Reno Teen Set to Soar as One of the Nation’s First Female Eagle Scouts

Sophie Schler of Reno made history on November 12, 2020 when she became one of the nation’s first female Eagle Scouts – a prestigious achievement attained by some of the country’s most noteworthy figures. Miss Sophie Schler is among hundreds of young women who will make up the Inaugural Class of female Eagle Scouts.

“Earning the rank of Eagle Scout takes hard work and perseverance, and we are honored to recognize Sophie for this significant accomplishment,” said Paul Penttila, Scout Executive and CEO for the Nevada Area Council. “Along the journey to Eagle Scout, young people gain new skills, learn to overcome obstacles and demonstrate leadership among their peers and in their communities. These benefits are invaluable for everyone, and we are thrilled that they are now available to even more youth.”

Young women have been part of Scouting for decades in co-ed programs offered by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), including Sea Scouts, Venturing, Exploring and STEM Scouts.

The BSA expanded that legacy further in recent years by welcoming girls into Cub Scouts and then into Scouts BSA last February, 2019. Scouts BSA is the program for youth ages 11 to 17 previously known as Boy Scouts.

Since then, tens of thousands of young women throughout the Nevada Area Council and across the country have joined the organization’s most iconic program with many, including Sophie Schler, working their way toward the rank of Eagle Scout.

“I decided to join Scouts BSA because of all of the great opportunities that I saw my brother experience in both Cub Scouts as well as Scouts BSA. Not only has Scouting given rise to my love for the outdoors, but I have also learned countless leadership and life skills.” Sophie S.

Eagle Scout is the program’s highest rank, which only about 6 percent of Scouts achieve on average. To earn it, an individual has to take on leadership roles within their Troop and their community; earn a minimum of 21 merit badges that cover a broad range of topics including first aid and safety, civics, business and the environment; and they must research, organize, lead, and complete a large community service project.

“My Eagle Scout project was a floating fishing dock for the Maison T. Ortiz Camp, a youth camp located near Pyramid Lake. I attended this camp in the summer of 2014, and fell in love with the outdoors. This dock will allow more youth to experience the fishing station, and have the chance to catch their first fish! From this project, I was able to bring both youth and adults together to accomplish a goal.” Sophie S.

The final step of achieving the rank of Eagle Scout is to go before a Board of Review. Sophie’s Board of Review was held on November 12, 2020. The panel approving the rank was made up of experienced and prominent women in the community such as Nevada Assembly Majority Leader Teresa Benitez-Thompson and Former Nevada State Treasurer Patty Cafferata.

Assembly Majority Leader Teresa Benetiz-Thompson about Sophie, “She is kind, determined, and a testament to the fact that all people can embody scout values.”

The next Eagle Board of Review for a young woman in Northern Nevada will occur in a few weeks and includes Nevada Supreme Court Justice Pickering, and Eileen Way, the first female Scoutmaster in Reno from 1988.

In addition to gaining skills that last a lifetime, individuals who earn the esteemed Eagle Scout rank can reference it for academic, vocational, and military recognition, including scholarships and advanced enlistment grade.

About the Nevada Area Council
The Nevada Area Council, BSA was granted a charter by the National Council, Boy Scouts of America in 1924 and charged with the responsibility of organizing and supporting successful Cub Scout Packs, Scouts BSA Troops, Varsity Teams, Venturing Crews, Explorer Posts and Learning for Life Groups within its 101,355 square mile geographical boundary. Our boundary includes northern Nevada and northeastern California.

About the Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America provides the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, which helps young people be “Prepared. For Life.®” The Scouting organization is composed of more than 2.1 million youth members between the ages of 5 and 21 and approximately 800,000 volunteers in local councils throughout the United States and its territories. For more information on the Boy Scouts of America, please visit www.Scouting.org.