Emily Gruenewald had her Induction Ceremony Sunday July 27 at the American Legion Post 487 in Chester
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – Chester High School graduate, Emily Gruenewald, has become the first girl in both Chester and the entire Randolph County to area to reach the highest level in the Scouting of America program. The rank of Eagle Scout is that highest level and Gruenewald received her official title at her Eagle Scout Ceremony Sunday July 27.
Emily Gruenewald of Chester was inducted into the rank of Eagle Scout Sunday July 26 at a ceremony held at the American Legion Post 487 Hall. With the completion of her Eagle Scout requirements, Miss Gruenewald became the first girl in the City of Chester as well as the first girl in the entire Randolph County area to accomplish the goal of becoming an Eagle Scout with the Scouts of America. She is the daughter of Kenneth and Kendra Gruenewald of Chester. She is a member of Troop 8347G. The girl’s trop is associated with the boy’s group Troop 8347B in Chester. Jim Beers Photo
The ceremony was held at the American Legion Post 487 Hall in Chester. Friends family and fellow scouting members gathered to honor Emily and help her celebrate the occasion. The Chester America Legion was her Troop 8347G Charter Organization Representative, so it was especially appropriate that her ceremony was held at that location.
The Boy Scouts of America designation is what most people think of when they think of Eagle Scouts. According to her Scout Master, Kendra Gruenewald, who also happens to be her mother, in 2017, when girls were allowed to become involved in scouting, the organization changed its name from Boy Scouts to Scouting of America.
Boys and girls attend meetings together, but boys are designated as TroopB while the girls group is designated as TroopG. They actually function as one entity, however, and share one common Scout Committee. The TroopB Scout Master is Randy Werner. The TroopG Assistant Scout Master is Kenneth Gruenewald, Emily’s father.
Emily Gruenewald of Chester takes the Eagle Scout Oath under the direction of Scout Master Randy Werner to become the first girl in Chester or even Randolph County to become an Eagle Scout. Her ceremony was Sunday July 26 at the American Legion Post 487 in Chester. The Chester American Legion is the Charter Organization Representative for Troop 8347G and Troop 8347B in Chester. Jim Beers Photo
Emily’s Eagle Scout Ceremony began at 3:30 p.m. with a delicious meal of fried chicken, mostaccioli, green beans, water melon, garden salad, a wide variety of beverages, and topped-off with a beautifully decorated Eagle Scout sheet cake with red, white, and blue icing.
After a wonderful meal, the official Eagle Scout Ceremony began, under the direction of Randy Werner. Scout Master Werner welcomed everyone to the ceremony and noted that out of all Scouting of America members, only approximately 4 % reach the rank of Eagle Scout. The percentage of girls that reach that pentacle is even less.
Werner praised Miss Gruenewald for achieving that highest rank and even more impressively being the “ONLY GIRL” in the City of Chester and the entire Randolph County area to reach the Eagle Scout rank.
The ceremony began with the Presentation of the Colors, led by the Senior Patrol Leader, who directed the Scouting of America Color Guard. As everyone stood, the scouts then led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Candidate Emily Gruenewald’s older brother, Alex Gruenewald, who is also an Eagle Scout, read the “Voice of an Eagle Lighting Ceremony.” This presentation by Alex was quite impressive and emotional.
Scout Master Randy Werner served as Master of Ceremonies and had Miss Gruenewald come forward, as she was the center of attention as well as being the Eagle Scout candidate. It was Miss Gruenewald’s wish to have three mentors speak on her behalf. She noted that all three had had a major influence in her development and helped guide her journey to become an Eagle Scout.
The first mentor was Ridge Fogerson, her Youth Pastor at the First Baptist Church in Chester. Rev, Fogerson spoke on her behalf. He said that Emily had the utmost character and demonstrating good leadership and service characteristics. He stated that Emily always lends a hand to everyone and is always polite, but most of all, “She is a follower of Jesus.”
Amy Mathis, another member of Emily’s church family, stated that Emily is always considerate of senior citizens as well as little children. Miss Gruenewald always includes everyone at church and even helps out with the nursery. She is kind, respectful, and a great example to others in the community.
The final mentor to speak on Emily’s behalf was Montana Rose-Fogerson, another FBC member and a strong influence in Miss Gruenewald’s life. She noted that Emily is a joy to watch and that she is a great leader. Emily is very deserving of the honor of becoming an Eagle Scout. She is dedicated, persuasive, and hard working. Mrs. Fogerson also noted that Emily is committed, has good character, and treats other people well.
Following the mentor’s recommendations, Scout Masters Randy Werner and Kendra Gruenewald lectured on the “Requirements of an Eagle Scout” and the “Importance of Leadership”.
Both recommended that Miss Gruenewald is highly suited in both categories and well qualified. Alex Gruenewald then read the “Responsibilities of an Eagle Scout”, after which Scout Master Werner led Emily through the “Eagle Scout Pledge” and she very seriously took the “Oath of an Eagle Scout”.
Miss Gruenewald was then officially an Eagle Scout. Scout Master Randy Werner presented Emily with a wide variety of pins and certificates after which Emily presented her mother and father with “Parent’s Pins.”
A very heart-warming presentation was then made by Emily Gruenewald to her main mentor. Emily brought forth her older sister, Elizabeth Gruenewald, and presented her with the “Mentor Pin” for being her key mentor and for always being there for her throughout her life. It was a very special moment in the ceremony.
Before closing the ceremony, Scout Master Werner, made the official presentation of Certificates and a Statue to Miss Gruenewald. She then thanked everyone for attending her Eagle Scout Ceremony and called for the Senior Patrol Leader to retire the Colors.
Emily Gruenewald (right) poses for a photo with her parents Kenneth Gruenewald (left) and Kendra Gruenewald (Middle) Sunday July 26 at her Eagle Scout Ceremony. Mrs. Gruenewald is the Scout Master for Troop 8347G (the girl’s group) and Mr. Gruenewald is the Assistant Scout Master for the Girl’s Troop. Emily had just taken the Oath for becoming an official Eagle Scout. She is the first girl in either Chester or Randolph to complete the Eagle Scout requirements and become an Eagle Scout. Jim Beers Photo
When asked for her comments and feelings about what she had just accomplished, Miss Gruenewald said, “For my Eagle Scout project, I made and installed 180 Veteran’s Blocks for the Chester Evergreen Cemetery. The blocks mark the graves of veterans who died either in actin or from natural causes.”
It was a bigger project than I anticipated, and the cost was much more than I originally planned, but I believed that the veterans deserved to be located easier and that their service to America was worth the added work and expense.”
Miss Gruenewald also noted that she was very proud of her accomplishment. “I am very proud! Especially considering that only about 4 % of scouts ever reach the goal of becoming an Eagle Scout. The number is even lower when looking at the rate for girls.”
“I have really been around scouting for many years prior to joining the Scouting of America Program in 2017. My father, Kenneth and brother Alex both were heavily involved so as a little sister, I was hanging around all of the Boy Scout Programming for those early years. I believe my years of exposure to scouting add up to 16 or so years.”
Emily graduated from CHS in May of 2026 and will go to Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville in the fall. She will study to be a Social Worker and wants to dedicate her career to working to make the lives of children better.