Kimi Nelson ’23 among the first girls in the nation to earn Eagle Scout rank
By Scot Allen
Kimi Nelson ’23, a Mid-Pacific sophomore, is part of a history-making cohort of young women who make up the inaugural class of female Eagle Scouts this year.
Nelson was required to earn at least 21 merit badges to earn the rank of Eagle. She earned 46 badges.
To achieve the rank of Eagle, Scouts also have to plan, coordinate and complete an Eagle Scout project. Nelson and Construction Battalion Maintenance Unite 303 built an 85-foot sidewalk for patients with disabilities at Fisher House, Tripler Army Medical Center.
She overcame several challenges to complete the project. Beyond immersing herself in the technicalities of concrete and marshaling the efforts of family and volunteers, Nelson faced challenges that are familiar in these pandemic times —adhering to COVID-19 guidelines and reaching people who did not answer their emails.
Although girls have been a part of the Sea Scouts and Venturing program for decades, they have only been allowed to join the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts of America since 2018. Since then, thousands of females have joined the Boy Scouts.
Nelson joined the Scouts Boy Scouts of America on the first day girls were admitted on February 1, 2019.
“Earning the rank of Eagle Scout takes hard work and perseverance and we are honored to recognize Kimi for this significant accomplishment and for continuing to find opportunities to serve the community, despite the pandemic,” said Jesse Lopez, Aloha Council Scout Executive.
The Eagle Scout rank represents a milestone of accomplishment. Those who have earned the Eagle Scout rank count it among their most treasured achievements.
Nelson is part of a Scouting family, following in the footsteps of her father and brother Reagan ’21 who are both Eagle Scouts.
“I joined scouting because I had already been involved with my family and enjoyed it,” she said. “I thought, ‘now I actually get to do all the stuff that they get to do.’”