Troop Leader Spotlight: February 2025
February 19, 2025
Meet Amanda Biondolio, Becky Rothrock and Heather Ramos. These three amazing troop leaders were nominated by their peers for their dedication and outstanding leadership. Troop leaders work hard every day to deliver a high-quality Girl Scout Leadership Experience for girls.
Amanda Biondolio, Troop 50121
Time Volunteering: 1 year
Service Unit: 622 Land O Lakes
Favorite Girl Scout Cookies®: Thin Mints
What are three things you have learned from being a troop leader?
1. Even though I am not a “camping person,” I have fun camping with the girls and just being in nature, unplugged from technology.
2. I learned some new crafts and enjoyed coming up with creative ways to give the girls their badges.
3. I was not a Girl Scout when I was younger, so being a leader gave me the opportunity to learn about the Girl Scout organization, and experience the journey of our girls trying new things, earning badges, developing leadership skills, and gaining confidence in themselves.
What are your two favorite things you are looking forward to with your troop?
We are planning to have a sleepover at the Florida Aquarium, and of course I am looking forward to encampment! The leaders that put together encampment are amazing, and last year was quite the adventure taking the girls camping for the first time.
What is one of your favorite Girl Scout memories?
One of my favorite memories was the bee experience at Abby's Farm. John the beekeeper was so knowledgeable, and the girls had such a good time. I still buy raw wildflower honey from him!
Becky Rothrock, Troop 32245
Time Volunteering: 4 years
Service Unit: 607 Sunny Palms
Favorite Girl Scout Cookies®: Do-si-dos
What are three things you have learned from being a troop leader?
Our troop loves to be creative and have fun! The best way to harness our energy is by working in small groups!
What are your two favorite things you are looking forward to with your troop?
Encampment and Cookie Booths
What is one of your favorite Girl Scout memories?
Anytime our girls create something (skit, song, dance, solution to a problem) and present to the group they SHINE!
Anything else you want us to know?
Be silly!
Heather Ramos, Troop 14108
Time Volunteering: 3 years
Service Unit: 605 Circle of Springs
Favorite Girl Scout Cookies®: Adventurefuls
What are three things you have learned from being a troop leader?
First, you are not just teaching the girls lessons to earn a badge, you are teaching life lessons. I love hearing parents share stories with me of how their girls tried something new at home or school, because of the badge work and lessons we've gone over at our meetings.
Second, if things don't go exactly as you had planned - it's okay! Being a Girl Scout is about adapting and continuing forward...and being a Girl Scout Leader is about modeling that for your girls. There's many times we've adapted the plans we had and (spoiler alert!) the girls usually don't notice or remember there was a change of plans...they'll just remember how much fun you had!
Third, we use the phrase "Teamwork Makes the Dream Work" when our girls work together on a project, activity or problem. This applies to leaders as well. I am learning that you don't have to do everything by yourself. You have co-leaders, parents and even other leaders in your service unit that are on your team and want the same success for your troop.
What are your two favorite things you are looking forward to with your troop?
I look forward to our weekly meetings. I love watching the girls learn & grow, but I love even more how close our troop has become - it truly is my second family. On the weeks the girls are out of school, we often plan activities because the girls don't want to skip a week...we celebrate all the holidays, birthdays and even new siblings at meetings together.
Our 2025 troop cookie goal is a sleepover at Busch Gardens during Christmas Town as a troop. Two of our girls attended this past December and after sharing their experience the entire troop decided to set it as their cookie goal. I can't wait to go back and experience this with our entire troop and celebrate all the work they've put in to get there.
What is one of your favorite Girl Scout memories?
We have had so many amazing memories, but my favorite is our most recent Service Unit Encampment because our entire troop was able to attend. Watching the girls experience many firsts (being away from their parents for the first time, trying archery and more) was so special.
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Do you know a Troop Leader who deserves to be recognized for delivering a high quality Girl Scout Leadership Experience? Consider nominating them for the Troop Leader Spotlight!
