Recipients of Inaugural Women LEAD Scholarship Announced

The Junior League of Dallas (JLD) and Mary Kay Inc., two of Dallas’ most philanthropic organizations, are proud to announce the four female recipients who will receive a combined $25,000 in collegiate scholarships through a new JLD program, Women LEAD

(Learn • Excel • Achieve • Dream). The inaugural event was held on March 27, 2014 at Emmett J. Conrad High School, where eight female Conrad High School senior finalists competed in an oratory competition followed by an awards ceremony.

Director of Corporate Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility of Mary Kay Crayton Webb, Fourth Place Winner Maria Monjaras, First Place Winner Deyanira Zapata-Martinez, Third Place Winner Sumayah Al Haddad, Second Place Winner Lauren Jackson, Shannon Powell Hart of WFAA-Good Morning Texas, and Junior League of Dallas President Laura Johnson.
Photo by Dana Driensky

Each student prepared a three to five minute speech based on the essay topic, “How My Female Role Model Overcame Obstacles to Achieve Her Goals and How It Inspires Me.” Following the presentations, the judging panel determined the winners and awarded a total of $25,000 in college scholarship funds to four students based on the merits of their scholarship application and speech presentation. The first place winner, Deyanira Zapata-Martinez, will receive a one-time $10,000 scholarship. Second place winner Lauren Jackson, third place winner Sumayah Al Haddad and fourth place winner Maria Monjaras, will each receive a one-time $5,000 scholarship. These funds will be paid directly to the college or university the recipient attends.

Tagalongs, Samoas, and Trefoils -- oh my!

Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas (GSNETX) launched its annual Cookie Program on January 10, 2014. New this year, Girl Scouts will have cookies in hand, allowing them to sell, deliver and collect money in one easy step; to the delight of cookie fans across northeast Texas. Each box of cookies sells for $4.  The GSNETX Cookie Program will run through Feb. 17.

Also new this year -- Cookie Locator app!

To find a booth near you, download the Cookie Locator app for iPhone or Android by searching GS COOKIES in the app store. You can then search for cookie sales by zip code and share with friends on social media.  So easy!

Not sure which flavor to buy? The app can help with that too! Fill out the fun "What's your cookie personality?" quiz to reveal the cookie that best fits YOU.  Cookie flavors include the world-famous Thin Mints, Tagalongs, Samoas, Do-Si-Dos, Trefoils, Dulce de Leche, Thank U Berry Munch, and Savannah Smiles.

In 2013, GSNETX sold 3.6 million boxes of cookies. The GSNETX Cookie Program supports local Girl Scouts and 100 percent of proceeds raised stay in northeast Texas.

Selling cookies is more than a tradition; the Girl Scout Cookie Program is an integral part of Girl Scouts’ business and economic literacy initiative for girls in kindergarten through 12th grade. The program helps Girl Scouts develop five key skills: goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics. Girl Scouts also have the opportunity to earn the new Mary Kay Entrepreneurship patch, designed to inspire the next generation of female leaders through the Cookie Program.   

All girls who participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program are eligible to earn the annual Cookie Activity Pin (shown below). When they earn the pin, invite girls to share their accomplishments in each of the 5 Skills. Here’s how girls achieve the 5 Skills through the Girl Scout Cookie Program: goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics.

For more information about the Cookie Program visit: www.texascookietime.com.