Scioto County celebrated a historic milestone on March 21, 2026, as Jenna Jenkins was honored as the first female Eagle Scout in the county’s history. A founding member of Troop 7495G in Lucasville, Jenkins was recognized at a Court of Honor for achieving the highest rank in Scouting America, a journey marked by tenacity, leadership, and a commitment to service.
Jenna’s path to Eagle was defined by her ability to turn challenges into opportunities. After a frightening near-drowning incident at age six that resulted in an eight-hour ER visit, Jenna didn’t just learn to swim—she mastered the skill. She later convinced her middle school swim coach to teach her entire scout troop how to swim, ensuring they all passed their swim tests at summer camp, and eventually joined her school’s swim team herself.
Her Eagle Scout project further demonstrated her resilience. When her original plan for a dog park in Greenfield was halted by local political debates, Jenna pivoted quickly. She designed and constructed a massive 75-pound park sign for a newly revitalized park, complete with solar lighting and a flower bed. She coordinated donations from numerous local businesses and managed two work days to complete the installation.
Jenna Jenkins Eagle Scout journey is filled with impressive statistics and leadership roles:
- 236.5 hours of community service performed.
- 84 nights of camping and 37.5 miles hiked.
- Over 70 merit badges earned, including complex subjects like Robotics, Space Exploration, Welding, and Search & Rescue.
- Served as Senior Patrol Leader and was elected as the Order of the Arrow Kittan Wewopasasak Chapter Chief.
Scoutmaster Tricia Fullerton-Eichenlaub, who received a mentor pin from Jenkins, described her as “one in a million” and instrumental in educating both fellow scouts and leaders over the past two and a half years. Jenkins also served as a staff member for National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT), where she discovered a new level of confidence in public speaking and management.
Beyond her uniform, Jenna is a true “Renaissance woman,” involved in everything from varsity cheerleading and majorettes to playing the piano, clarinet, and oboe. Her mother, Vicki Jenkins, noted that Jenna’s troop has become a “sisterhood” where the scouts support each other in all aspects of life. As Jenna “flies high” into her next chapter, her legacy as a pioneer for young women in Scioto County Scouting is firmly established.
