Finding Inner Strength--Eagle Scout

The path was not always paved with support. In the beginning, the troop faced criticism from those who believed scouting was meant for boys only. During trips to places like Camp Phillips in Rice Lake, Molly and her fellow scouts encountered leaders and other troops who weren't always welcoming. "The boys didn’t want us there, the leaders didn’t want us there," said Tracey Hansen, Scoutmaster for Troop 7444. However, Hansen noted that Goff had an "amazing ability to brush it off."

Goff’s achievement is statistically remarkable, placing her in an elite tier of student-leaders. While millions of youth participate in scouting, only about 4% to 6% of all Scouts ever reach the rank of Eagle. In 2023, a total of 29,269 young men and women across the country earned the award—a figure that represents just a small fraction of the total scouting population. For Goff, the accomplishment is even more historic; as a female scout, she belongs to a pioneering group that was only granted the opportunity to reach this peak starting in 2019. Since that time, over 5,000 young women have followed in the footsteps of the inaugural 2021 class of female Eagle Scouts.

For her Eagle project, Goff chose to beautify an aspect of the Badger Steam and Gas Engine Club grounds near Baraboo. She revitalized existing flower beds and designed a new bed around the front entrance sign. "I wanted to give back," Goff said. "Since it's mostly guys out there, I wanted to give back to some of the women being out there by improving the flower beds. Hopefully they like that."

Hansen observed a profound transformation in Goff during this time. Once shy and reserved, Goff found her voice. "I had the amazing perspective to watch her grow through leadership and learn how to lead through example; she found some inner strength in there," Hansen said. She specifically recalled a time at summer camp when Molly stepped in to lead the group during a difficult moment when kids were getting off task and losing focus. "Molly really stepped up—she fully stepped up and was like, ‘that’s enough, we need to straighten up.’ She didn’t shy away from that opportunity."

Goff said that scouting changed her for the best. "Before, I was very shy, and I didn't like talking to people at all," she says. "Being in scouts has helped me with my public speaking and just talking to people more and helping me out."

Mrs. Katie Huber, Goff’s science teacher at RAHS, said the scouting mentality has made her a pleasure to teach in the classroom. “ Molly's passion and dedication shine bright,” said Huber. “She exemplifies what it means to be resourceful and reliable.” 

The discipline required to navigate what Goff called "lots of paperwork" and the 21 merit badges required for Eagle has translated directly into Goff’s life as a student and worker. "Before, I was struggling a lot, not being able to get my stuff done," Goff said. "But now I'm pushing through and telling myself that I need to set my phone to the side and just crank it out. I get my stuff turned in way before the deadline and I feel really good about it."

That same grit shows up at her job at Pizza Ranch. "I get tasks and I'm supposed to do them, and I push through," Goff said. "I just keep going and I finish before everybody else. They’re like, ‘how do you do that?’ and I’m like, ‘I just know what I need to do and I get it done.’"

As she prepares to graduate, Goff leaves behind a legacy as a trailblazer for girls in Reedsburg scouting. For anyone with a dream like she had - of participating in scouts even before it existed for girls in Reedsburg - Goff said,  "Try to get out there and find something maybe that you just think you can do and start on it. You never know what will happen."