Nicole Lipowski | Community Champion
Nicole's Full Biography
My name is Nicole Lipowski and I am a lifetime Girl Scout! I grew up in Glenview, IL (a suburb of Chicago) in the 80s. I started as a Brownie in 1st grade (1981) and was part of a troop until 8th grade (1989). We were a very active troop growing up. We went on camping retreats and did a lot of crafts. One of my favorite memories was the annual Father Daughter Square Dance! What fun to Do-Si-Do with our dads! I went to Camp Windego in Wild Rose, WI, and loved every minute of it! Camp with my friend Corrie is an especially fond memory. I have so many fun memories of Girl Scouts and am continuing to make more as a leader for my daughter’s troop!
Girl Scouts made me a more well-rounded individual and gave me tools in a number of different areas like leadership and problem solving. We learned sales (Girl Scout cookies kind- of sell themselves) and money management. The outdoor survival techniques I learned as a girl I am now teaching my kids. The creative thinking skills I use today started when I was a Girl Scout.
I went to the University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point and majored in Health Promotion/Wellness and minored in Psychology. I moved to Wausau after I married my husband, Steve. We have lived in Wausau for 20 years and have two kids, AJ and Natalie. I am involved in many community organizations and boards including the Center for the Visual Arts, Impact100 Greater Wausau, Boys & Girls Club, Girl Scouts, and PEO. I substitute teach K-12 as well as teach art. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling domestically and internationally, art, spending time outdoors especially hiking and gardening, scavenger hunts, and reading.
Girl Scout Alum Questionnaire
- What years were you a Girl Scout? I was a Girl Scout from 1981-1989. First-Eighth grade.
- Were you a Camp Counselor and what was your name? I was not a camp counselor at Girl Scout Camp but I was a camp counselor and art director at Camp Woodland in Sugar Camp, WI in 1995. One of my best summers ever. I was a day camp counselor in 1994 and I went by Dietz. That was my dad’s nickname in college because our last name is Dietrich. The kids figured out all the other counselors’ real names except mine- we never slipped! I may pick Pepita (pumpkin seed in Spanish) now because that was my dad’s nickname for me and eventually turned into my business name (My Pepita’s Magic).
- What was your favorite badge you earned as a Girl Scout and why? I think my favorite badges were probably needlepoint and babysitting. Those are the ones I remember anyway! I babysat a lot from age 9 on and always liked being with kids. I remember making needlepoint coasters from that plastic netting and white and red yarn and the four spelled out LOVE. I wonder if my parents still have those… ;)
- Who is your forever Girl Scout friend or leader? My forever Girl Scout friend is Corrie Peters (now Carp)! We lived down the street from each other growing up so it was just a short two block ride on my bike to hang out with her. Her mom, Joann, was our leader. We were always together- coming up with creative games or building forts outside- and being in Girl Scouts solidified our friendship. We went to Girl Scout camp together and slept in platform tents. I think we always went the same week because we had “Christmas in July” and put our longest sock out (it was the 80s- we wore knee socks!) and they would put an orange and unsalted peanuts in them. We just had a blast together! I’m still her Wisconsin cookie connection! I just mailed her some cookies yesterday because she couldn’t get Tagalongs (Peanut Butter Patties) in Illinois and she needed a fix!
- How would you prefer to spend a free summer afternoon? Probably hiking!
- What is your favorite comfort treat? A campfire. All warm and toasty next to one making some s’mores.
- What is your beverage of choice? I am an herbal tea drinker. No caffeine for me! Chamomile or peach are my favorite.
- What woman in the public eye inspires you the most? Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a woman I admire from the public eye. She may not have been a Girl Scout but she SHOULD be an honorary one! She broke barriers for women and wasn’t afraid of making waves and changing the judicial way for women. She was fierce and beautiful. She epitomized if you don’t like it- change it!
- What are your three favorite colors? Turquoise, indigo and fuchsia but I really love all colors.
- You can't live without your kindle- endless supply of books!
- What is your favorite Girl Scout Cookie? Shortbread/Trefoil- I’m old school. You can’t go wrong when butter is the main ingredient!
