Richards Senior To Be Honored as First Female Eagle Scout of Troop 618

OAK LAWN, IL — A senior at Harold L. Richards High School is making history as the first female Eagle Scout of Scouts BSA Troop 618 (formerly known as the Boy Scouts). It's the highest attainable rank of Scouts BSA, which has welcomed girls into its program since 2019.

Maggie Ritter will receive her medal at 2 p.m. on Sunday during a ceremony at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 9701 S. Brandt Ave., Oak Lawn. The Eagle medal is awarded to Scouts who earn at least 21 merit badges and complete a service project in their community.

Ritter earned 59 merit badges and is being recognized for creating and maintaining a community garden at her church: Immanuel United Church of Christ, 9815 S. Campbell Ave., Evergreen Park.

"It feels great just knowing that I could be an inspiration for other girls who want to pursue Scouts," Maggie Ritter said. "I'm really fortunate to be the first one to do it."

Ritter said her idea started in January 2024, after her church's longtime preschool closed. It had outdoor playground equipment that sat empty for a year or two before Ritter decided to transform the yard space into a free community garden that opened to the public in July 2024.

Ritter learned how to garden from her father. He motivated her to join leadership positions at her Troop, where she developed skills in collaboration and problem-solving.

Members of Ritter's church and community members helped her with the garden. They grew various fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, cantaloupe, and squash. The community will also be tasked with keeping the garden alive since Ritter is graduating in May and plans to attend college.

One of Ritter's former teachers is "immensely proud" of her Eagle Scout accomplishment. Richards High School teacher Joyce Cruse taught Ritter in her Advanced Placement (AP) History class last year.

"She's a great student," Cruse said. "She is an extremely hard worker. She's positive. She's collaborative. She's also a good, kind person, which matters to me just as much. I think she's terrific."

Ritter isn't leaving her Troop anytime soon. She has obligations that run until she is 21 years old.

She also isn't the only girl in her Troop. According to Troop 618 Advancement Chairman Rita Egan, there are currently eight girls and 13 boys in Troop 618, and it's divided as Troop 618G for girls and Troop 618B for boys. While they do many activities together, they are considered separate units, Egan said.

Ritter joined Scouts BSA in 2020 after she said her Girl Scout troop dissolved.

Her Scouts experience has been transformative. She earned one of her merit badges after a field trip to a hospital, where she learned about jobs while watching healthcare workers. This experience inspired her to study diagnostic medical sonography. Her goal is to become an ultrasound technician.

"I figured that out about myself," Ritter said. "I can be a good leader. I like helping people."