Two Athens County Eagle Scouts to travel to South Korea for World Scout Jamboree

Rising senior at Alexander High School, Ben Maskiell, son of Rich and Jen Maskiell, and rising sophomore at Athens High School, Isabelle Stowe, daughter of David Stowe and Melissa Myers, were selected to be part of the USA contingent at the 25th World Scout Jamboree in South Korea, Aug. 1-12.

According to the WSJ website, “tens of thousands of young people and leaders from 170 countries will share culture, experience, and friendship and put a concrete global citizenship into practice.”

For both Maskiell and Stowe, this journey will be the culmination of many activities and impactful leadership opportunities provided by Scouts BSA over the past several years.

For Maskiell, scouting started in first grade as a cub scout and he has since earned 51 merit badges, giving him five eagle palms. He is also a member of the Order of the Arrow, where he has earned the rank of brotherhood. In his troop (Boy Troop 53), he has served in a variety of leadership positions, most recently as troop instructor where he works with the newest and youngest scouts to help them learn basic skills. He also attended National Youth Leadership Training in 2021 and was named the Honor Patrol Leader, the scout that best epitomizes what it means to be a leader. The following year, he staffed NYLT. Ben has also spent the last two summers on council summer camp staff, last year as a nature assistant and this year working with first year campers; both years he received “Scoutmaster Shout Outs” where he has been recognized by various leaders for exceptional work, patience, and kindness.

As for Stowe, she started scouting with the BSA in fourth grade, when girls were first allowed to join and eventually became a member of the inaugural class of female Eagle Scouts in the US in 2021, and the first in this region of Ohio. She has served in many leadership positions in her troop (Girl Troop 236 out of Logan) and like Maskiell, is currently troop instructor.

Stowe too has earned the rank of brotherhood in the Order of the Arrow, and has held multiple leadership positions in this scouting National Honor Society. Recommended by her lodge adviser, she was invited to attend the National Leadership Seminar in 2022 and was ultimately asked to help pioneer the diversity, equity and inclusion movement at a multi-state event for which she earned the “Section Adviser Award” to recognize her clear communication and execution of the project. Stowe also attended National Youth Leadership Training in 2021 and ultimately staffed it the following two summers.

Both Maskiell and Stowe are looking forward to experiencing scouting on an international level at World Jamboree. Likewise, Rich Maskiell, also an Eagle Scout, will be making the journey as part of the international service team to work with scouts on scouting and science activities.