The two latest Eagle Scouts of Troop 2223 charted by Manteca’s Sequoia Heights Baptist Church are part of Boy Scout history.
Megan Bressel and Katie Osterhout, both 17, are part of hundreds of young women nationwide that will make up the inaugural class of Eagle Scouts.
“When BSA opened the program to girls, I knew I had a once-in-a-lifetime chance to work hard and challenge myself in a scouting program,” Bressel said. “I was already familiar with BSA because both of my brothers and parents are involved in scouting. “
I’ve had more outdoor adventures. leadership opportunities and personal connections, than I expected. The highlight has definitely been restoring the historical headstones for my Eagle project. It was an honor to give back to my community. I am grateful for my Scoutmaster Paul Acosta who has been my Eagle mentor.”
Bressel plans to continue in scouting through the Venturing program and Order of the Arrow while attending a four-year university.
Osterhout’s brother and dad are both Eagle Scouts.
“I was familiar with the program and saw the opportunities it gave to youth,” Osterhout noted. “I joined Venturing to get similar experiences, but when I found out I could be part of Scouts BSA and earn my Eagle, I was excited to join.”
It’s been an amazing journey to be in the Scouts. I had the opportunity to go to summer camp, attend NYLT (National Youth Leadership Training) in Utah, joining The Order of the Arrow and learn lifelong skills that are going to stick with me forever. I have been able to meet scouts from across the nation and see how one program like the Scouts can bring people together from many different backgrounds.”
Osterhout’s Eagle project led a group of volunteers to fill more than 100 backpacks with age appropriate school supplies, toys, books and personal care items for youth in foster care. Each backpack included a personal message of encouragement.
Bressel led a team in scrubbing clean 450 headstones at a historic cemetery in Sonora to remove decades of moss and lichen overgrowth.
Eagle Scout is the highest rank in scouting. It is obtained by just about 6 percent of all Scouts.
To earn Eagle status an individual has to take on leadership roles within their troop and community, earn a minimum of 21 merit badges that cover a wide range of topics including first aid and safety, civics, business, and the environment. That is in addition to researching, organizing, and completing a large community service project.
For more information on Scouting go to Scoutimg.org.