AZLE — Haley Gulley, a Life Scout from Azle, is nearing the completion of her journey to become an Eagle Scout. She’s been pursuing this rank since girls were first allowed to join the Scouts in 2018. Haley, who joined the Scouts in fifth grade, recently completed a community service project that brought improvements to the Wesley Chapel CME Church’s storage room, moving one step closer to achieving her goal.
Gulley’s decision to join the Scouts was inspired by a school assembly where the Scouts shared their mission and activities. At the time, the historic policy change was made which allowed girls to earn the Eagle Scout rank, a milestone previously exclusive to Boy Scouts. Gulley had family members join the Scouts before and made a amusing admission.
“My dad was a Scout Master for a troop and my brother did it. My dad had no idea I had signed up,” Gulley said. “I came home that day with the flag. I wanted to join and we haven’t looked back since.”
For her Eagle Scout project, Gulley led a team to clean out a storage unit at Wesley Chapel. The unit, which had roof damage, was filled with unusable items but was transformed into a space that will eventually serve meals to the community.
Gulley’s mother, Jessica Castrillo, a supportive figure throughout her scouting journey, discovered the project through a post online.
“The church’s goal is to use the space to serve one meal a week to the community,” Castrillo said. “It was a perfect project for Haley to take on.”
Gulley coordinated volunteers from her current and previous troops, as well as her family to help complete the project.
“Getting everything organized was the biggest challenge,” Gulley said. “It was a lot to arrange, getting people, supplies and even a dumpster. But we finished in just three hours because so many people came out to help.”
Wesley Chapel and its congregation expressed deep gratitude to Gulley for the transformation. They hosted a brunch to thank Gulley and her team.
“Seeing their reaction made it all worth it,” Gulley said. “They couldn’t believe the change.”
The project was just one part of Gulley’s path to become an Eagle Scout, which requires earning at least 21 merit badges and fulfilling other requirements. She still has six or seven badges to complete, including tasks like personal management which involves budgeting and tracking finances over time.
Gulley credits her time in the Scouts with teaching her valuable skills like public speaking, organization and leadership.
“I’ve learned that helping others is rewarding, even if you don’t get anything in return,” Gulley said.
Castrillo added that her daughter is everything she has wanted her to be in terms of confidence and being a leader.
“We’ve watched her grow into a leader, especially through this project,” Castrillo said. “She was confident and took charge, which is exactly what we hope for.”
Gulley’s advice to other girls considering the Scouts is simple: just got for it.
“Just do it, it’s a lot of fun and not as hard as it might seem,” Gulley said.
She appreciates the support among her troop and the positive environment that has helped her thrive. For those interested in the Eagle Scout rank, Gulley emphasized the importance of perseverance. She says it’s a lot of work, but the experiences and skills gained are worth it.
After achieving the Eagle Scout rank, Gulley plans to pursue a career in nuclear engineering. She is drawn to this career for its unique challenges and opportunities. She hopes the skills and recognition she’s gained through the Scouts will support her academic and professional goals plus scholarships for college.
As she continues her journey through life, Gulley remains committed to community service.
“Even after Scouts, I want to keep helping others,” Gulley said. “It’s something I’ll always value.”