On my honor, I will try…to sell cookies.

Fifteen Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts from Payne Elementary School have geared up for their first cookie sale.

The girls, ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade, began selling cookieson Jan. 4 at various locations and will finish March 13.

More than 2.4 million Girl Scouts and 928,000 adults sell more than $700 million worth of cookies annually, according to information from the Girl Scouts of America.

Theresa Voss, troop leader, said the girls are excited.

“They’ve been working really hard, and we think it will be a great turnout,” Voss said.

Two new cookies have debuted this year: Thanks-a-lot, a shortbread cookie with heavy fudge and thank-you messages in five different languages and Shout Out, a light and crisp Belgium-styled, caramelized cookie.

Ashley Walker, second grade teacher for Meadowview Elementary and service unit manager for Girl Scouts of America-southern Alabama, is troop leader for 16 girls from both Meadowview and Knox Elementary schools.

In 2010, Walker’s troop sold more than 2,000 boxes of cookies totaling more than $7,000 in sales.

“This is my third cookie sale as a troop leader,” Walker said. “We sell for Dallas County, and each troop has their own sales and proceeds that can go towards traveling or prizes.”

Walker, who began as a Brownie herself more than 21 years ago, said Girl Scouts is an opportunity for girls to be the best they can be.

“Being a Girl Scout encourages girls to have big dreams, to explore outside of themselves – like go camping and traveling, and to explore within themselves,” Walker said.

Voss said cookies are $3.50 per box. The public can place cookie orders each Monday through Friday between noon and 3:30 p.m. at Payne Elementary.

For those interested in being a part of the Girl Scouts of America, the Selma-Dallas County YMCA will hold signups Sat., Jan. 29 from 1 until 3 p.m. Grades kindergarten through 12 and adult volunteers are encouraged to join. For more information call 874-9622.

The first Girl Scout troop was founded in Savannah, Ga. in 1912. There are now more than 3.3 million Girl Scouts in the U.S. and 10 million Girl Scouts in 145 countries.