A Belmont high school senior is among the first class of female scouts in the country to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.
In February 2019, the newly renamed Scouts BSA announced that it would, for the first time, include girls between the ages of 11 and 17. Two years later, Scouts BSA is recognizing its first class of female Eagle Scouts, the highest rank in scouting. Only 8% of scouts ever earn the distinction.
Megan Horling, 17, earned her badge, pin and certificate Tuesday night during a virtual troop Eagle Court of Honor ceremony as part of Belmont’s Spirit of Adventure Council.
Art Kinzinger, scout master of the Council’s Troop 304-G, said Megan was determined and got right to work as soon as she joined.
“She was 15 and just a few months shy of 16. And in scouting, you have to complete all of your work and submit your eagle application before your 18th birthday,” he said.
Horling said the opportunity to be one of the first to attain the Eagle Scout rank is a trailblazing moment.
“It’s a pretty big deal," he said. "In my opinion it's not a perfect system yet, and there’s always room for growth. But it’s a great step in the right direction in terms of gender equality and things like that."
