Crosslin and Playfair were the first two female Cub Scouts to earn the Arrow of Light in the state of Tennessee. The Arrow of Light is Cub Scouts' highest rank, and this achievement enabled the girls to join Scouts BSA months earlier than typical. Because there were no female troops for them to join, they co-founded Troop 78, which was the first registered girls' troop in Middle Tennessee. St. George's Episcopal Church provided a meeting place for them, and Elmasry joined a year later. It was as part of Troop 78 that the girls set their sights on achieving the Eagle Scout rank.

To become an Eagle Scout, a person must meet several rigorous requirements before their 18th birthday, such as earning 21 merit badges, serving in a position of responsibility for their troop, and leading a service project that benefits the community.

"Scouting America is ultimately a leadership development program with a focus on service," said Crosslin. "A Scout's Eagle project is the culmination of what they have learned with a heavy focus on leadership and community service. Reaching this rank takes years of work and dedication."

For her project, Playfair partnered with First Tee of Tennessee, an organization that works with underprivileged adolescents to teach them life skills and golf. She built shelving in the VinnyLinks Golf Course donation room, which often floods. The new shelves elevate and organize the items so that donations stay dry.

"To achieve Eagle Scout, I earned more than 21 merit badges, had years of leadership roles, completed swimming and running tests, and finalized my Eagle Scout project," Playfair added. 

For Crosslin's project, she chose Tusculum Elementary because of her family's involvement in supporting the school through the years. She remembers helping her grandmother with food donation weekends, while her sister completed her Girl Scout Gold Award and her brother finished his Eagle Scout projects there. Crosslin built a library box to aid literacy in the community, and the outcome has had positive impacts on the school's outreach program.

Crosslin said she wanted the challenge of earning the Eagle Scout rank.

"Getting there tests everything about a person," she explained. "It involves problem solving, facing fears, and building friendships in the troop and heavily relying on each other." 

As a result of joining Scouting America later than most, Elmasry had a different experience. 

"I had much less time to get through rank and merit badge requirements before I turned 18," she shared. "The leaders in my troop made it clear that this would be a difficult task with very little time to spare, but that they would support me."

For Elmasry's project, she led a clothing drive for Coptic families in Egypt who continue to suffer religious persecution. She partnered with family friend and Franciscan Friar, Brother Ibrahim, who served as the beneficiary representative, and distributed more than 100 pounds of clothing to churches and families in need.

"I feel accomplished in what I have achieved, driven to continue to work for the sake of the community, and confident in my ability to do so," said Elmasry.

"I learned how to honor my country, be a true leader, and survive with nothing but a sleeping bag in the woods," said Playfair, who was excited to earn the rank after six years of planning, preparation, and experiences.

"I have grown a lot in many ways, and I know that I can face any challenge successfully," Crosslin added.

Crosslin and Elmasry both attributed their success to Troop 78. 

"Being one of the two co-founders of the troop with Izzie makes earning Eagle especially meaningful," Crosslin. "I'm proud that I had the opportunity to help pave a path for others while leaving a legacy."

"I am thankful for my experience in Scouting, and all the support I have gotten through it," added Elmasry.

Today, there are now more than 1,300 girls in the Middle Tennessee Council's program, and nearly 100 girls in the Council have earned the Eagle Scout rank.

Crosslin and Elmasry are parishioners of St. Henry Catholic Church, and Playfair is a member of St. George's Episcopal Church.