ELLERBE — Lexie Wyke made history this weekend as the first female in Richmond County to attain the rank of Eagle Scout.
Wyke, a member of Troop 4092, took the oath Sunday afternoon at Ellerbe First United Methodist Church, with several other Scouts in attendance.
Eagle is the highest rank offered to young members by Scouts BSA.
Several years ago, girls were allowed to join the Boy Scouts, although the associated Explorer posts were made co-ed in 1969, according to the BSA website.
Wyke said she has been a member for about three years and had been in the Girl Scouts when she was “really little.”
She rose through the ranks, even joining the Order of the Arrow.
Assistant Scout Leader Charlene Wallace said when she met Wyke and discussed the Scout’s goals, “…clearly she was aiming for Eagle.”
“We were up against a ticking clock to get her to Eagle in time and we needed to start work immediately,” Wallace recounted, saying that some requirements hadn’t yet been signed off.
Wyke was in the budgeting process for her initial idea for a project when it was determined that it wasn’t feasible, and didn’t reflect her or her talents, according to Wallace.
For her Eagle Scout project, Wyke — with help — made and donated 30 crocheted baby blankets and gift bags for the Pee Dee Pregnancy Resource Center to distribute to new mothers.
“I crochet as a hobby and I really wanted to make that into something I could do for the project,” Wyke said.
Wallace said Wyke was able to complete her project — which required recruiting help, soliciting donations — in addition to taking a full load of courses at Richmond Community College, working, volunteering for community service and attending Scout meetings.
Wallace read several testimonials from those who received the blankets.
Not only is Wyke the first female Eagle in the county, but she’s also the first for the Uwharrie District, according to District Executive Melissa Ewing.
Nearly 1,000 girls attained the rank nationwide in early 2021 after becoming eligible.
Wyke said she plans to become a teacher and also major in psychology.
Following the ceremony, four other scouts received rank advancements and merit badges. Wallace, along with Anson County’s Richard Tamura and Perry Johnson, were also honored with the Silver Beaver Award for the Central North Carolina Council. Wallace was awarded this year, Johnson in 2020 and Tamura in 2019.
