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At La Conner High, where Samantha Davidson is a sophomore, student life is highlighted in the Pioneer yearbook.

In Davidson’s case, that is most fitting since she has achieved pioneer status in her own right.

Davidson, known to friends and family as “Sammy,” is the first girl from the tri-county Skagit-Whatcom-Island area to attain the rank of Eagle Scout.

It took Davidson just two years to earn that honor, the scouting world’s top achievement and one which is realized by less than five per cent of those who join scout troops.

“She became a scout in Scouts BSA on Feb. 1, 2019, the first day that females could be in a troop,” Davidson’s mom, Angela Peterson, told the Weekly News.

Her family encouraged her every step of the way – both on and off the many trails she has hiked with Troop 4056G based in Conway.

Peterson is the troop’s scoutmaster while Davidson’s brother, Alex, led the way as an Eagle Scout himself.

“He had been in scouts many years,” Davidson said. “I would often participate in his activities, such as hikes and camping. It was a lot of fun and made me want to join when I had the opportunity.

“Alex becoming an Eagle Scout and completing his project was a good example for me,” she added.

For his Eagle project, Alex Davidson put together a food cupboard for students in need of meals on weekends. Sammy Davidson’s Eagle project was construction of two benches for Little Mountain Parks in Mount Vernon.

Prior to building the park benches, Davidson earned 21 merit badges. Thirteen of those were required to earn the Eagle Scout rank.

"My favorites,” she said, “were the Leatherworking and Orienteering merit badges.”

Along the way, Davidson enjoyed the camaraderie upon which the foundation of scouting is laid.

“I feel like I have a lot of support from our troop,” she said. “Scouts feels like a second family. Everyone in my troop, both my peers and the adults, are supportive and help me.”

The same can be said of La Conner High, where Davidson is part of the school’s state championship volleyball program.

“All of us at La Conner High School are very proud of Samantha and look forward to more of our students following her lead,” said campus counselor Lori Buher.

Buher can relate more than most. She is a former scout leader and the parent of an Eagle Scout.

“I’m thrilled that Samantha accepted this challenge,” she said. “Becoming an Eagle Scout, in the best of situations, is a process that requires determination, intellect and skill.

For her part, Davidson sees scouting as an ideal pathway to the future.

“It has taught me so many skills, besides just outside skills, that I will be able to use,” she said. “The Family Life and Personal Management merit badges gave me knowledge of things I will use every day as part of my adult life.”

Davidson also credits scouting with helping her set college and career goals. Her plans include attending medical school.

Davidson’s ability to stay the course during the COVID-19 pandemic this past year is proof she knows how to navigate unforeseen roadblocks.

“Fortunately,” Davidson said, “there were opportunities for merit badges over Zoom that helped me complete the rest of the merit badges I needed to earn toward my Eagle rank. Usually, I would see my leaders and merit badge counselors at our troop meetings to get work signed off and get signatures for projects as well as in-person boards of review.

“All of this,” Davidson added, “had to be done virtually, which was often a challenge to coordinate with people and to get signatures.”

Hard work and determination became her own personal signature. Davidson crossed her final ‘t’ last week when her Eagle Scout rank became official.

“During the pandemic,” Peterson said, “Sammy has been able to continue with the scout program, completing merit badges and her Eagle Scout project and to finish her goal of being in the inaugural class of female Eagle Scouts.”

Davidson is one of just two girls within the North Puget Sound region – stretching as far south as Edmonds – to reach the Eagle Scout rank as part of that inaugural class. Thus far she is lone female Eagle Scout in Skagit, Whatcom or Island counties, which is considered the local scouting area.

“The fact that Samantha made this journey as a trailblazer for other girls and young women,” said Buher, “and her success becomes a very significant accomplishment.”