Topeka student earns rare Eagle Scout award 

TECUMSEH (KSNT) -One local girl is the latest to earn the Boy Scout of America's highest honor since the organization became co-ed four years ago.

Kaitlyn Aldridge joins the 6% of Boy Scouts to earn the Eagle Scout Award. Since allowing the Boy Scouts of America to become Co-Ed in 2018, about 1,000 girls have earned themselves the highest advancement award within the organization, the Eagle Scout Award. 

Aldridge of Tecumesh, KS has just earned the highest advancement award. She is one of only approximately 6% of all Boy Scouts have attained and accomplished the Eagle Rank according to Scoutmaster Alma Smith. 

This award is presented to candidates who earn 21 merit badges, and successfully complete a community, church or synagogue-related service project to earn their badge and title of an Eagle Scout. 

Aldridge took on a massive project of renovating the “Big Kids playground” at Jars of Clay Children’s Center as this was a place that was meaningful to her. 

“Both my brother and I attended Jars of Clay for preschool. I know the struggle my parents had with the pea gravel that was used for ground cover, saw that I had a sandbox but my brother didn’t and knew there was an opportunity to create large motor skill games on the sidewalk,” Aldridge said. “It was a huge project that took more than 40 volunteers and over 380 hours of community service to complete. But seeing the kids’ smiles when they play on the playground make it all worth it!”

Not only is Aldridge a part of the Boy Scouts of America and a member of the “ORder of the Arrow and Tribe of Mic O Say” honor societies, but she is also very involved as a freshman at Shawnee Heights High School. She is a part of the Future Farmers of America Association, avid member of student council, competitive swimmer with her school and Topeka Swim Association, and cheering her school on as a cheerleader. 

Aldridge will be recognized for her achievements on Sunday, April 21.

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