An Eagle Scout is the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Only four percent of Boy Scouts are granted this rank after a lengthy review process, and the requirements necessary to achieve this rank take years to fulfill. Since its founding, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than two million young men. BSM’s senior high boasts four Red Knight Eagle Scouts.

KE: Explain the concept of an Eagle Scout.

Matthew Tucker: It prepares you for life, teaches you to enjoy the outdoors, and promotes service to the community/nation/God.

Liam Long: [It is the] highest rank in Scouts earned through leadership and service. You are always an Eagle and it comes with responsibility. If you meet an Eagle you know what kind of person they are.

Ryan Tucker: The concept of an eagle scout is that it is the highest rank a scout can attain before they turn 18 years of age. One must fulfill leadership positions, complete a service project that benefits the community, as well as completing the previous ranks/requirements.

Michael Dickson: It is the highest rank in Boy Scouts and is well respected by most. It takes years of progression through different ranks and accomplishing certain requirements; most notably completing an Eagle Project, and obtaining at least 21 merit badges.

KE: How long did it take you to become an Eagle Scout?

MT: I started in 2nd Grade through cub scouts and ended junior year of high school.

LL: I earned it at 14 years old.

RT: The process to become an Eagle Scout takes five months, which includes the proposal and approval process, the service project, and the review process after the project is completed.

MD: I was just about to turn 18 when I got my award, which is the deadline. It can take as long or as short amount of time as you want, as long as you’re not 18.  

KE: Did your parents make you do it or was it something you wanted to do?

MT: I started because my grade school friends did it and stayed in for my college applications.

LL: I wanted to do it.

RT: My parents made me become a scout when I was younger, but it was my choice to become an Eagle Scout as I became older.

MD: I joined Cub Scouts at a young age because of my parents and just stayed in. When you first start as a Boy Scout it is a lot of fun because the activities they do seem aimed for younger scouts (11-14) and once you get older a lot of the activities you do are just not as fun. But by that time, you are so far that you just want to complete it and get your eagle.

KE: How does it feel to be an Eagle Scout?

MT: It feels good that I am an eagle scout because of the time and effort I put into it.

LL: I am proud and I am happy I have the skills that Scouts taught me.

RT: I feel extremely relieved and grateful to achieve this position since it takes years to complete. There are copious amounts of information to learn, tasks to accomplish, and extensive service hours to complete.

MD: It’s pretty cool and is something that I can use for the rest of my life. Honestly, it is really nice to be done with scouts because I’ve been doing it since sixth grade.

KE: What is the best thing about being an Eagle Scout?

MT: The best thing about being an eagle scout is all the camping experiences I’ve had, especially one of the hiking trips we took for two weeks in New Mexico.

LL: The responsibility that comes with it and that it is recognized by the military. The leadership experience is great too.

RT: An Eagle Scout award looks amazing on a college application/high school resume, and it is one of the only things I will be able to keep on my resume after college.

MD: I can use it the rest of my life. I learned many skills through Boy Scouts and this award which will be useful. My parents tell me that they get job applications where eagle scout is the first thing on there and that goes a long way.

KE: What have you learned through becoming an Eagle Scout?

MT: I have learned a lot through scouts, mostly outdoors skills and first aid that are useful when you go out on backpacking trips far away from real help.

LL: [I’ve learned] how to backpack and survive in the woods.

RT: I’ve learned a lot of beneficial life skills that have helped me in real-life experiences, such as administering proper first-aid to seriously injured friends or general ethics for being successful in life. I could honestly write pages about things I’ve learned.

MD: I learned to sail in the Florida Keys, I learned hiking and camping most notably from my 2-week backpacking trip in New Mexico, and many other skills from the merit badges and requirements I had to achieve.