JA 18 Under 18 2025
AALIYAH PEREZ
Troop 851 had never had an international Eagle Scout project, but Aaliyah was undeterred. After researching the need for mobile, portable, outdoor classrooms in Filipino villages, she worked with her troop, school, church communities and with a boys’ troop in the Philippines to build and stock two Kariton Klasrums, a Tagalog term for “pushcart classrooms.” Guided by her desire to make a difference, she became a skilled project manager, public speaker, fundraiser, engineer, and designer, building carts that could be assembled, disassembled, shipped, and re-assembled easily and efficiently.
The Notre Dame Preparatory School sophomore and three-sport athlete has the same focus for winning academic awards, volunteering with kids from Baltimore public housing and refugee children, and singing and playing instruments with the St. Gabriel Catholic Church Angels’ and Filipino-American choirs. A talented flutist and pianist, Aaliyah scored perfect in the National Piano Guild Audition in 2024. She shares her musical talents with area senior centers.
“Aaliyah is a driven young woman who sets lofty goals for herself and applies all of her talents to all areas of her life to look beyond herself to make an impact on the world.”
—Lori Mannino, Scoutmaster, BSA Troop 851G