Teens Set to Soar as the Nation’s First Female Eagle Scouts

Four local teens are making history as they join the Inaugural Class of Female Eagle Scouts – The rank of Eagle Scout is a prestigious achievement that has been attained by some of the country’s most noteworthy figures. Adele K., Darcy K., Haneen S., and Samantha H. are among thousands of young women who will make up this distinguished group.

“Earning the rank of Eagle Scout takes hard work and perseverance, and we are honored to recognize Adele, Darcy, Haneen and Samantha for this significant accomplishment,” said Andrew Sisolak, Interim Scout Executive. “Along the journey to Eagle Scout, young people gain new skills, learn to overcome obstacles and demonstrate leadership among their peers and in their communities. These benefits are invaluable for everyone, and we are thrilled that they are now available to even more youth.”

Young women have been part of Scouting for decades in co-ed programs offered by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), including Sea Scouts, Venturing, Exploring and STEM Scouts. The BSA expanded that legacy further in recent years by welcoming girls into Cub Scouts and then into Scouts BSA last February. Scouts BSA is the program for youth ages 11 to 17 previously known as Boy Scouts. Since then, tens of thousands of young women from Glendale and Burbank and from across the country have joined the organization’s most iconic program, with many, including Adele K. Darcy K. Haneen S. and Samantha H. earning the rank of Eagle Scout.

Adele K. joined Scouts BSA after years of watching her brother participate in activities, she wished she could do. She could see that what he was learning through the program was valuable and fun at the same time. The leadership training in Scouts BSA is one-of-a-kind and she could discern that by going to the meetings and participating, the Scouts gain confidence in themselves.

Mr. Daniel DiMundo, a former Scout and Principal of Glendale Oaks Elementary, sees the benefit of three Eagle Scout Leadership Projects to the school and the community. “When Adele, Darcy, and Haneen came to me with their proposals, it was business as usual. I looked over the plans and gave them some feedback. As I look back nothing seemed strange to me at that first meeting. They were scouts who came to me with proposals and we worked together to make sure they would benefit the lives of our students. However, I specifically remember driving home as it hit me that I had just met with three young women Eagle Scout candidates. Two thoughts are still crystal clear from that moment. The first was, "That's amazing!" The second was, "It's about time!" It has been an honor to be the beneficiary of their work.”

Adele’s Eagle project was to renovate and upgrade Rocky’s Vegetable Garden in the kindergarten yard at Glenoaks Elementary School.

Darcy’s Eagle Project involved building a playhouse and small patio for the kindergarteners at Glenoaks Elementary School.

Haneen’s Eagle Project was to design and paint a wall mural at Glenoaks Elementary School.

Samantha’s Eagle project was to redesign and repaint the 50-state Mural for Bret Harte Elementary School.

Eagle Scout is the Scouts BSA program, highest rank, which only 6% of Scouts achieve on average. To earn it, an individual must take on leadership roles within their troop and their community; earn a minimum of 21 merit badges that cover a broad range of topics including first aid and safety, civics, business, and the environment; and they must research, organize, and complete a large community service project.

In addition to gaining skills that last a lifetime, individuals who earn the esteemed Eagle Scout rank can reference it for academic, vocational, and military recognition, including scholarships and advanced enlistment grade.

For nearly one hundred years, the Verdugo Hills Council has served the youth and communities residing in the shadow of the Verdugo Hills mountain. We take pride in the reputation we have built for developing self-reliance, strong character, respect for others, good citizenship skills, and physical and mental fitness in our young women and men. Our programs have instilled in these youths the values and knowledge they need to become leaders in their communities and beyond.

About the Boy Scouts of America

The Boy Scouts of America provides the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, which helps young people be “Prepared. For Life.®” The Scouting organization is composed of more than 2.1 million youth members between the ages of 5 and 21 and approximately 800,000 volunteers in local councils throughout the United States and its territories. For more information on the Boy Scouts of America, please visit www.Scouting.org.