Aaron Hagerman, from Troop 584 chartered by Bonsack United Methodist Church, recently achieved the highest rank the Boy Scouts of America has to offer – Eagle Scout. This status is held for life. In order to become an Eagle Scout, a boy must meet requirements in leadership, community service and outdoor skills. He also must earn various merit badges. For a young man to become an Eagle Scout is a prestigious achievement and must be completed prior to his 18th birthday. Of all Scouts in America, only 4% achieve the rank of Eagle.
Aaron is also a member of the Order of the Arrow, BSA’s National Honor Society. To become a member, the scout is voted in by their peers as best exemplifying the ideals of Scouting. He also participated in Foxfire National Youth Leadership Training, a six-day outdoor training course for youth leaders in the Boy Scouting program. In 2010, the Boy Scouts of America celebrated 100 years of Scouting with tens of thousands of boys from all over the country joining in the Jamboree at Fort AP Hill in Virginia. Aaron was privileged to be among them.
For his Eagle project, Aaron chose to design an outdoor fellowship area for Bonsack Baptist’s youth group and other teens. Inspired by natural benches he saw while vacationing in Yellowstone Park, Wyoming, he created three custom-built benches from the trunk of old oak trees. In addition, he engraved a decorative oak stump with scripture (I Cor. 10:31) and landscaped the surrounding area. Scouting and youth group activities have been central to Aaron’s growth and development. He found it fitting that both would intersect in this meaningful project.
Aaron has also served as FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) President at William Byrd High School for the past two years, played on the tennis team, and is involved in numerous volunteer activities and mission projects. He will graduate from WBHS in June with an Advanced Studies diploma and will attend Liberty University in the fall.
