It was just February 1st, 2019 when female youth were invited to join Scouts BSA, the new name of the Boy Scout program for youth ages 11-17. Today, we are excited to announce the inaugural class of female Eagle Scouts in the Alamo Area BSA! These amazing youth have worked nonstop for the past two years, despite the numerous challenges they were presented. Their perseverance and dedication have led them to achieve the highest award for youth in Scouts BSA – the Eagle Scout award.
Scouts BSA youth Michelle Bourland of Troop 496, Angel Gonzales of Troop 2222G, Medwyn Guajardo of Troop 361, and Gayle Hende of Troop 346G will be one of the featured stories celebrated on March 18, 2021 during the Alamo Area BSA’s Virtual Brunch.
Michelle, Angel, Medwyn, and Gayle are also among hundreds of young women recently featured during a Virtual Be the Change live streaming celebration of service, leadership and the groundbreaking accomplishments of the first female Eagle Scouts in the nation. View the celebration here – http://www.scouting.org/BetheChange.
Young women have been part of Scouting for decades in co-ed programs offered by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), including Sea Scouts, Venturing, Exploring and STEM Scouts. The BSA expanded that legacy further in recent years by welcoming girls into Cub Scouts and then into Scouts BSA in February 2019. Scouts BSA is the program for youth ages 11 to 17, previously known as Boy Scouts. Since then, tens of thousands of young women throughout Texas and across the country have joined the organization’s most iconic program with many, including Michelle, Angel, Medwyn, and Gayle, working their way toward the rank of Eagle Scout.
‘Earning the rank of Eagle Scout takes hard work and perseverance, and we are honored to recognize Michelle, Angel, Medwyn, and Gayle for this significant accomplishment,” said Michael de los Santos, CEO / Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council.
“Along the journey to Eagle Scout, young people gain new skills, learn to overcome obstacles and demonstrate leadership among their peers and in their communities. These benefits are invaluable for everyone and we are thrilled that they are now available to even more youth,” continued Michael.
“I plan on helping ‘Be The Change’ by becoming an anthropologist…I want to better understand the past so that I can help to build a better future,” said Eagle Scout Angel Gonzales, Scouts BSA Troop 2222G
“I plan on helping ‘Be The Change’ by becoming a veterinarian and helping pets and families in my future,” said Eagle Scout Michelle Bourland, Scouts BSA Troop 496.
“I plan on helping ‘Be The Change’ by becoming a neurosurgeon and helping people heal,” said Eagle Scout Medwyn Guajardo, Scouts BSA Troop 361 and Venture Crews 360 and 357.
“I plan on helping ‘Be The Change’ by becoming a law enforcement officer and serving justice without being biased on any fronts,” said Eagle Scout Gayle Hende, Scouts BSA Troop 346G.
Eagle Scout is the program’s highest rank, which only about 6% of Scouts achieve on average. To earn it, an individual has to take on leadership roles within their troop and their community; earn a minimum of 21 merit badges that cover a broad range of topics including first aid and safety, civics, business and the environment; and they must research, organize and complete a large community service project.
Locally, 200 Scouts BSA youth attained the rank of Eagle in 2020 out of 3,139 Scouts BSA youth. The Alamo Area BSA currently serves 192 female Scouts in 17 all-girl Troops. Within all program offerings, over 2902 female Scouts were active in 2020 of the 13,975 youth served in the Alamo Area BSA’s 13 county service area. In fact, over 1.3 Million youth have been served by the Alamo Area Council since our chartered date of May 16, 1912.
In addition to gaining skills that last a lifetime, individuals who earn the esteemed Eagle Scout rank can reference it for academic, vocational, and military recognition, including scholarships and advanced enlistment grade.
Scouting makes the most of the little time parents have in positively impacting their children. To find out more about Scouting, visit www.AlamoAreaBSA.org/Join or call 210-341-8611.
About the Eagle Scout Award
Eagle Scout is the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Scouts BSA program of the Boy Scouts of America. Since its inception in 1911, only four percent of Scouts have earned this rank after a lengthy review process. The Eagle Scout rank has been earned by over 2.5 million youth.
To earn the Eagle Scout rank, the highest advancement rank in Scouts BSA, a Scout must fulfill requirements in the areas of leadership, service, and outdoor skills. Although many options are available to demonstrate proficiency in these areas, a number of specific skills are required to advance through the ranks—Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. To advance, a Scout must meet specific requirements ranging from tenure in a unit and leadership positions to the earning of merit badges.
About the Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council
The Alamo Area Council, BSA, headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, serves a 13-county area imparting the Scouting program to 14,000 youth and 3,500 volunteer adults in South Texas. The Boy Scouts of America continue to prepare young people for life by providing the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, utilizing outdoor activity, citizenship, and sports fitness. The Alamo Area Council manages over 1,280 acres of outdoor adventure for boys and girls from 5-20 years of age at three premier camps – Bear Creek Scout Reservation, Mays Family Scout Ranch, and McGimsey Scout Park. Learn more at www.AlamoAreaBSA.org.
About the Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America provides the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, which helps young people be “Prepared. For Life.®” The Scouting organization is composed of more than 2.1 million youth members between the ages of 5 and 21 and approximately 800,000 volunteers in local councils throughout the United States and its territories. For more information on the Boy Scouts of America, please visit www.Scouting.org.
