Bridging into adulthood, a Girl Scout story

A voice for the girls. That is how Girl Scout alum Alexa Goldblatt describes herself. She wiped her face of joyful tears as she crossed the Girl Scout Promise-adorned bridge she constructed for her troop’s bridging ceremonies. That night, as she removed her vest for the last time, she knew that her accomplishments as a Girl Scout, though no longer showing outwardly, would always be in her heart.

“I can’t see myself without Girl Scouts. I have learned so much and I gained my best friend,” she explained.

Her best friend Alli Widger, who she met when she joined her troop when they were Girl Scout Brownies, bridged with Alexa that night. The girls’ troop leader, Joanne Sundberg, knew how close the two were and felt they should complete their Girl Scout journey together. Alli moved to Oregon, but Joanne was not going to let distance get in the way of the sisterhood Girl Scouts created. She arranged for Alli to come back to Virginia to take the last step into Girl Scout adulthood with her best friend.

Alexa and Alli

Alexa, who recently moved back to Hampton Roads from Italy, joined Girl Scouts as a Daisy and worked her way through the Girl Scout levels, eventually earning the Buck Harris Award, Bronze Award and becoming a Cookie Captain. When she found out about the move overseas her family would be making, she knew Girl Scouts would still be a part of her life.

“It’s a lifestyle for me. I wasn’t going to let a move affect that,” she said.

Before leaving GSCCC, Alexa served as a girl member on our Board of Directors, which she feels helped her to start a Girl Advisory Board (GAB) overseas. A true go-getter and leader, she was also on our property task committee and heavily involved in the community.

In Europe, she helped get Girl Scout leaders the training they needed for things like CPR and First Aid so that they could be better equipped when taking girls on trips. She also started a Cookie Captain program in Italy, bringing leadership opportunities to more Girl Scouts overseas!

Joanne with Alexa

For her, making the move to Italy wasn’t as daunting as many would think because of the foundation Girl Scouts laid for her.

“I’ve seen girls come and go in my troop because of the military. Girl Scouts taught me to be open to new experiences,” Alexa said.

Now a Girl Scout adult, Alexa plans to continue her legacy of being involved with our Council. She would like to start a Daisy troop and join the property task committee again to continue being a voice for the girls.

GSCCC CEO Tracy Keller,
Past GSCCC Board Chair Carolene Goodwyn-Harris
and Alexa

“Whether you want to build your resume, blaze a particular career or make new friends based on your shared Girl Scout experience, you’ve got a worldwide sisterhood to add richness and fun for the rest of your life,” Joanne said.

As National Girl Scout Bridging Week approaches, we are reminded of the impact girls like Alexa have on the community through Girl Scouts. Bridging is an important transition in a Girl Scout’s life. It’s a defining moment when she becomes aware of her achievements and is ready for new adventures and responsibilities. It’s also a celebration of all she has achieved throughout the year.

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