Tri-Cities Teens Make History as First Female Eagle Scouts

Two Tri-Cities teens will make history on February 8th, as they become two of the country's first female Eagle Scouts coming out of the Blue Mountain Council. It's an achievement

Kennewick's Kendalyn Bybee joins Celeste Blair of Richland to be honored in the inaugural female class of Eagle Scouts in an online event, "Be The Change" on Sunday, February 21st, at 5 pm.

According to Brett Bybee, CEO of the Blue Mountain Council of the Boy Scouts of America:

“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.”

Blair joined Scouts BSA on the very first-day registration became open to young women. She's a straight-A student at Three Rivers Homelink and took first place in her grade division at the Washington State Science and Engineering Fair. For Blair's Eagle Scout service project, she worked with a nature preserve on a conservation project aimed at supporting the declining local bee populations. The group raised 3,000 marigolds from seed and distributed them to a local neighborhood. They also distributed an educational "bee-friendly" flyer with the flowers.

For Bybee's Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project, she joined several volunteers in constructing a garden shed for the City of Kennewick to help beautify and educate the community about plants, while providing leadership growth for Scouts. Bybee's project took 243 hours to complete along with monetary and material supplies donated from
local Rotary clubs and area businesses.

Eagle Scout is the program’s highest rank, which only about 6% 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 and complete a large community service project. Those requirements are exactly the same for both young men and young women.

Bybee and Blair will be honored in the inaugural female class of Eagle Scouts online event, "Be The Change" on Sunday, February 21st, at 5 pm.

Congratulations to these OUTSTANDING Tri-Cities teens, Celeste Blair and Kendalyn Bybee!  You've made us proud!