Ross teen becomes 1st female Eagle Scout in McCandless troop

Anna Yacoviello is the first female to earn the rank of Eagle Scout for local Boy Scout of America Troop 9329, based out of Memorial Park Church in McCandless.

She is also the first female Eagle Scout in the Seneca District, which includes troops in the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh.

Eagle Scout is the highest rank that a Boy Scout can attain — only 6% to 7% of Scouts achieve the rank. Only about 2.5% of Eagle Scouts are girls.

Anna, a senior at North Hills High School, became a member of the all-­female Troop 9329 when it was founded in October 2020. The Boy Scouts of America amended its organization to allow scouting troops for girls in 2019. Memorial Park Church charters both Troop 9329, as well as the all-male BSA Troop 329, founded in 1945.

While girls and boys both can be Boy Scouts, the organization requires that the troops operate separately based on gender.

She said she was a little jealous of her younger brother when he joined Cub Scouts.

“I was a Girl Scout when I was younger,” said Yacoviello, 17, of Ross. “But it wasn’t really my cup of tea, with all of the arts and crafts. I like arts and crafts, but I wanted something more. When my brother Matthew joined Cub Scouts, I was a little jealous because he got to learn how to build fires, tie knots and all these other skills.”

She celebrated her Court of Honor Eagle Scout ceremony on Oct. 3 at Memorial Park Church, after obtaining the required 21 merit badges and successfully planning and carrying out a community service project.

“I really liked all of the hard work and everything I had to learn to become an Eagle Scout. It definitely prepared me for my future,” Anna said.

Julie Yacoviello is Troop 9329’s Scoutmaster and Anna’s mother.

“As a parent, I didn’t think I’d be as emotional when she passed her board of review. She really worked really hard. At scouting events, people don’t really know she is my daughter. There isn’t any favoritism,” Julie Yacoviello said.

Anna Yacoviello is the third female Eagle Scout for the Laurel Highlands Council, which covers areas in Western Pennsylvania, Western Maryland and parts of West Virginia, according to Katie James, spokeswoman for Memorial Park Church.

A service project is considered a final step when pursuing an Eagle rank, and it’s no small feat. A scout must present a project proposal that benefits an organization outside of scouting to his or her unit’s council or district. It’s similar to creating a business plan, said Julie Yacoviello, who is a special education teacher at Shaler Area High School.

If approved, a scout may perform the project, which can include collaborating with the organization he or she serves, researching funding needs, devising an action plan and leading other scouts or participants to complete the work, she said.

An Eagle Scout board of review decides whether it was successful and can approve the scout for Eagle rank.

Anna wanted to focus on mental health awareness for her service project, utilizing the Positive Painting Project. She had two years to complete her work, her mother said.

“A lot of Eagle Scout projects involve an outdoor place or library, and they build something,” Anna Yacoviello said. “I wanted to do something that really spoke to me and had a meaning to me.”

The Positive Painting Project was created in honor of Pittsburgh-area student Katie Whysong, an avid art student, who lost her battle with depression in 2021, according to the nonprofit. It asks groups or individuals to paint pieces of art, which are screen-printed with positive, supportive messages and then displayed.

Anna organized a schoolwide painting event at her high school, screen-printing more than 400 canvases and installing 100 pieces throughout the building. The project provided more than 329 service hours.

The artworks were hung in bathrooms because students tend to go there to be alone, especially if they’re going through a rough time, Anna said.

“I think it went amazing. Many people came and painted,” Anna Yacoviello said.

She said the goal was to increase conversation and decrease stigma associated with mental health issues, use art to send positive messages of hope and belonging to those struggling with mental health, identify support and provide resources to those feeling alone or hopeless.

Scouting builds character and skills in leadership, communication, time management, first aid and good citizenship. As scouts advance, the requirements get more involved and the expectations are greater, Julie Yacoviello said.

“Going through the ranks takes a lot of work.”

Troop 329 was receptive the creation of Troop 9329, which now has 12 scouts, Julie Yacoviello said.

“Everyone was so incredible and welcoming. You just fit right in,” said Anna Yacoviello, who competes in the Junior Olympic Archery Development program.

Jasun Stanton, committee chair for Troops 329 and 9329, said the troops hold joint troop meetings every Monday and participate in the same outings and activities throughout the year.

Anna Yacoviello will age out of scouts when she turns 18 at the end of December. But, she hopes to help as a volunteer.

“It is an amazing organization to be part of, especially as a girl. You gain so much confidence in yourself. I 100% recommend it,” she said.

“One of the lessons I’ve really learned is never give up, never stop trying. Never stop pushing, even when people tell you that you can’t. You have to respect people’s opinions, but not let it affect how you carry on.”