Kathryn M. Blue of Astoria received the Venturing Silver Award in a ceremony June 29 at Butte Creek Scout Ranch in Scotts Mills.

The award is the highest honor the Boy Scouts of America offers to Venturing Crew members. In the past seven years, only 12 other Venturers have earned the award in the Cascade Pacific council. Venturing is a coed outdoor program offered by the Boy Scouts of America.

As a candidate for the Silver Award, she had to complete a variety of courses, tasks and assignments and two community, church, conservation or civic service projects. Her conservation project was for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, constructing two bridges for the Gnat Creek Trail Project.

Blue is the daughter of Robert and Barbara Blue of Astoria. She has been active in Scouting since joining in 2001. For her outstanding leadership in the Boy Scouts, she was awarded the National Venturing Leadership award. Only 37 persons have received the award in the council in the past seven years.

She was on the Astoria High School swim team for four years – advancing to the state championships three times. She also holds three school swim records. She was recognized for two years running as Most Valuable Girl Swimmer and one year as Most Inspirational Swimmer. She plays the violin, piano and organ and is the fiddle player in a folk-rock group. She recently graduated as Salutatorian with a 3.998 GPA. she will be attending Oregon State University this fall, majoring in animal science.

General Interest Venturing Crew 330 is sponsored by Astoria First Lutheran Church and is open to all youth ages 14 to 21.