Female Scouts build dozens of flagpoles for Sahuarita community

8th grader Maddie Comstock led a group of Scouts and adults to fill 15 flagpole bases and assemble 26 flagpoles along Rancho Sahuarita Boulevard in time for Pearl Harbor Day to earn Eagle rank.

On a mission to earn her Eagle rank, the highest award in Scouting, female Scout Maddie Comstock, 14, captained a team of 20 fellow Scouts and adults on Sunday to add new flagpoles and bases, replacing those that were damaged in time for Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Fifteen new flagpole bases and twenty-six flagpoles now line Rancho Sahuarita Boulevard from Club Rancho Sahuarita to Anza Trail School. Engineering Technician and Scoutmaster, John Garcia, who served as Maddie’s mentor for the project, has overseen the ongoing series of Sahuarita flagpole Eagle Scout projects since 2010. With Maddie’s additions, there are now over 200 flags in the Town of Sahuarita–a majority assembled by Scouts. Her project completes the series until there is more growth in the area.

Five Scouts from Maddie’s Troop (247, chartered by The Good Shepherd United Church of Christ) and two Scouts from her brother Noah’s Troop (365) did the bulk of the work filling flag sites with concrete, assembling flag bases and poles, marking them, and attaching flags to the flagpoles. Adult Scout leaders were there to provide as-needed assistance including Maddie and Noah’s parents, Roy and Tracee Comstock. Maddie directed everyone, providing safety information and instructions.

“I enjoyed leading and being able to do the project with my friends,” said Maddie. “Achieving the Eagle rank has been my goal since I joined Scouts in 2021.”

Homeschooled in the Rancho Sahuarita area, Maddie joined Catalina Council, BSA (Boy Scouts of America) for the friendships and outdoor activities. Although BSA opened their doors to female Scouts nationally in 2019, there were no Troops or Packs in the Sahuarita or Green Valley area available for girls to join at the time. As a result, Maddie co-founded the first female Troop in Sahuarita.

“I feel very proud. It has not always been easy, and it’s been a lot of work starting a Troop,” said Maddie.

Residents and visitors of the Town of Sahuarita area will be able to see the flags raised for at least a week for participating holidays starting on Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, Thursday, December 7.

“The leadership skills and the E.D.G.E method (Explain, Demonstrate, Guide, and Enable) have helped me in situations when I’m trying to help others,” Maddie commented. “I’ve learned a lot about patriotism and respect since becoming a Scout.”