Vienna Girl Among First Female Eagle Scouts In U.S.

VIENNA, VA — A Vienna girl is joining the first female Eagle Scouts, the highest rank of the Scouts BSA program after girls became eligible to achieve the Eagle Scout rank in October. Katie Hunter, a Vienna resident, is expected to be among the first female Eagle Scouts inaugurated in February 2021.

On Oct. 1, Hunter completed her Eagle Board of Review, the final requirement for the rank of Eagle Scout. A 13-year-old student at Thoreau Middle School, she joined Boy Scouts of America in February 2019 as one of the founders of Girls Troop 987. The Girls Troop is the sister troop of Boys Troop 987, which is sponsored by Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Hunter and four other local girls — Sarah Johnson, Annelise Sienknecht, Abby Elkowitz, and Victoria Spafford — were among the first girls in the U.S. to join the Scouts BSA program after they were allowed starting in February 2019.

Chris Hunter, Katie's father and the Scoutmaster of Girls Troop 987, shared a statement in support of the girls.

"I am very proud of all of our girls. They have not only founded a new Troop, but they have created a template and a culture for the generations of girls that follow," he said. "Of course, I'm particularly proud of my daughter, Katie, for this singularly remarkable achievement."

As the sister of two Eagle Scouts, Jeffrey and Jack Hunter, Katie Hunter was up for the challenge. She completed the requirements for the Eagle Rank in 20 months, which is considered the minimum possible time for completion. The requirements include earning at least 21 merit badges, serving leadership positions in the Troop, and completing an extensive service project planned, organized, led and managed by the Scout. An Eagle Scout must also demonstrate Scout Spirit, described as an ideal attitude based upon the Scout Oath and Law, service, and leadership. Hunter earned 26 merit badges, served at the Senior Patrol Leader of Girls Troop 987, and led a service project at Bailey's Elementary School where her mother teaches. In that service project, she led 50 Scouts and adults to beautify the school campus with 36 planter boxes over two days of work.

Since the inception of the Eagle Scout rank in 1911, four percent of Scouts have achieved that rank. Over 2.5 million youth have earned the rank in history.

Hunter was recognized by her Troop at a Court of Honor in Nottoway Park on Oct. 10. She is also expected to be the National Capital Area Council's "Eagle of the Week" this week. Aside from continuing Scouting, Hunter plans to complete a trek at the Philmont Scout Ranch, Scouting BSA's premiere High Adventure Base. She also hopes her success can inspire other girls, especially local girls who want to join Girls Troop 987.

For more information on the Troop, visit www.troopwebhost.org/Troop987Vienna.