Megan Koslowski (center) with Troop 7 leaders Jenna and Jay Walsh.
ANSONIA — On May 24, Ansonia’s Megan Koslowski made local history by becoming Ansonia Troop 7’s first female Eagle Scout.
“I think becoming an Eagle Scout is pretty awesome and it proves that we (females) have the power to do anything,” Koslowski, 18, told The Valley Indy in a phone interview May 29.
Eagle Scout is the highest rank a scout can attain in Scouts BSA. Up until a few years ago, that rank was only available to males.
That all changed in 2017, when Boy Scouts of America – which has since rebranded to Scouts BSA – announced that females could join. The first girls joined in 2018.
In 2021, more than 1,000 females rose to become the inaugural class of Eagle Scouts in 2021, according to CBS News.
The Valley’s first female Eagle Scout was awarded in 2022 to Merlyn Neunteufel, of Venture Crew 33, a Scout troop in Derby, according to Troop 3 Scoutmaster Randy Ritter.
Koslowski’s Troop 7, which is run out of Holy Rosary Church in Ansonia, has about 10 female and 10 male scouts, according to Troop 7 leader Jay Walsh.
Jenna Walsh, Koslowski’s scoutmaster, said that Troop 7 formed in 2019 after BSA allowed females to join.
“I remember when I was younger, going to my brothers’ Scout meetings, summer camp and other events and said, ‘Why can’t I do that, too?’” Koslowski said.
How She Earned Her Eagle Scout Status
In order to earn Eagle Scout rank, Koslowski not only had to earn the required 21 merit badges – which represent a myriad of disciplines including citizenship, first aid, preparedness, personal management, family and physical fitness – but she had to plan, lead and complete a community betterment project.
Koslowski chose to help the Catholic Men’s Bocce Ball Club at Holy Rosary Church by building four wooden benches to place around the bocce court. She also cleaned up the court and the church grounds.
“When I was growing up, my grandfather was a carpenter and we always made birdhouses and benches together, so I knew I could do it,” she said.
Koslowski also had to demonstrate leadership, budgeting and scheduling skills by recruiting a team of fellow scouts to assist with the project. She said that, between planning, paperwork, cleaning, and the construction itself, the project took a couple of months to complete.
Koslowski’s achievement was celebrated on May 24 during the Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony held at Holy Rosary Church. During the ceremony, she presented Jay Walsh with a recognition pin for his mentorship. Koswlowski said he relayed good advice and help anytime she asked for it.
“Jay really pushed me to make sure I got all my paperwork done and handed it in before my 18th birthday,” she said, adding she would’ve “aged out” and not have been eligible for Eagle Scout rank if Walsh didn’t encourage her.
Jay Walsh said he was proud to see Koslowski push herself to earn the Eagle Scout rank.
“Me being an Eagle Scout, I know how it feels to accomplish that,” he said. “I was very happy and probably pushed Megan the hardest. When she had problems or didn’t know what to do next, she came to me, and I helped Megan stay on the trail.”
Koslowski’s scoutmaster Jenna Walsh said she, too, couldn’t be more proud.
“We are absolutely ecstatic to share in Megan’s accomplishments,” she said. “She worked very hard to achieve her goals and complete her Eagle rank. It’s been a privilege to join her on her journey and to help her through the trials and tribulations that brought her to where she is today.”
What’s Next?
Koslowski, who is class president at Emmett O’Brien Technical High School and a member of the National Honor Society, graduates on June 13. She’s planning to pursue a business degree in college, with the hopes of opening her own bakery/café someday.
She knows the Eagle badge is something that will only enhance her future.
“I’m really thankful to have earned this badge because it stays with you your whole life,” she said. “I’ll carry the ideals of an Eagle with me: to be honest, have courage and be the best leader you can be. I’m actually a very anxious person and the whole idea of leading a bunch of people for my project was a little nerve-wracking.”
Koslowski thanked her former Girl Scout Troop 60135, the Seymour Lions Club and Holy Rosary’s Ladies Guild for donations they made to her project. She’s also thankful to her parents, Michele and Robert, for giving her guidance and the kickstart she needed to stay with Scouting for more than a decade.
“My husband and I are extremely proud of Megan’s achievement, she had a goal in mind and made it happen,” Michele Koslowski told the Valley Indy via email. “Witnessing Megan complete her Eagle Scout project was so inspiring to me. I watched how much she grew as a leader; she showed initiative and motivated others she led on the project site. She represents trustworthiness and loyalty and always puts God and family first.”
