Thursday, October 1, 2026
Three local young women were recognized for achieving one of the highest honors in Scouting, as Abigail Guiheen, Nina Munafo and Alexa Kosinski were formally awarded the rank of Eagle Scout during a ceremony held at Holy Name of Mary School in Valley Stream.
Their accomplishment is especially significant given that only about 4 percent of Scouts nationwide reach the Eagle Scout rank, and fewer than 2 percent of those Eagle Scouts are girls.
“The program has not been watered down by anything; it hasn’t been made easier,” Guiheen said. “It’s still an amazing accomplishment. But I just hope this shows girls that you can do it. And if this is something that you would like to do, you should do it. Because every moment that we’ve had in scouting and every memory that I’ve had in scouting has made this journey well worth it.”
The ceremony marked a milestone not only for the three Scouts, but also for Troop 99, Scouting America, the all-female troop to which they belong. Girls were first allowed to join Cub Scouts in 2018, followed by the rebranding of the Boy Scouts of America’s older youth program as Scouts BSA in February 2019, which opened the path for girls to earn the Eagle Scout rank in separate, gender-specific troops. Even years later, all-female troops remain scarce, making the presence and success of Troop 99 particularly notable in the Valley Stream area.
Guiheen, 18, of Malverne, joined in 2022 while she was a sophomore in high school. She currently attends Loyola University Maryland and is a graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Manhasset. Guiheen’s path to Scouting was shaped by family tradition, as she grew up surrounded by the program through her brother’s involvement and her father, who is also an Eagle Scout. After completing her time in Girl Scouts, she decided to pursue Scouts BSA when the opportunity became available to girls.
Guiheen’s Eagle Scout project focused on environmental protection and water quality in the Village of Malverne. Her project involved identifying approximately 250 storm drains and attaching educational markers, including “Do Not Dump” stickers and pet waste medallions, to raise awareness about how storm drains connect directly to local waterways. The initiative was designed to discourage pollution and highlight the impact of everyday actions on marine life, reflecting her long-standing interest in environmental conservation.
Munafo, 16, of Lynbrook, is a junior at Valley Stream South High School. She joined in 2019, the year the program opened for girls.
“I wanted to do more outdoorsy things, and I saw all the stuff that my brother is doing in Boy Scouts,” Munafo said. “So, when the troop started, I tried to join as soon as I could, and I started as a Webelo and bridged over.”
Munafo’s Eagle Scout project took place at Holy Name of Mary Church in Valley Stream. Behind a statue of Mary on the church grounds, an outdoor gathering space that had been heavily used during the COVID-19 pandemic had fallen into disrepair. Munafo organized efforts to clear overgrown vegetation, remove trees, plant rose bushes and install pavers, transforming the area back into a welcoming community space. The project aligned closely with the needs of the parish and reflected her connection to the church community.
Kosinski, 17, of Valley Stream, is a senior at Valley Stream South High School and will attend Vassar College next year. She joined in 2019 after being encouraged by Munafo. Like the others, she had previously been involved in Girl Scouts and was drawn to the opportunity to learn new skills and take on new challenges.
Kosinski’s Eagle Scout project centered on creating a pollinator garden at a senior living facility in Lynbrook, where she had volunteered for several summers. Through the project, she combined environmental stewardship with community engagement by involving residents in hands-on activities such as planting flowers and decorating garden elements.
“I got close to the residents, and I realized that a lot of them not only missed their old lives before they moved in, but they also talked a lot about their old flower gardens and vegetable gardens,” Kosinski said. “I’m also very environmentally conscious, and I really have a passion for working with the environment and so I wanted to combine those two things.”
All three Scouts credited the guidance of Scoutmaster Lisa Burke and Committee Chair Pat Burke for helping them navigate the demanding Eagle Scout process. They also highlighted the importance of Troop 99’s supportive structure, particularly given the challenges of balancing school, leadership responsibilities, project planning, and extensive documentation within a limited time.
Beyond the projects themselves, the Scouts emphasized that the journey to Eagle Scout helped them develop leadership, confidence, organization, and communication skills. Their experiences included managing teams, working with adults in formal settings and leading peers in outdoor and community activities.
Their achievements underscore both the rigor of the Eagle Scout requirements and the expanding opportunities now available to girls through the program. For Troop 99 and the broader Valley Stream community, their success stands as a milestone in the continuing evolution of Scouting.
