Marblehead’s Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Troop 79G recognized recent Marblehead High School graduates, Zoe Gast and Katie Jenkins, with a Court of Honor ceremony celebrating their achievement of the highest rank attainable in the BSA program and becoming the area’s first female Eagle Scouts.
“Today marks a historic milestone for BSA Troop 79G as we celebrate our first Eagle Scouts, Katie Jenkins and Zoe Gast,” said Jen Stoddard, Troop 79G Scout Master. “Their achievement is a testament to the resilience, dedication, and leadership that define the spirit of scouting. It’s a proud moment that underscores the importance of inclusivity as well as the vital importance of empowering young women, providing them with opportunities for leadership, personal growth, and outdoor adventure.”
The girl’s division of Troop 79, which was started back in 2019 by Jenkins and others, has become home to over 20 young women under the leadership of Scoutmaster Jen Stoddard since its founding. Since their founding, Gast, Jenkins, and other scouts have been camping across New England, led backpacking trips to intensive hiking and camping destinations such as Philmont Scout Reservation in New Mexico, and have given back to the community through service projects.
Gast’s Eagle Project focused on contributing to the Prison Book Program of Quincy, which provides books for the 2 million people in the nation’s prisons and jails to expand education materials for the incarcerated. She officially received the designation of Eagle Scout upon the completion of this project in April of last year, but chose to delay the ceremony to be recognized at the same time as Jenkin’s, as they had traveled their journey together.
Gast graduated from Marblehead High School in June 2023. She is a Florida State University freshman focusing on International Affairs. She is the second Eagle Scout in the Gast family. Gast’s great-grandfather, Stanley Vanderbeck, received his Eagle Scout rank on December 26, 1932, in St. Joseph, Michigan.
Jenkin’s Eagle Project was a drive collecting supplies and preparing gift bags for the transitional housing residents at the Centerboard Salem State Shelter, which has been housing families since 2022.
Jenkin also graduated from Marblehead High School in June 2023. She is currently a freshman at Scripps College in California, where she is studying psychology.
Today, in Boston’s Spirit of Adventure Council there are 47 Female Troops made up of just over 900 scouts. To date, only just over 50 have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Across all of the BSA, only 6 percent of all Scouts achieve BSA’s highest rank. Scouts must earn 21 merit badges, which require mastering basic skills in areas such as first aid and environmental science.
Troop 79G meets Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. at The Clifton Lutheran Church, 150 Humphrey Street in Marblehead. For more information, contact Del Babineau at dmbabineau@verizon.net.