Becoming an Eagle Scout is no small achievement. In fact, among adults who have gone on to become astronauts, doctors, politicians, or business leaders, most of them will say that earning their Eagle is clearly among the most important achievements in their lives.
Back to the question... WHY?
Look at it from this angle.... ADVANCEMENT is completely up to the individual Scout. If he has no desire or sense of committment to advance in rank, that is his choice. IT IS POSSIBLE for a boy to attend EVERY meeting and EVERY camping trip, and never make it through 1/2 of the available ranks if he isn't motivated enough to take the extra step of demonstrating skills or earning merit badges. Statistically speaking, only 2 out of 100 boys in Scouting will push themselves to become Eagle Scouts.
The "Trail to Eagle" is one of persistance, dedication, well-rounded learning experiences by earning 21+ merit badges, strong attendance at meetings and camping trips, and hundreds of hours of community service.... all culminating with the planning and complete exectution of his "Eagle Project" before his 18th birthday.
The "Eagle Project" is SO MUCH MORE than "giving something back to the community" (which it is, and let's not minimize the importance of community and charity). It is actually his "final exam" in Scouting.
HE manages his Eagle Project. He will put to use all of the lessons he learned as a Boy Scout; communicating, organizing, recruiting, conceiving an idea, selling the idea, planning the work, assigning work details to those helping him, being the "accountant" that tracks the hours worked and the money spent, etc. In every conceiveable way, HE is the "project leader".
THESE are the highly desirable skills and traits that makes "Eagle Scout" stand out on a job resume or college application, and the fact that such skills and moral foundations are learned/mastered before "society" recognizes him as an "adult"... simply amazing!
The rank of Eagle Scout is the highest rank that can be earned in the Boy Scouts of America. It requires considerable perseverance to get there. Once achieved, the Scout is recognized by his peers, his community, and his nation, as having achieved something very significant -- something few attain in their lives.
Once an Eagle Scout you have topped a high mountain climbed by fewer than one out of every 172 boys, and less than 3% of all Scouts.
Eagle Scouts are valued in our society, because they have proven that they can achieve a long-term goal despite many obstacles. This will help on college admission and job applications.
Listed below are the Scouts in Troop 41, that have earned the highest Rank in Scouting.
2011
Michael Allen Cody Pacheco - 06/26/2011
2010
Cash Sterlin Blalock - 12/22/2010
Caleb Lee Gibson - 11/22/2010
Addison John McDonough - 08/02/2010
Timothy Joseph Newcamp - 07/06/2010
Dustin Leon Stubblefield - 06/07/2010
Adam Christopher Weed - 02/15/2010
2008
John Clark Pennington - 02/01/2008
2007
Chad Lawrence Riley - 08/24/2007
2006
Kevin McCord Faulconer - 12/18/2006
Patrick Wade Faulconer - 06/26/2006
Matthew T. Pacheco - 05/25/2006
2005
Thomas William Long, Jr. - 11/12/2005
James Spencer Ray Phillips - 06/21/2005
Cory Lee Smith - 01/28/2005
1997
Robert Chad Bush - 10/16/1997
Jon Nicholas Moore - 04/21/1997
1995
Joshua Weaver - 09/18/1995
1994
John Allen Ferguson - 06/27/1994
Shane Michael Hall - 06/27/1994
1993
John "Forrest" Nicholson III - 11/02/1993
Patrick Owen, Jr. - 11/02/1993
1992
Brian Hicks - 01/27/1992
1990
Ronnie Dickerson - 10/01/1990
Jeff Norwood - 05/28/1990
Benjamin Ballard - 02/12/1990
Micah C. Robison - 02/12/1990
1989
Kevin Hawkins - 11/11/1989
1987
Wayne V. Perkins - 08/31/1987
1984
Frank O. Olson II - 08/20/1984
Carter B. Mills - 06/11/1984
1981
Scott K. Stewart - 08/31/1981
1979
Bobby L. Stewart, Jr. - 05/28/1979
Jan S. Chism - 05/28/1979
Thomas B. Clifton, Jr. - 01/29/1979
1966
Walter Meredith - 12/30/1966
1965
Ricky M. Crawford - 12/29/1965
Sam S. Lauderdale - 11/05/1965
1963
Bobby L. Moberley - 12/16/1963
1956
Angus Emerson - 12/1956