Girl Scout Gold and Eagle Scout Awards
Girl Scout Gold and Eagle Scout Awards
Santa Margarita Catholic High School applauds Eagles who received the rank of Eagle Scout and the Girl Scout Gold Award. Congratulations to Katie Pfeiffer '24, Theodore Le '24, Paul Pitino '25, Kyle Tran '24, Nalin Aurora '27 and Reagan Murray '25.
Katie Pfeiffer
Troop 274
Favorite Scouting Memory
Leading Trolley Caroling at Christmas - every year, dozens of Girl Scout troops from Orange County take turns riding the Laguna Beach trolleys around town while caroling to spread Christmas cheer.
Scout Project
Halloween Haven - I focused my Gold Award project on creating a welcoming and inclusive Halloween environment. Working with Walmart and Women In Film, I spear-headed Halloween Haven, a Halloween-themed party filled with activities and games devoid of the typical loud, eerie music and jump-scare pranks. Everything from the auditory and visual ambiance to the texture of the food was lovingly designed to minimize stimuli overload. One event was Trunk-or-Treat, which I chose because decorated trunks have fewer flashing lights and quieter music than people’s porches. The kids could visit as many or as few “trunks” as they wanted before returning to crafts and pumpkin carving.
Scout Project
I have a sensory processing disorder that causes me to have heightened sensitivity to external stimuli. Holidays that many look forward to can be a source of discomfort for me. Halloween is one such holiday. When I was younger, I felt isolated from all of my friends because they could go trick-or-treating and attend boisterous parties...and I would stay behind. Remembering how left out and excluded I felt, I sought to change this experience for kids with similar sensory issues by creating a fun Halloween that didn’t cause sensory overload.
Total hours spent on this project
Over 250 hours
Why did you want to achieve this rank?
My Gold Award Project was close to my heart, and I thought it was the perfect way to close out 13 years of scouting and serving my community.
Were there other noteworthy activities you would like to share?
Every year, I was the top cookie-seller in my troop. In 2020, I earned my Silver Award for revitalizing and rebuilding Savannah’s Garden in Aliso Viejo, which was created to honor a deceased child with cancer. In 2017, I earned my Bronze Award for creating a Sea Life.
Theodore Le
Troop 105
Favorite Scouting Memory
Camporee camp competition against other troops.
Scout Project
The carport was built at a local temple.
Why was this particular project chosen?
I wanted to help somewhere of significance in my life, so I reached out to my local temple to ask if they needed anything
Total hours spent on this project
126 hours
Why did you want to achieve this rank?
To be a good influence on my peers and those in my community
Paul Pitino
Troop 818
Favorite Scouting Memory
My favorite Scouting memory is going to summer camp.
Scout Project
Demolished old planters and built new ones at the St Junipero Serra kindergarten playground.
Why was this particular project chosen?
It was chosen because I graduated and my youngest brother attends school there.
Total hours spent on this project:
21 hours hours
Why did you want to achieve this rank?
I wanted to achieve this rank because it was a goal I set when I was younger.
Kyle Tran
Troop 105
Favorite Scouting Memory
My favorite memory was going to Irvine Ranch Outdoor Center, camping the weekend, and enjoying activities with my friends.
Scout Project
I made four donation boxes for my local religious center.
Why was this particular project chosen?
I learned a center near me was actively looking for available scouts to help contribute.
Total hours spent on this project
210.5 hours
Why did you want to achieve this rank?
At a young age, I was inspired to achieve my eagle rank; plus, I thought the full uniforms looked cool.
Nalin Aurora Troop
Troop 727
Favorite Scouting Memory
My favorite scouting memory is the first time I went to Camp Chawanake. I was sitting on a rock with some older scouts, just talking about life and fishing.
Scout Project
Raised 7000 pounds of food for RSM Cares
Why was this particular project chosen?
This project was chosen because, at first, my scoutmaster offered it, and I took the opportunity. But when I volunteered at RSM Cares to package food and serve it to people, I saw the struggle in our community, so many people were having, and then I felt a need and purpose to complete this project and raise as much food as possible. When I was serving meals to people and I met them face to face, it changed my mentality about the project I was about to complete, and the urge to help these people ignited in me.
Total hours spent on this project:
215
Why did you want to achieve this rank?
I wanted to achieve this rank because it’s the most prestigious rank in scouts and I wanted to be the one to earn it. My troop pushed the idea of Eagle Scout since I first joined and that served as guidance and not losing sight of my vision. Many of my mentors in scouts were also achieving the rank of Eagle and I wanted to join them among their ranks. As I continued through scouts throughout the years, I saw this rank's importance. It encapsulates scouts meaningfully; it represents the holistic journey of scouts from becoming a scout to earning Eagle and all the different struggles and life lessons scouting offers. Each rank you earn offers more responsibility for you to take on as you continue through your journey, building you up over the years to complete a project that you can call your own. I also wanted to achieve Eagle for my family; they have put so much time and effort into my journey and my success that I felt it was my duty to complete scouting and show them the benefits of their sacrifice. I thoroughly enjoyed scouts as they shaped the young man I am today and the one I will become through their unforgettable memories, lessons and struggles.
Were there other noteworthy activities you would like to share?
Leadership positions in Scouts include Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, scribe, outdoor ethics guide, patrol leader, troop guide, patrol grubmaster and patrol quartermaster.
Outside of scouting, I have been learning piano for the past eight years and playing water polo for SM.
Reagan Murray Troop
Troop 113
Favorite Scouting Memory
My favorite scouting memory was rock climbing in Joshua Tree.
Scout Project
I held a book drive with the goal of collecting age-appropriate books in English and Spanish to enhance literacy among students at a local Title I elementary school. After collecting and leveling the books by grade, I hosted a free book drive where students could select books to build their at-home libraries. I exceeded my goal of 3,000 books and collected over 6,500. The book fair was a huge success, and I was able to donate to other underserved groups, including foster children living at Orangewood Children’s Home.
Why was this particular project chosen?
By collecting and providing books to those with limited access, I sought to empower young minds and create opportunities for educational growth. I believe that access to a wide range of books is essential for intellectual development and future success. I specifically chose San Juan Elementary School because of its large population of second-language learners. This is especially important to me because my Nana came from Cuba as a teenager and did not speak English until she learned it in middle school.
Total hours spent on this project:
Me: 191.5, total: 462.5
Why did you want to achieve this rank?
It’s been a goal of mine to reach the rank of Eagle Scout since I started Cub Scouts in kindergarten.
Were there other noteworthy activities you would like to share?
Scouts is a great way for boys and girls of any age to learn survival skills and basics like meal planning, budgeting and cooking, which translates into useful skills in everyday life.