Seniors complete projects in pursuit of becoming Eagle Scouts
Seniors Sam Charles and James Norkosky help their communities through the Scout program.
December 1, 2017
Becoming an Eagle Scout is a long, rigorous journey, but it teaches valuable lessons that can affect a person throughout their lifetime. This year, seniors James Norkosky, Sam Charles, and others are working towards receiving this award. Those attempting to earn this rank must show that they live each day by the principles and ideals of the Boy Scouts of America, while also earning a total of 21 merit badges.
To achieve Eagle Rank, scouts must complete a long, tough leadership project. Norkosky worked on his project building toys and tables for children at Northside Child Development Center for about a year before finally achieving Eagle Rank. Norkosky is currently waiting to be nationally approved as an Eagle Scout. Part of what makes it such a high honor is the work that goes into earning the rank of Eagle. “[It has to be something] you want to do. It’s not just something you can decide to do one Saturday, it takes a couple of years, which adds to the prestige of it,” Norkosky said.
People have many different reasons for becoming an Eagle Scout. “I think it’s going to be something I’m proud of, something that I can look back on and say, ‘Hey, I’m one of less than two million people to do this,’” Norkosky said.
Being that very few people are actually able to reach the rank of Eagle, having something to be proud of is a very common feeling. “Earning the rank of Eagle would be the final goal. It’s a ton of work, but well worth it,” senior Sam Charles, who is currently finishing his Eagle Scout project, said.
Eagle Rank is something that scouts can hang their hat on for many years. Working toward a common goal and working with, and for, other people is an extremely important lesson to learn. “It is so cool to get rewarded for something that I enjoyed doing the whole time, and to work with people I didn’t know before was so fun,” Norkosky said.
