SJM_SouthernExposure_0521_SouthernExposure_11_08 5 / 14 / 21 2 : 22 PM Page 1 + + + + + GO FIGURE SPOTLIGHT INSPIRATION HIT OR MISS ANSWER THIS NAMES TO KNOW SouthernExposure SPOTLIGHT he Boy Scouts of America has been around for 111 years , yet recently one Collingswood middle school FIVE student involved with the organization has done something that no other scout ever has . Her name is Emelia Bergstralh and she has become not only one of the BILLION first female Eagle Scouts in the country , but at 12 years old , she’s also the youngest . T The amount of grant money available through Bergstralh is a member of Troop BSA 67 in Haddon Heights a new program set up by the Small Business and she has joined rare company with her latest accomplishment . Administration to help businesses and nonprofit Roughly only 6 % of Scouts ever reach this highest rank , which requires the accumulation of 21 merit badges groups that have been hit hard by the pandemic . and a large service project . What’s even more impressive is that just two years ago none of this would have been possible as girls have only recently been able to join the Scouts . The amount After tagging along to her younger brother’s meetings and soaking up the knowledge , she wasted little of money it cost time hitting the ground running . She joined a Cub Scout pack in Audubon and completed all the requirements to have Jon for Webelos and earned the Arrow of Light — the highest award in Cub Scouts — in less than a year . She then Bon Jovi wish a $ 500 Happy Mother’s transitioned to her current troop and set her mind on achieving the Eagle Scout honor . Day to a loved one . The Jersey rocker part - For her service project , Bergstralh set plans in nered with Cameo to spread the well wishes motion to renovate a pavilion in Knight Park that is lo - and raise money for The Roots Fund nonprofit . cated just steps from Collingswood Middle School , where she attends sixth grade . The pavilion had been vandalized and was in desperate need of refurbishing . She added some fresh coats of paint and some land - scaping elements to the outside to help dress up the $ 1,000,000 site and make it more welcoming for the community . The amount of a winning Powerball lottery “ I’ve lived in Collingswood all my life , and I’ve ticket sold by Township News Center in been living across the street from Knight Park for the last five years . Every time I would go to the pavilion , I Burlington Township . would see graffiti , and the side that faces the pond was flooded and looked atrocious . It was clear the pavilion needed some help and I thought I could make that difference , ” says Bergstralh . Her father , David , is also her assistant troop master and has been blown away by his daughter’s 7 determination and resolve . Million “ Emelia said in a speech to Scout executives a few years ago that she would not be the first , nor the last , but she would work hard and someday become an Eagle Scout . To see her work through a global pandemic Dollars to reach her goal is testament to her fortitude , positive attitude and perseverance ; all those qualities that make an Eagle Scout . She has earned this award . We are amazed , humbled , honored and , of course , very , very proud The cost of a new family center and arcade to of her , ” he says . open up at the Showboat Resort and Conven - tion Hotel in Atlantic City . In addition to the Now that she’s an Eagle Scout , Bergstralh is even more determined to keep pushing the boundaries of state’s largest arcade , the venue will also what’s possible in life and she hopes to inspire a future generation of young ladies along the way . house a sports bar , a boxing ring , an e - sports “ I think being young shows that girls my age can join Scouts and accomplish major achievements . . . . gaming area and places for live music . Even if they don’t make Eagle Scout , there is so much Scouting has to offer and I think everyone can learn something and have a good time doing it , ” she says . 7,873,861 INSPIRATION The latest number of statewide vaccinations as of press time . President Joe Biden has said Collingswood resident Patrick he hopes to have 70 % of the population Rodio held his second annual y vaccinated with at least one dose by July 4 . h yearbook run earlier this month . grap The event raises funds to buy Photo yearbooks for seniors at ore Collingswood High School and Mo a this year approximately 30 partici - $ 100,000 rick pants joined him to complete E f The increase in the average price of a single - o y laps around Knight Park . Rodio es family home in New Jersey . The red - hot real rt himself ran 21 miles and cou estate market with more buyers than inventory together the group has raised hoto has helped fuel the surge . $ 2,000 to put toward yearbooks . P SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume 18 issue 2 SouthJerseyMagazine.com 12 |