By Robin GOLDSWORTHY

Emelia Lagousis, 14, entered the world of scouting just a few short years ago and since then has earned 31 merit badges, two National Outdoor Awards and is making her way toward reaching the rank of Eagle. She did this as part of Troop 360, an all-girl Scouts BSA (formerly Boy Scouts) troop based in San Marino. Troop 360 is the first and only all-girl troop in San Marino, and the largest in the council, according to its website.

“She did much of it during COVID,” said her mother Kendra. “She kept at it during COVID and had no one doing it with her. She was a little timid to do this by herself; it can be hard for young people to try something new.”

Emelia even went to the Newport Sea Base without any other Scouts to complete her National Outdoor Award for aquatics – a grueling task that included being in the water over 83 hours with an additional 55 hours on the water.

A major component of earning the rank of Eagle is successfully executing a project that benefits a religious organization, school or the community. At the Aug. 13 monthly breakfast hosted by American Legion 288 and VFW Post 1614 at Verdugo Hills Memorial Hall where Emelia’s grandfather, Don Thompson, is a member she made a presentation on her journey through scouting that culminated with her proposed Eagle project: building needed railing at part of the Hall.

Showing their support at the Aug. 13 meeting were fellow Scouts from her troop – all clad in blue shirts – along with Kendra, scoutmaster of Troop 360, and Emelia’s dad Ted.

The monthly breakfast ended up being more of a pancake fundraiser for Emelia’s Eagle project; she needed funds to purchase all the equipment to build and paint the rails.

The experiences that Emelia has had since joining Scouts are something she will carry with her for the rest of her life.

“She’s grown so much from the program; she completed national youth leadership training camp last year – over 200 hours were volunteered to be on staff at youth leadership training this year,” said Kendra. “Scouts is an amazing program that more young people should be involved in.”