PHILLIPSTON — Abigail Bennett of Phillipston is the first girl in this area to attain Eagle Scout — the highest Boy Scout honor that girls can now achieve, too.
Maybe some of you readers were as surprised as I was when you learned that girls could join Boy Scouts. The rule changed in 2019, and Gardner, a city that has prided itself in supporting the Scout program for over 80 years, was quick to establish a troop for girls, Troop 7006. Girls from Gardner and the surrounding towns who wanted higher adventures and broader experiences than the Girl Scout program offered joined it. Abby is from Phillipston and was one of the founding members of the troop.
Abby said she loved Girl Scouts and the wonderful experiences her leader, Jennie Chace, organized. She said, “We had a great trip every year, even one to Amish country in Pennsylvania. The trips were fun and bonding.”
Abby took her Scouting seriously. She started as a Daisy when she was in kindergarten and achieved the Gold Award in 2016, Girl Scout’s highest award, but she longed to do the outdoor activities and learn the skills her brothers did in Boy Scouts … camping, sports, ice climbing, tying knots, archery, even shooting. She watched the adventures her older brother had as he climbed to Eagle and her younger brother, who is well on his way, so when the opportunity arose for girls to form a troop, she was ready and eager to join.
Troop 7006 is just for girls, but offers the same program as for the boys, same badges, same awards. Abby had to work very hard to rise to Eagle in three years, and she chose an Eagle project that was very unique, one inspired by the circumstances of the time — COVID-19. From her grandmother, Abby realized how she and lots of seniors were socially isolated and lonely. Abby decided she wanted a project that reached out to show caring. She decided to fill shopping bags with items that would bring joy and deliver them to seniors in her community. My husband, Gerry, and I were one of the households she served.
It was such a surprise last winter to see this bundled-up, masked girl walking down our path with a large bag. The mask hid most of her face but her smiling eyes were warm with friendship and caring. She stopped at the bottom of our steps to keep a safe distance and explained as part of her Eagle project she prepared some things for us to enjoy. What a pleasant surprise!
We thanked her and went inside to check out the contents. The first thing I saw in the bag was toilet paper, excellent choice, but there was lots more — hand sanitizer, masks, a granola bar, a puzzle, tissues, candy, a word game, a package of instant oatmeal, a pen, small pad of paper, and a delicious cider donut from the Red Apple Farm. It was fun unpacking one thoughtful gift after another. She called her project “Spread joy, not germs.” And joy she did spread.
Her Eagle Scout Court of Honor was held on July 31 when her mother got to pin the Eagle badge over her daughter’s heart. Scoutmaster Lynn Denette explained what a vital role Abby had as senior patrol leader in organizing the new troop, and Abby honored Lynn with the Mentor Award for the important impact she made in her life.
Rep. Susannah Whipps presented Abby with a citation from the State House and said, “The world needs more Eagle Scouts. They have all the qualities we look for in leaders.” Sen. Anne Gobi commended her for her caring Eagle project, “It was the year we needed a lot of TLC.” As she presented Abby a citation from the Senate, she said, “It’s nice to be first, but more important to bring others up after you.” Abby is already fulfilling that charge in her position as Assistant Scoutmaster where she is mentoring younger Scouts.
Abby was the valedictorian of her graduating class at Narragansett Regional High School. Along with music, drama, class officer, and academic achievements, Abby’s resume includes many caring and helping activities … student tutor in French, student advisory council, counselor at Phillipston Youth Summer Camp, Assistant Scoutmaster of her troop.
The sustainability merit badge she achieved in Scouting inspired her decision to pursue Environmental Science when she attends college at UMass in Amherst this fall.