Molly Morgan, 18, is the first female Eagle Scout of the Scouts BSA program to hail from Mathews County. After over two years of hard work and two extensions to complete her Eagle rank, Morgan was awarded the title at her Feb. 14 Board of Review.
When Morgan joined Troop 1651 in December 2019, her goal from the beginning was to make Eagle Scout. She completed community service projects, earned merit badges, and held a church leadership position during her time as a Scout. Morgan worked with both Ware Episcopal Church, Gloucester, and BridgePoint Church, Harcum, as part of her Scouting duties.
“Molly joined Scouts BSA in late 2019 and worked doggedly to make rank and complete her merit badges, many of them during lockdown in 2020,” said troop leader Jacqueline Kilduff. “She attended National Youth Leadership Training in the fall of 2021 and completed her Eagle project at Ware Church in November 2021. Her flower boxes are filled with perennials that will hopefully adorn the altar at Ware Church beginning this spring.
“Troop 1651 hopes to see more young women achieve this award and applauds Molly for her effort,” said Kilduff.
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the BSA program was adjusted to a system where Scouts could earn badges virtually. Morgan earned over 10 merit badges during that time.
She planned her Eagle project in about two months’ time and had most materials donated by local businesses and community members. According to Morgan, Ware has wanted those altar boxes for a long time. She planted several different types of flowers including Dutch irises, daffodils and tulips, which are now starting to sprout.
“I like gardening a lot,” said Morgan.
While completing her Eagle requirements, Morgan also worked full-time at Chick-fil-A in Gloucester. In addition to being the first female Eagle Scout from Mathews, Morgan is also the first female Eagle of 2022 in the new Historic Triangle District of the Colonial Virginia Council.
Morgan is a founding member of Troop 1651 since she joined the year the troop was created. Now that she has completed her Eagle Scout rank requirements, she is an assistant Scoutmaster for the troop.
“I couldn’t be more proud,” said Morgan’s mother, Shelley Morgan.