COLUMBIA COUNTY'S FIRST FEMALE EAGLE SCOUT - GABRIELLA COONS!

Scouting America Troop 2752, chartered by Cadby-Shutts VFW Post 7552- Hillsdale, NY is excited to announce Columbia County's first female Eagle Scout.  Copake resident and Taconic Hills High School Freshman Gabriella Coons (14) successfully completed her Eagle Scout Board of Review on Monday, December 22, 2025. 

The Eagle Scout Board of Review is the final requirement in a scout's journey to the rank of Eagle Scout.  The rank of Eagle Scout requires a youth to advance through all of the ranks Scouting America has to offer, be active their troop, hold a leadership position in the troop, earn a minimum of 21 merit badges (14 required and 7 elective), provide personal references and a statement of life goals/purpose to the board and plan, develop and provide leadership in an approved service project that is "helpful to any religious institution, any school, or your community." 

Gabriella's project was to install a gazebo and prayer space that commemorated the service of our local veterans.  During the fundraising stage of the project Gabriella was able to raise over $12,800 in donations from local residents and businesses.  While the initial location of this project was planned to be at some newly acquired VFW land in the Town of Copake, local permitting, zoning board and planning board issues resulted in the project being moved to the Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church in Copake Falls.  Church officials and the congregation were very excited and instrumental in moving the project along by securing the required site plan review and permit required to bring this project to fruition.  The project was officially completed on November 29, 2025. 

In addition to earning her Eagle Scout Rank, Gabriella will also be awarded 4 Bronze Eagle Palms, 4 Gold Eagle Palms and 3 Silver Eagle Palms.  Eagle Palms are awarded for every 5 merit badges earned over the 21 required for Eagle Scout.  Gabriella has earned 80 merit badges as of the date of her Eagle Scout Board of Review, one shy of a 4th Silver Eagle Palm.  Eagle Scouts can continue earning more palms until their 18th birthday.

written by Donald Coons, Jr. 

Scoutmaster 

Troop 2752- Hillsdale, NY

Congratulations to Gabriella for such a huge achievement!!