By Geena Monahan—For the North Star Reporter
A North Attleborough High School senior has become the town’s first female Eagle Scout — an honor earned through a project supporting the school’s Music Department.
During the Town Council’s May 11 meeting, Councilor Kevin McCarthy read a certificate honoring Megan Fennell for attaining the rank of Eagle Scout and highlighting her project to build and install two custom storage cabinets for the NAHS Music Department.
The recognition comes several years after the Boy Scouts of America — now known as Scouting America — began allowing girls to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. The organization opened its traditional Scouting program to girls in 2019, with the first class of female Eagle Scouts recognized nationally in 2021.
The certificate praised Fennell’s “dedication, craftsmanship and commitment to supporting the school community.”
As a longtime member of the music program at both the middle and high school, Fennell said the project combined two major parts of her life.
“Music and Scouts were two of my main passions since I started middle school,” she said. “So I knew I wanted to do something that would combine both my love of Scouting and service and my love of music.”
Fennell said she approached band director Patrick Marum, looking for a project that would address a practical need within the department, particularly as the district prepares for the transition to a new high school.
“At the moment we do a lot of repairs for instruments from different schools,” she said, noting that middle and elementary teachers often send instruments to the high school for repairs, using tools and spare parts stored there.
“With the move into the new school, there isn’t a space for him (Marum) to have an office,” Fennell said. “So part of the shelving units I built were not only for storage in the current room and new room, but also as a countertop and workspace.”
Marum said the cabinets have already improved the functionality of the band room.
“These cabinets have been extremely helpful to myself and our Music Department,” he said. “When we have so many people and equipment going in and out of the room, anything we can do to create more space is crucial.”
Before the project, Marum said finding room to repair instruments was difficult because available table space was often covered by papers and classroom materials.
“Now I’m able to have designated space for handouts, and designated space for instrument repair,” he said.
Marum noted the project will continue benefiting future students and staff long after Fennell graduates.
“The lockers give students a specific and consistent home for their instruments, and the countertops create an extremely useful workspace,” Marum said. “Students that come through the doors of NAHS for years to come will benefit from the work that Megan put in.”
Marum added that Fennell’s achievement reflects the leadership and work ethic she has consistently demonstrated as a student.
“Saying that I’m incredibly proud is an understatement, but I’m not surprised at all,” he said. “Megan is an extraordinary leader and remarkable student.”