MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Two scouts featured in the inaugural class of Eagle Scouts recognizing young women for the first time, were recognized by the Township Board for their hard work.

Autumn Eyre landscaped for the First Congregational Church in Laingsburg and Reagan Woods updated the youth room at the Okemos Community Church, as their Eagle Scout project.

“I think it’s awesome that we finally have the same opportunity that other people across the globe have had,” said Woods, a junior at Okemos High School. “Also just become Eagle Scouts, and kind of be recognized at that same level as the boys have been for this long period of time, I think it’s really awesome for us and younger girls to see.”

In February of 2019, Boy Scouts of America changed to Scouts BSA and officially allowed females into the organization.

“At this point, being an Eagle Scout now, we kind of are looked up to, I think, by a lot of the girls in the troop,” said Eyre, a senior at Laingsburg High School. “Now they have somebody who looks like them and is female and can teach them everything that we learned along the way.”

Meridian Township Treasurer Phil Deschaine is a former Eagle Scout and said the service project to reach Eagle status in the organization often requires over 100 hours of service.

“You’re blazing a trail for the rest of the young females out there and I’m very proud,” said Meridian Township Trustee, Courtney Wisinski. “You’re role models now.”

Meridian Township Trustee Patricia Jackson said her husband is a former Eagle Scout and expressed her gratitude to the girls for paving the path for other girls because it wasn’t available to her while growing up.