MENU APPLY NEUMANN IN THE NEWS Freshman is First Female Eagle Scout in the State Published on: November 15, 2021 Share The rank of Eagle Scout within the Boy Scouts of America typically conjures up images of teenage boys. However, a female recently received this rank. She was the first to do it in the state of Pennsylvania, and she is also a first-year student at Neumann University. Angelina (Angel) Sims achieved Eagle Scout ranking last November and was honored on May 6, 2021. Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America. Since its inception in 1911, only four percent of scouts have earned this rank. Sims grew up surrounded by the scouting community. Her father is a Boy Scout leader, and her brothers, all six of them, are scouts. She recalls her father trying to steer her toward the Girl Scouts when she became interested in scouting, but she declined, knowing that her passion was with the Boy Scouts. “I just never liked it. I liked what my brothers were all doing,” explained Sims, a self-proclaimed tomboy. In order to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, Sims had to earn 21 merit badges and plan, organize, lead, and manage a service project before she turned 18. She decided to focus her project on the church where her troop had meetings, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Trinity in South Philadelphia. The church houses the Trinity Academy, a pre-school and elementary school. There was an overgrown lot on the property filled with trash, tree stumps, and rocky, uneven ground. “It was a deserted corner of the church’s property, and I turned it into an outdoor learning space for the kids,” Sims explained. “I wanted to help the kids that go to school there. The church was excited for me to do something outside.” The space now contains picnic tables, a library box, and level ground for the children to play. While this was a joyous moment for Sims and her family, not everyone supported her. “There was so much hate. People didn’t think girls should be allowed [in the Boy Scouts], and they wrote letters to the church about it,” Sims said. “They accused me of paper whipping, which means getting it faster. I just ignored it.” Sims is still involved with scouts and has formed an all-girl troop within the Boys Scouts. She is the assistant scoutmaster. Like Sims, most of the members have a brother in scouts and had a deep desire to join the scouts. An early education/special education major, Sims is from Collingdale, Pennsylvania. She attended Upper Darby High School and played softball until a knee injury sidelined her during her senior year. She has been rehabbing her knee and hopes to play for the NU softball team in the spring. GO BACK TO ALL POSTS RECENT STORIES What You Need to Know About Majoring in Nursing at Neumann University Majoring in nursing ... 5 Financial Aid Options Every Single College Student Needs to Know About Where should I start... INTERESTED IN RECEIVING WEEKLY TIPS AND ADVICE ABOUT STARTING YOUR COLLEGE JOURNEY? SUBSCRIBE NOW First Name* Last Name* Email Address* Program of Interest* Please Select Accounting Arts Production and Performance Biology Biology (Clinical Laboratory Science) Business Administration (Finance) Business Administration (Human Resources) Business Administration (International Business) Communication and Digital Media Computer Information Systems Criminal Justice Education (Early Elementary/Special Education) Education (Educational Studies) Education (Secondary Education) English Health Sciences (Exercise Physiology) Health Sciences (Pre-Athletic Training) Health Sciences (Strength and Conditioning) Liberal Arts Marketing Mathematics Nursing Political Science Pre-Chiropractic Pre-Engineering (with Drexel University) Pre-Law (3+3 with Widener University) Pre-Medicine Pre-Pharmacy (2+4 with Duquesne University) Pre-Physical Therapy Pre-Podiatry Psychology Social Work Sport Management Undecided STAY IN THE LOOP We can't wait to connect with you each week! QUICK LINKS About Us Academic Programs Accent Magazine Admissions Alumni & Friends Apply Now Athletics Book Store Campus Ministry Campus Safety Career & Personal Development Catalog Conferencing and Facilities Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Fast Facts Financial Assistance Giving to Neumann Guest Speakers ITR Help Desk Library Mission and Ministry News/Publications NIFS Parents ROTC Student Life Study Abroad Sustainability at NU Job Opportunities Visit Us One Neumann Drive Aston, PA 19014-1298 Phone: 610-459-0905 800.9.NEUMANN Privacy Policy Neumann University © 2021. All Rights Reserved.