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As would any recent high school graduate, 18-year-old University of Kentucky student Emily Frederick is looking forward to her first year of college.

However, a recent accomplishment may eclipse that.

Frederick recently became the first Eagle Scout for Troop 562 and the first female Eagle Scout in Clark County history.

“It was kind of shocking at first,” said Frederick. “My message would be [that] you can do anything that you decide that you will make happen.”

A California native, Frederick came to Winchester with her family – including her brother – while still a youth.

After her brother, a long-time scout, joined a troop when she was in fifth grade, Frederick was first introduced to the organization.

In 2019, as a freshman in high school, she officially joined Scouts BSA as they newly allowed girls to become members.

“I really like the outdoor component,” she said. “I like the concept of nature walks that kind of snowballed into backpacking trips and going down to New Mexico.”

While Frederick continued many adventures, she rose through the ranks.

Eventually, as an older scout, she would be asked to take on more prominent roles.

“I didn’t intend to have a leadership position. I didn’t intend to really do anything other than just kind of enjoy the program”, Frederick said. “I was asked to step up, so I said, ‘Sure!’”

Though she would leave the troop she was initially a part of and join Troop 562, Frederick’s skills made for an easy transition.

She became well sought after as a result.

“I led more leadership trainings. I advised more”, Frederick added.

Afterward, Frederick would continue to provide leadership, becoming a part of the Order of the Arrow (OA), which recognizes scouts who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law on a daily basis.

Among other tasks during her time with Scouts BSA, Frederick has fixed camp platforms and set up tents despite torrential rains.

She looks toward even more in the future.

“There’s an amphitheater I might get to later this fall”, Frederick added.

In conjunction with her involvement in Scouts BSA, Frederick plans to pursue paths for helping individuals in other ways.

She will be studying biomedical engineering at UK starting this fall, with hopes to be involved in research and development toward finding cures for cancer or genetic diseases.

Recognizing that she is the first girl from Clark County to rise to the esteemed position of Eagle Scout, Frederick remained modest.

“Believe it or [not], I really don’t like being in the spotlight”, she said. “I don’t like to brag on myself, but it made me look back and see just how many people I have accidentally tripped into impacting.”

Asked what message she might have for other girls interested in Scouts BSA, Frederick offered hope and insight.

“I like the outdoors, and I like engineering and mathematics. Oftentimes, you have stereotypes that come with that”, Frederick said. “The biggest thing I like to say is that we should never limit the potential of a person just because of part of their identity.”