By Sandra Iruegas

The annual Girl Scout Paisano Council recently hosted its annual Cookie Crunch at Mall del Norte's Center Court and kicked off the Girl Scout Cookie sale season.
The Cookie Crunch is a contest that consists of competitors eating as many Girl Scout cookies as possible. The contestant who has eaten the most cookies in a 20-second period goes on to challenge other finalist in heats that take place every 20 minutes.
Among competitors this year were members of the Laredo Police Department, U.S. Border Patrol, and the Laredo Medical Group. Music was provided for the enthusiastic crowd that gathered to support their favorite Cookie Cruncher.
The finalists were Officer Laura Montemayor of the Laredo Police Department, Pedro S. Martinez of the Laredo Morning Times, and Webb County Deputy Sheriff Rudy Martinez. The Grand Champion was Officer Jenny Goodman of the Laredo Police Department.
Doris Ramirez, volunteer chairman of the event, said, "It was a lot of fun to bring people out here to support our Cookie Crunch."
Paisano Council Girl Scout Cookie order taking will end March 18. Cookies will be delivered after February 19. The Girl Scouts are introducing two new cookies this year, All Abouts and Olé Olé, along with the familiar Trefoils, Thin Mints, Do-Si-Dos, Samoas, Tagalongs, and Aloha Chips. All proceeds from this activity stay in the area, directly benefiting Laredo Girl Scouts.
For more information about Girl Scouts and how to order cookies call Jackie Bjorum at (800) 929-5229 or Connie Guevara at (956) 723-7251.