LONG VALLEY, NJ (Morris County) – The Morris County Board of County Commissioners honored two of Morris County’s first female Eagle Scouts this week during a Washington Township ceremony at which the teenagers were presented with official certificates of recognition as well as other awards for their accomplishment.
Kyra Lay and Kathryn “Katie ‘’ Sneddon, both of BSA Girl Troop 336 in the Long Valley section of Washington township, were honored Monday night, National Boy Scout Day, on the 111th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America, which was established Feb. 8, 1910. Boy Scout troops have existed in Washington Township since 1938, and the Boy Scouts of America began permitting girls to join two years ago.
This is the first year the rank of Eagle Scout has been bestowed on girls in the organization throughout the nation. The two Long Valley teens were among several female scouts in New Jersey receiving the rank, and the two were honored during a special outdoor ceremony at the Long Valley Presbyterian Church on Bartley Road, which sponsors Troop 336.
Morris County Commissioner John Krickus presented the Morris County certificates of recognition. Also presenting awards were Washington Township Mayor Matt Murello, state Sen. Anthony Bucco (R-25), Assembly members Aura Dunn and Brian Bergen (R-25), Morris County Sheriff James Gannon, the Knights of Columbus and the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Sneddon is a freshman studying Mechanical Engineering at the Rutgers School of Engineering. Lay is a West Morris Central High School senior with an interest in entering the U.S. Coast Guard Academy to study Marine and Environmental Sciences.
The rank of Eagle Scout is achieved by a scout completing special projects. Lay worked on the replacement of the Long Valley Presbyterian’s Manse front sidewalk. Sneddon worked on the construction of an information kiosk at Wawayanda State Park in West Milford.
