Hopkins Students Earn High Scouts Honors for Service

This past month, three Hopkins students received high honors from the Connecticut branches of the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. Lena O. ’25 was awarded the Gold Award—the highest achievement in Girl Scouts—while Layla K. ’25 and Zal M. ’25 earned their Eagle Scout rank and were celebrated at their Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Both honors represent dedication, leadership, and service to the community.

Lena earned the Gold Award by designing and leading a project that aims to have a lasting impact on the local community. After completing the Bronze and Silver levels and contributing over 80 hours of community service, she launched an educational art program at a local retirement community. Only 5.4% of eligible Girl Scouts earn the Gold Award, and Lena is one of just 35 recipients in Connecticut this year. The official award ceremony will take place on June 8.

Layla and Zal received their Eagle Scout Badges at the Eagle Scout Court of Honor, a ceremony recognizing their commitment to Scouting. The Eagle Scout rank is the highest achievement in Boy Scouts, similar in prestige to the Girl Scouts' Gold Award. Each led a service project with meaningful community impact: Zal restored and rebuilt structures along a local hiking trail, while Layla constructed a gazebo at a retirement community. Both are members of Troop 51—Zal as a founding member and Layla as the first girl to join when the Boy Scouts opened to female members. She is also the troop’s first female Eagle Scout.

Congratulations to Lena, Layla, and Zal on their hard work and achievements!