Brick by Brick Lay the base, spread the sand, cut the bricks, place the bricks, tamp the bricks, seal the bricks, sweep sand into the joints, step back and celebrate. Consider these the finishing steps to completing my Eagle Scout project, a four hundred brick entrance showcasing the school crest at Kapaun Mt. Carmel high school. With the project finalized and a successful board review, I will have attained my Eagle Scout rank; my most fulfilling accomplishment to date. So, why write about a potential accomplishment; something not complete? Simply stated, the accomplishment is not the award itself, but overcoming the demanding journey, to achieve the rank, and in the process, shaping who I am.
The Eagle Scout is the highest advancement rank in Boy Scouting. According to the study Eagle Scouts: Merit Beyond the Badge “since 1912, around four percent of men who were Boy Scouts have earned the award” (Yang et al. 2). However, considering the daunting requirements: being an active member, earning twenty-one diverse merit badges, holding an elected leadership position, receiving character recommendations, completing an Eagle Scout service project, and surviving a rigorous board of review, the low success rate makes sense. Consequently, the designation screams challenge, and I
…show more content…
Although not recognizing this admiration as the impetus to earning my Eagle rank, I consider it the first brick leading toward this goal. More bricks followed as my family and scouting community helped me see my potential; thus, the path and my character were taking shape. As I completed the requirements, earned the badges, and advanced in rank, my desire to earn the Eagle Scout designation intensified. I decided that I wanted the responsibility of that positive role model, the one encouraging younger scouts to pursue their Eagle rank. However, it has not been an easy