2020 CitrusPeel Gold Edition

Covid Stories
IT’S ALL ABOUT PERSPECTIVE
by Julia Harpin
Hi, my name is Julia Harpin and I will be a rising
Cadette this upcoming year. COVID-19 has
impacted our world as a whole and sadly has
sickened and taken the lives of many people
of all ages. It has also affected my Girl Scout
experience. I have been in an active troop for
the past 4 years and this threw us all for a loop!
We had to learn how to have virtual meetings
and find new ways to come together. We have
done some fun cooking activities, but badge
work has been harder because we haven’t been
able to go to many places outside our homes.
My troop and I were planned to go to Savannah,
Georgia in June but canceled the trip instead.
We had been saving our cookie money for this
big trip for almost two years. Everyone was
really looking forward to it. We postponed our
trip until Labor Day weekend but are still unsure
if travel will be possible then.
While this situation has changed the way we
go about our everyday lives, I have tried to find
ways to enjoy moments with my family. We
have taken several trips to the beach while
socially distancing and having fun in the sun. I
love to relax and boogie board in the waves. I
like to scooter around my neighborhood or
take a walk with my mom and dog, Belle. We
have supported local small businesses who are
struggling by ordering take out and buying gift
cards to dine-in again in the future.
My 6-year-old sister is a first-year Daisy Girl
Scout, and I helped lead a virtual meeting for
her troop during this time. The girls had an
indoor scavenger hunt and listened as their
Daisy petal story was read to them. My sister
and I recently went to the Oviedo Mall and
painted a painting at Calliope Street. This
business had previously been doing virtual online
painting sessions, but it was nice to go and sit
down and paint again in person. We drove out to
Titusville on May 30th and got to see a rocket liftoff
which was carrying two astronauts to the ISS
Space Station. It was definitely something I will
never forget.
COVID-19 has made me uncertain about school
and what it will look like in the future. I’m sure
there will be a lot of changes, but it’s all about
perspective and how we look at it. I’m hopeful
that this situation will get better for everyone’s
safety and well-being. I believe it is important to
have a positive outlook and make the best of this
situation as we move forward.
16