In January, Twin Arrows Districts first female Eagle Scouts successfully completed their Eagle Boards of Review. Please welcome Sarah Loehrke and Bailey Preston of Troop 918 to the inaugural class. Congratulations ladies!
Both of these Scouts come from a strong family tradition of Scouting, both are also members of multi-generational Eagle Scout families. We asked them to share a little bit about their Scouting Stories. Here's what they had to say:
Sarah Loehrke · Troop 918
What's your Scouting Story?
My family has always been involved in scouting. My Grandfather and Father are both Eagle Scouts, as is my older brother. I also have two cousins and two uncles who are also Eagle Scouts. When my brother went through cub scouts, I used to go along to all the Den meetings, the campouts and Pack activities. When I was young, I thought I was really part of the den, rather than being there as just a sibling. I liked participating in the activities, like Pinewood Derby and the Cub-mobile Race, with the Den, until he moved up to Boy Scouts where I could not go to activities anymore. When they announced that girls would be allowed into Scouts BSA, I decided that I wanted to be a part of it. So, on February 1st, 2019, I banded together with a couple other girls who were interested in joining Scouts BSA also. Four of us started meeting every week and slowly gained more members. Over the past 2 years, our troop has grown from 4 scouts to now where we have 17 members, with varying ages and ranks. I have had many great experiences through Scouts BSA. Some of my favorites have been attending Kerr Scout Ranch at Slippery Falls summer camp and attending and staffing Pine Tree. Around July 2020, after looking over my advancement status, I realized that I was close and could possibly be a part of the Inaugural Class of Female Eagle Scouts. I thought that if there was a chance, then why not go for it. Over the next 6 months I worked very hard to achieve my goal. For my Eagle Project, I worked with a local church to build a playground area that would help promote and attract young families and increase their youth membership. After I finished my project, I completed and submitted the final paperwork. On January 28, 2021, I sat for my Board of Review and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.
What is the one moment that excited you most about your scouting involvement?
One time that I really enjoyed during my scouting career so far was staffing Pine Tree, youth leadership training course. It was amazing to see all of the scouts that wanted to take their troops and patrols to the next level, and I was really excited to be a part of those scout's
leadership training journey.
What are you most proud of, because of your scouting involvement?
I am proud of the opportunity I have been given to help pave the way for other girls in scouting and leading scouts to carry on the BSA legacy.
What would you say to others who are thinking of becoming involved in Scouting?
The benefit that the scouting program gives back to youth and to the community is just amazing and I would encourage anyone who can to become a part of or contribute to the program to do so.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I am really looking forward to helping the younger members of my troop progress through the ranks and help them to achieve all they can through the Scouts BSA program.
Bailey Preston · Troop 918
What's your Scouting Story?
I have been involved with my brother's Cub Scouts’ den, which is really where my
involvement with BSA began. I would always go to his meeting and help out at
events. When I turned 14, I was interested in joining a venturing crew, but then I
heard that the Boy Scouts of America were letting girls into their program. My dad
suggested that I try this first to see how I liked it since my brother was already in
scouts, and both my dad and grandpa are Eagle Scouts. The troop that I am in
now is my second scout troop, as I moved here just about a year ago. The scout
troop that I originally joined was Troop 876 in Alexandria, Virginia. They had
started having meetings a few months before girls were officially let in to get
everyone acquainted and work out all the details. From the first meeting, I could
tell that this was a good fit for me. While in Virginia, I staffed day camp at
Gunston Hall and participated in the CAT 40 where I walked 24 miles. After a few
months, I ended up moving here to the great state of Oklahoma. I was upset to
have to leave all my new friends that I had just made but was eager to meet this
new group of girls and to have some new experiences. Since joining troop 918, I
can say that this opportunity was worth it. I've made some great friends and I am
more involved in scouting than ever before. I was also just inducted into The OA
as an ordeal member. With this new induction, I've also decided to join the OA
ceremony team to be more involved. I have attended summer camps at Ottari
and H. Roe Bartle. Since getting my Eagle Rank, I've also been putting some
thought into joining a Venturing Crew for some high adventure opportunities.
I got involved in scouting to try something new. I have a lot of experience with my
brother's cub scout den and I have seen first hand how helpful the scouting
program is to youth. It helps teach valuable skills, all the while being hands-on
and fun. My dad and grandpa are also Eagle Scouts, which made me want to
strive for that goal.
What is the one moment that excited you most about your scouting involvement?
One moment that excited me most was hearing that girls were getting the
opportunity to earn their Eagle Rank. Earning my Eagle became one of my long
term goals in scouting, and I am so proud to officially call myself an Eagle Scout.
What are you most proud of, because of your scouting involvement?
This sounds pretty obvious, but I'm most proud of earning my Eagle Rank. I've
been looking back at all of the hard work that I put in throughout my scouting
career, and it was all worth it. I'm now able to say that I am proudly a part of the
first inaugural female class of Eagle Scouts. With that, this is not the end of my
scouting career. I look forward to a bright future for myself and the rest of my
fellow female scouts.
What would you say to others who are thinking of becoming involved in Scouting?
Do it! Joining scouts has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. It has
provided me with so many fun adventures, and has unlocked opportunities for
my future. I think that scouting is one of the best programs for youth to be
involved in, as I have learned so much from it. I have learned not only basic life
and outdoor skills, but also things that will help me excel in the future and in my
career.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I am really looking forward to the future of the scouting program with the
inaugural class of female Eagle scouts. I cannot wait to see what the future holds
in store for us.
Do you have a Scouting Story you'd like to share? Email us info@okscouts.org.