More than 100 Eagle Scouts have emanated from Troop 128, sponsored by St. John’s Episcopal Church in McLean, since the troop was founded nearly a century ago.
Until April 11, all have been male.
But that changed in a Court of Honor ceremony in which Rishika Singh, a member of Girls Troop 128, became the first in that troop to achieve Eagle Scout status.
The 15-year-old has been a member of the girls troop for three years, ever since the girls’ component was founded. Her mother, Seema Singh, serves as Scoutmaster.
Singh is a freshman at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology. Her Eagle Scout project involved creation of pads that are used to assist children undergoing cancer treatment who are not able to walk on their own. The effort was coordinated with Inova Schar Cancer Institute.
Her long-term goal is to become a cardiologist or oncologist.
Singh’s involvement in Scouting began when she would accompany her brother, Amrit Raj Singh, to his Cub Scout activities. As soon as girls were allowed to join Boy Scouts of America, she signed up.