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Date: 6/22/2022
SOUTHAMPTON – Abby Thibodeau has done what no other boy or girl has ever accomplished in Western Massachusetts. The 17-year-old has earned the rank of Eagle Scout in Boy Scouts and the Gold Award in Girl Scouts. They are the highest ranks that can be achieved in each organization.
“I wanted to show the other little girls in the community that this is possible. It’s something we can do now. I’ve become a mentor to girls in scouting because I’ve been around for so long. I’m the oldest girl in the troop,” she said.
Thibodeau had to successfully complete one major project for each award. She earned Eagle ranking by spearheading a move to refurbish a 1/8th mile long fence at Hampshire Regional High School in Westhampton.
Thibodeau organized and led a team of 20 people who power washed, scrubbed, sanded and stained the fence red, Hampshire Regional High School’s school color. Before anyone began working on the fence, Thibodeau had to develop a project plan, enlist and organize volunteers, identify supplies and get the school to pay for them.
“I don’t think I’ve fully processed earning Eagle yet. It’s such a big thing and to be a part of that group of people who have done this before, it feels pretty good,” she said.
As if that wasn’t enough, Thibodeau also set her sights on achieving Girl Scout Gold. To achieve this highest award in Girl Scouts, Thibodeau ran a campaign to build two large steel umbrellas that provide shade for students and teachers in the playground at Norris Elementary School in her hometown of Southampton.
Once again, Thibodeau developed project plans, researched several designs and went before the Town Meeting to request $16,000 to fund the project. She said asking for that much money was “scary.”
“I didn’t have much public speaking experience so having to go in front of the town and ask for this large sum of money was intimidating. It turned out well in the end. I was just nervous because I didn’t know what I would do if they didn’t agree to it,” she said.
The Town Meeting approved her request, paving the way for Thibodeau to order supplies and work with the town’s highway department to build the umbrellas.
“Along the way there were a lot of ups and downs caused by COVID-19. Being able to overcome those problems and still come out with an extremely successful project that would benefit my community was a really good feeling,” she said.
Thibodeau will enter her senior year of high school next year. She was ranked number two in her class going into her junior year. Along with earning stellar grades, Thibodeau also stage manages a musical and two plays each year for her high school’s drama company.
“It’s a lot sometimes, but what I have to do is look at my schedule and manage my priorities,” she said.
Her mother Cathy said she enjoys watching her daughter work hard and achieve great things.
“We’re so thrilled and proud of her. It’s hard to have it all sink in. it’s been such a long journey,” she said.
Thibodeau hopes to study outdoor education when she goes to college – and when she leaves town, she willl know she’s left her community a bit better off than it was.
“I wanted to help the town become a better place for everyone,” she said.