Girl Scouts Learn Life Lessons from Little People

Some Saucon Valley Girl Scouts got first-hand information about valuable life lessons when they met two little people last week.

On Nov. 14, Joe Zrinski and Lauren Baksa visited Cadette Troop 8505 and told its members what life was like growing up a little person.

Both Zrinski and Baksa said they endured bullying and harassment from their peers because of their physical differences. For Baksa, her middle school years were the most difficult time during her youth.

Zrinski is a Hellertown resident who was introduced to the Girls Scouts' leader, Cindy Hallock, at a recent Lions club breakfast.

In addition to discussing the hardships associated with growing up a little person, the two guests shared information about how they were able to overcome the challenges they faced.

They also answered questions about what it's like to be a little person, which Hallock said was very beneficial for the middle school-aged girls in Troop 8505.

"The girls…were so happy to have been able to feel safe in asking questions," Hallock said. "(They) felt safe and empowered with knowledge."

In the future, she added, the members of the troop plan to share what they learned with other local Girl Scouts.

Troop 8505 is composed of sixth, seventh and eighth-grade girls who live in the Saucon Valley School District.