Girl Scouts celebrate Noon Year’s Eve with bowling

Lilly Smith probably won’t be awake to watch the ball drop at midnight in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, but the 7-year-old did get to watch her bowling ball roll down the lane and pick up a spare.

Lilly and her family, from North Liberty, were among about 50 people attending the Girl Scouts Noon Year’s Eve party Friday at Lancer Lanes in Cedar Rapids.

When a reporter asked Lilly how she, a Brownie, views the Girl Scout motto to “be prepared” when it comes to the arrival of 2022, she shrugged.

“I brought everything I need,” she said.

With a pink sequined dress, pearl necklace and New Year’s headband, she was the best dressed bowler at Lancer Lanes — even with the two-toned bowling shoes. Lilly’s sister, Taylor Smith, 13, has a more defined plan for 2022.

“My New Year’s resolution is to have a healthier lifestyle,” she said. Taylor plans to do some meal planning and exercise more. “I want to eat more fish because it’s good for your eyes.”

When Sydney Vrban, 11, of North Liberty heard “be prepared,” her mind jumped ahead to school starting back up next week.

“Maybe catch up on as much homework as I can,” she said.

Kennedy Bakker, 10, of Fairfax, was eager to bowl Friday because her cousins were there and because she wanted to connect with other Girl Scouts from across the area. She plans to start 2022 by eating more fruits and vegetables.

“And her mom is going to Farrell’s for 10 weeks,” added Stacey Bakker, referring to a kickboxing and strength training program.

Stacey Bakker says “2022 will be the best year yet. We’re not going to talk about the C-word.”

And by the C-word, she means COVID. Bakker hopes 2022 involves more travel and more real-world, rather than virtual, experiences.

For Eva Hill-McGee, 15, of Cedar Rapids, 2022 will bring high school.

“You get to learn more with more types of classes,” she said, adding she’s looking forward to taking biology.

Hallei Praska, 13, of Coralville, was glad to be bowling with her parents, Craig Praska and Karla Praska.

“I’ve been doing it since I was a Daisy,” she said of the youngest Girl Scout level, for kindergartners and first-graders.

She plans to prepare for returning to school at Northwest Junior High on Monday by getting her backpack ready this weekend.

As the time neared noon, Scout leaders poured Hawaiian Punch in silver and gold plastic cups and prepared for a countdown. When the clock struck, they downed their juice, put away their bowling shoes and went into a party room to learn about the Girl Scout Cookies for sale in 2022.

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