East Hampton Teen Wins Prestigious Spirit Award From Boy Scouts for Work with Southampton Police

SOUTHAMPTON, NY - An East Hampton teen has received major accolades for her work with the Southampton Town Police Department.

Southampton Town Police Explorer Sergeant Ashley Simons was awarded the Spirit Award from the Boy Scouts of America on Thursday.

Ashley, who attends East Hampton High School, was chosen from the Explorer entries to the Boy Scouts due to her work within the Explorer program, Southampton police said.

Ashley was one of the original members of the Southampton Town Police Explorers, which kicked off in September, 2014.

"During her initial interview to enter the program she showed the interview panel what an extraordinary young woman she is," Southampton police said in a release. "Ashley manages a full academic and sport schedule as well as volunteers at her local library, serving and assisting our veterans, and volunteers and assists her church."

In addition, Ashley studies Chinese.

Once she was accepted to the program, Ashley immediately set up the Southampton Town Police Explorers Facebook Page and assisted in designing the Post Patch, police said.

In addition to bi-monthly meetings, Ashley 's responsibilities included attending community functions with the police department.

She also arranged a coat drive this past winter.

"An opportunity arose for the Explorers to promote a sergeant and she was chosen out of the candidates who applied," police said. "Ashley has shown her dedication to the program and her innovative ideas have helped expand the program and raise valuable funds needed to continue the Southampton Town Police Explorers. We are all very proud of Ashley’s accomplishments and have no doubt this young woman will continue to do great things," Southampton police said.

For additional information on how to join the Southampton Town Police Explorers, contact Lt. Susan Ralph at sralph@southamptontownny.gov or 631-702-2247.