Nikki Brown, a Camino Real Elementary student, is one of the few girls who can say they have attended the Sundance Film Festival with Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex.
Nikki and her family starred in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s movie, Cookie Queens. Cookie Queens is produced by Beautiful Stories and AJNA Films Production, released by Roadside Attractions.
The movie follows the Brown family and four other Girl Scout families across the country as they get ready for another top-selling Girl Scout cookie season. The movie screened at over 50 film festivals and in movie theaters across the country in early August. Cookie Queens is now streaming on Apple, Amazon, and YouTube.
“I'm proud of making my goal and being in the movie Cookie Queens, because that’s a huge opportunity,” Nikki said.
With her family’s support, they work together to help Nikki reach her goal of becoming a top seller, like her two older sisters, Nala and Nyah. Together they sold over 1,600 boxes of Girl Scout cookies.
“The movie shows that your sisters can help you or that other people can have your back. I’m really grateful to have my sisters,” Nikki said.
Nala and Nyah were also top Girl Scout Cookie sellers under the leadership of their troop leader and mother, Teresa Brown.
“Being a Girl Scout teaches young girls about setting goals, business ethics, money management, taking rejection, and it builds their confidence,” Mrs. Brown said.
When Nikki isn’t leading as a Girl Scout, she sets a positive example at her school. She volunteers to help with the kindergarten classes during their lunchtime in the cafeteria. She helps open juice boxes, hands out condiments, cleans up after them, and walks them to the restroom or playground. Nikki occasionally gives up her recess to supervise younger students on the playground.
“I just want to help. Seeing them makes me smile, and I like when I come in, and they're like, ‘Oh my gosh, hi!’” Nikki said.
Nikki also inspires her younger peers at school to be kind and give back.
“Nikki is one of our model students. It has become a ripple effect to where everyone down to first grade is (volunteering),” Camino Real Elementary Principal Lynette Bowen said. “Everyone is helping out in some way.”
Younger students follow the fifth and sixth graders and also stay after lunch to wipe down tables, sweep, or mop alongside their custodian.
“I think it's important for girls to be involved on their campuses because they are our future leaders. They are learning these skills now, and they really are our future leaders,” said Teresa Brown.
As a Girl Scout, Nikki has earned over 800 badges and visited places such as Paris, Italy, London, New York, Washington, D.C., and many other places at only 11 years old.
Mrs. Brown encourages her daughters to “give it everything you have, every season, in everything you do; give it more than 100% in life. Have that integrity that you are doing it because it’s the right thing to do, and you like it, and you enjoy it,” said Mrs. Brown.
“I want people to take away that friends and family can be helpful and to never give up,” Nikki said. “The movie can teach girls to speak up and be more confident in themselves.”
Image 1: Photo Courtesy of LES Studios
Image 2: Photo Courtesy of Mrs. Teresa Brown
