belt, so that’s coming up next year. I’m starting to train for it because it’s a very intense test. You have to run for 45 minutes nonstop. Then, you have to do a lot of forms. And then, you have to fight people — fight your instructors. Then after that, you might get your belt. But it’s possible that they just won’t give it to you.

There’s a scene in the movie where you make a video dressed in your karate uniform and you ask people to buy your cookies “or else.” Have you had a chance to use that line yet?

(Laughs.) No, because I don’t really think that’s going to work. I would drive people away!

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I want to be a cook. I like to bake whenever possible. But since I have two little baby cats now, I don’t really have the time to do that. I also love to do photography. I’ve learned to take photos with my mom. Or I’ll take after my mom and become a lawyer. I’ll figure it out once I get there.

What would you tell young girls that are thinking about joining Girl Scouts but aren’t sure yet?

They should do it because it teaches you entrepreneurship. It teaches you courageousness. It teaches you friendship and how to give a good sales pitch if you want to start your own business. And you’ll make a ton of friends along the way.

What advice would you give a young Girl Scout who wants to become a cookie queen?

One thing that me and my mom learned the hard way the first year is that we only got one case of each cookie. Don’t do that because you’ll sell out on the first day. Then you think, “Oh, wow, if we could sell one case a day, we could certainly sell 15 cases.” So, grab three or four cases of every flavor. That should last you at least three weeks.

I’d be worried if I had all those boxes of cookies in my house. I’d want to eat them every day.

My mom will put the cookies on the top shelf where I can’t sneak a cookie. I’ll just eat a cookie as a prize for completing my karate training.

If your mom lets you eat as many cookies as you want, how many do you think you could eat?

Depends on the cookie, that’s for sure. There are big cookies and there are tiny cookies. If it’s Lemonades, my max is probably three. But if it’s a Peanut Butter Sandwich, I’ll probably eat the whole box. I don’t know how I’d be able to eat 40 cookies, but I would definitely try!

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