Montgomery teenager earns highest rank in both Girl and Boy Scouts

Erin Nolan, Times Herald-Record
·3 min read

MONTGOMERY – Lia Grammer might just be the first person in the entire Northeast to earn the highest rank in both Boy and Girl Scouts.

The 18-year-old was named an Eagle Scout by the Boy Scouts of America in July, and had earned the highest honor in Girl Scouts, the Gold Award, in 2019. The ceremony recognizing her accomplishments in Boy Scouts was held late last month.

Lia Grammer wears her full Eagle Scout uniform in May 2022 in Montgomery, NY.
Lia Grammer wears her full Eagle Scout uniform in May 2022 in Montgomery, NY.

While the Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts organizations say they don't have access to each other's records, Hudson Valley Boy Scouts leadership confirmed that they're not aware of another young woman who has reached this double acomplishment. Grammer is, however, one of two young women to be named the first female Eagle Scouts in Orange County, according to Boy Scouts' Greater Hudson Valley Council. A young woman from Maybrook acheieved the rank of Eagle at the same time Grammer did.

“Scouting has taught me so much, and it's part of who I am today,” Grammer said. “I'm so glad for the experiences I've had through both Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts."

Grammer first joined Girl Scouts when she was in kindergarten and said she decided to join the Boy Scouts in February 2019, not long after the organization started accepting girls.

“At that time I was at the end of earning my Girl Scout Gold Award, and I really enjoyed Scouting and wanted to continue on. I love learning more."

For her Eagle project, Lia Grammer organized and led over 30 people to make 56 fleece blankets for Hospice of Orange and Sullivan. This picture was taken at the end of the work day in March 2021 after all the blankets were finished.
For her Eagle project, Lia Grammer organized and led over 30 people to make 56 fleece blankets for Hospice of Orange and Sullivan. This picture was taken at the end of the work day in March 2021 after all the blankets were finished.

Grammer said she and a few other young women joined Boy Scouts together.

To earn her Gold Award in Girl Scouts, Grammer partnered with her church — Westminster Presbyterian Church in Rock Tavern — to transform the former fellowship hall into a “teen community room.”

"I redid the entire room — painted the walls, put in furniture, and made it into a sort of game room," she said.

Now that room is used for youth group gatherings, bible school, and as a space for teens to gather after services.

To be named an Eagle Scout, Grammer organized an effort to make and distribute 56 blankets and personalized greeting cards to those under the care of Hospice of Orange and Sullivan County.

"My grandpa was there maybe 10 years ago," she said. "It has a special place in my heart because of them taking care of him."

Grammer said she is extremely proud of herself for her Scouting accomplishments.

"But it's not just about winning this award." she said. "It's also about helping my community and people who mean something to me. Being able to help my community and also be recognized for it is great."

Grammer said she enjoyed her time in both Boy and Girl Scouts and encouraged interested girls to join the Boy Scouts and pursue the rank of Eagle Scout.

"I am so grateful for the Boy Scouts of America for allowing girls to come in, and I hope girls definitely take advantage of this opportunity because it was an amazing experience and I definitely learned a lot from it," she said. "I just encourage everyone to try it."

Grammer is headed into her second year studying packaging science at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Erin Nolan is an investigative reporter for the Times Herald-Record and USA Today Network. Reach her at enolan@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Montgomery girl earns Eagle Scout rank through Boy Scouts of America