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cougar cameos Rio Turrini-Smith ’15
Q: How long have you been involved in Girl Scouts, and what do you find rewarding about it?
A: I’ve been involved in Girl Scouts for 13 years. I’m now an Ambassador Girl Scout. For the past three years, I’ve worked with Girl Scout Camp Artemis, an outdoor leadership camp for girls ages 7–15. I find Camp Artemis very gratifying because we see campers grow so much during the week. It’s really special to see the girls gain confidence in themselves and their own abilities as leaders. With the Girl Scout program in general, I find the focus on service to be rewarding. There are lots of service events and projects, but there’s also the overall culture of “leaving something better than you found it.” Q: Are there any common misconceptions about Girl Scouts?
A: The idea that Girl Scouts is all about crafts and cookies. That’s true for younger girls, but it’s different for older girls. Overall, Girl Scouts gives you opportunities to try different things and find out what you like and don’t like. Everything is funded by cookie sales, so there isn’t a huge cost to the individual.
Q: What have you learned as a Girl Scout that has helped you as a student at Santa Catalina?
A: I’ve learned to follow the things that interest me and to work for the things I care about. Girl Scouts (especially Artemis) has helped me feel comfortable asking for help when I need it and figuring out what’s important to me as a person. This affects me as a student by motivating me to work toward short-term goals that will help me pursue my interests in the long run. Q: Which current world issue are you most passionate about? How do you support it?
A: Environmental justice. Many communities that are the hardest hit by climate change or poor environmental policy are often the least involved with making those decisions and don’t have the resources to protect themselves or their land. I’m trying to educate myself about these issues through my AP Environmental Science class and the news, and to understand the politics behind such decisions. I hope to continue studying these topics in college. Q: Tell us about a faculty member who has supported your interests or who has broadened your view on the world.
Q: Do you find any similarities between Girl Scouts and Santa Catalina, beyond the all- girls connection?
A: Both have helped me try lots of different things and explore my interests and passions through events, classes, and clubs. Both offer opportunities to make a difference in the things I care about.
A: Mrs. Struckman. Her AP Environmental Science class has helped me understand that most environmental decisions have a mix of good and bad consequences—environmental, political, economic, and social consequences. I didn’t fully appreciate the complexity of these issues before her class.
Q: How has Santa Catalina prepared you for being a leader in Girl Scouts and vice versa?
Q: Which extracurricular activities at Santa Catalina have inspired you?
A: Girl Scouts has given me the confidence to hold my own in group discussions, and Catalina has taught me to be comfortable speaking in front of a group.
A: The film Miss Representation had a big impact on my understanding of how people are affected by media. I also really enjoy the UN Film Festival screenings and the other documentaries we watch during Journey Days. Many of them have inspired me to learn more about people and places I’d never heard of before.