Scottsburg, Indiana honors its first female Eagle Scout in Boy Scouts of America

SCOTTSBURG, Ind. (WDRB) -- The town of Scottsburg, Indiana, has its first female Eagle Scout. That's the highest honor that can be achieved in Boy Scouts of America.

It's a life-long dream come true for Elizabeth "Lizzie" Denison.

"I'll be honest, I cried a little at my ceremony," Lizzie said. "I grew up going to my younger brother's Cub Scout meetings."

Her father, Joe Denison, was a huge supporter of scouting. He passed that passion down to his seven children.

"He was never in boy scouts, but he always wanted to be," Lizzie said.

When he passed away, the Denison family made a promise that one of his children would reach the highest Boy Scout honor: Eagle Scout. Less than 4% of scouts earn this award.

More than a decade passed without any of Lizzie's brothers achieving the honor. However, in 2019, Boy Scouts of America decided girls could join.

"I realized I could fulfill that promise," Lizzie said.

On October 30, 2024, she became the first Lady Eagle Scout in her town.

"We surround each other in love," Lizzie said about her family. "They are all very proud of me, and I would definitely believe that my dad's proud of me."

That's not the only way she's honoring her family. Her younger brother was nonverbal for several years.

"I remember going to the park with him when he was younger," Lizzie said. "We would end up leaving because he would just start screaming. Nobody could figure out what he wanted. I hated not being able to communicate with him."

He inspired her Eagle Scout Project. It's a Picture Exchange Communication, or PEC, board. It's at Lake Iola Park in Scottsburg, and it allows nonverbal children to point at pictures to communicate.

"A kid can go up and point to the 'I want' or the 'I need' and be like 'I want to slide,' or 'I need water,'" Lizzie said.

She may have started this journey for her father, but along the way, she realized she wanted to get Eagle Scout for herself because she was having so much fun.

Lizzie hopes others will see the PEC board and realize all parks need a communication system for those who can't always use their words.

"I want to be a beacon of light and hope to others," Lizzie said.

She plans to present her PEC board to the Scottsburg community on Nov. 17 at Lake Iola Park at 3 p.m.

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