Hello! My name is Zooey Cooley. I’m a Girl Scout working on my Gold Award. I’m fifteen-years-old and a sophomore in high school. I’ve been a Girl Scout since I was seven-years-old. 

Last May, my grandfather died from melanoma. I would like my Gold Award to support skin care awareness and thought of paddle boarding because it’s an outside activity where the skin is exposed. I’m excited to be able to incorporate my Gold Award with Bluet Sup and raise awareness about skin cancer. 

Learning that this cancer is caused by unprotected exposure to the sun for long periods of time should inspire people to take precautions. I wish I could turn back time and make my grandfather safer from the sun by telling him to wear a hat and sunscreen. It is scary that there is no cure for Melanoma, that’s why prevention at a young age is imperative. I hope that people will start to protect the ones they love by encouraging them to wear sunscreen so they don’t get Melanoma like my grandfather.

I love to be outside like my grandfather playing tennis and swimming. I make sure that I have plenty of sunscreen when I’m outside.  I also enjoy reading mysteries, writing letters, practicing calligraphy and I'm seriously crazy for macaroons. I dance at Ballet Conservatory and have been in Intensity Dance Company for six years. Dance is a big part of who I am…I can’t imagine a day without dancing. I can still hear my grandfather cheering me on. 

I hope my story will inspire you to take care of your skin forever. If you’ve lost someone you love, I wish you peace in the beautiful memories you shared. 

Zooey Cooley