Lauren Swenson-Lennox earns Eagle Scout Award

On October 30, 2020 Lauren Swenson-Lennox successfully completed her Eagle Scout Board of Review. Lauren is the first Eagle Scout and a founding member of Troop 998G formed on February 1, 2019 and led by Scoutmaster Kimberly Carlson.

The troop is sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post #6298. Without the VFW’s continued support of Scouting for both young men and young women, this achievement would not have been possible.

Due to Covid-19, the date of her official Eagle Court of honor will be determined later when gatherings are permitted. Lauren resides in Pleasanton, her parents are Michael Lennox and Andrea Swenson. Lauren joins her brother, Alex, and father, Michael as Eagle Scouts. Lauren’s father is very involved in Scouting and is the Training Chair for the Twin Valley District of the Boys Scouts of America.

During her Scouting journey, Lauren served as Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Troop Guide, and Librarian. She went on her first backpacking trips, went white-water rafting, learned how to shoot rifle and shotgun, and most importantly, learned skills and made friendships that will last a lifetime. For her Eagle Scout community project, Lauren led a team in building a pair of benches for the Hart Middle School PE department.

After Lauren’s Board of Review two of the members of the board posted the following:

Tracey Lewis Taylor, Chief Operating Officer of Stanford Healthcare – Valley Care. Posted, “I am incredibly honored to have served on the Eagle Scout Board of Review for the Tri-Valley’s first female Eagle Scout candidate. We voted unanimously to recognize her as an Eagle Scout and I went to sleep incredibly inspired by this program and the strengths of the next generation in our community. She is an exceptional young lady and I am proud to have been a part of this incredible moment with her."

Former Assemblywoman Catharine Baker posted the following to her Facebook page: “Got to do something special tonight. It gave me much hope for our future. I was honored to serve on the Eagle Scout Board of Review for the Tri-Valley’s first female Eagle Scout candidate. She made the rank. Her skills and her embrace of both Eagle Scout and Scouting values were a nice tonic for the times we are in.”

Like the other Eagle Scouts in the inaugural class, Lauren’s official Eagle date will be Feb 8, 2021.

In addition to Scouting, Lauren’s passions include dance, law, sociology, and sports. Lauren dances competitively and is co-captain of the Foothill High School Dance team. She participates in the Foothill Writer’s Club. While at Foothill, Lauren has played on the Lacrosse team, the Ice Hockey team, completed a Spartan Trifecta, and participated in Foothill’s Mock Trial Club. In addition to Scouting, Lauren has volunteered with the Exceptional Needs Network and Open Heart Kitchen.

After graduation, Lauren plans to attend college and study sociology. She has applied to a number of colleges in California and Oregon.

To earn the rank of Eagle Scout, a Scout must be active in their troop, provide leadership, earn 21 merit badges including the areas of citizenship, camping, communications, cooking and lifesaving or emergency preparedness as well as demonstrate that they live by the principles of the Scout Oath and the Scout Law.

They must also plan, develop and give leadership to others in a service project benefiting a religious institution, school or community group.

Anyone interested in joining any level of Scouting can contact the Twin Valley District Executive, Matt Lindberg, matt.lindberg@scouting.org.