Calhoun Seniors Are Among First Female Eagle Scouts

MERRICK, NY — Amritha Jacob and Julia Kirpalani, seniors at Sanford H. Calhoun High School, are part of the first class of girls in Nassau County — and in the nation — to be named Eagle Scouts, which is the highest rank earned in the Scouts.

Jacob and Kirpalani, who are members of Troop 186 in the Theodore Roosevelt Council, recently received a Citation of Merit from Nassau County Executive Laura Curran. One other young woman also received a citation. Suffolk County has only one female Eagle Scout.

“This is an incredible accomplishment considering girls were only allowed into the Boys Scouts in 2019,” said Principal Nicole Hollings.

In order to achieve the rank, each girl had to complete a public service project. Jacob’s project involved beautifying the landscaping of the Bellmore Presbyterian Church.

Kirpalani’s project was threefold, working with the Veteran's Hospital in Northport. She collected toiletries not provided for veterans, as well as organizing the beautification of five separate locations on the property. Kirpalani also fundraised to provide a $500 UBER gift card for veterans to get back and forth for COVID safety.