Cheshire Youth Earns Eagle Scout Rank

It's the highest award one can earn as a Boy Scout, and Cheshire resident Andrew Ray recently achieved that pinnacle, earning the Eagle Scout designation for a service project he did for his church.

The Cheshire Town Council recently honored Andrew with a proclamation and congratulations for his hard work that led to the honor.

"The Eagle Scout is the highest rank awarded by the Boy Scouts of America and in order to get that rank, you have to complete a whole bunch of requirements," Andrew said, "including getting through all the other ranks, which might be the hardest part."

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The badges on Andrew's scout sash are testament to all of the time and effort he has put into the effort. For his final requirement — a service project — Andrew chose to create a picnic area at his church, he said.

"I organized it and got a lot of people working on it," he said, which led to its successful completion and the awarding of the Eagle Scout designation.

Only about 5 percent of Boy Scouts go on to earn the Eagle Scout award, according to the Boy Scouts of America.

To earn the rank, a Boy Scout must progress through six ranks and earn 21 merit badges, including ones on first aid, citizenship, the environment, emergency preparedness, family life and personal fitness.

A scout also must:

• Serve six months in a troop leadership position.
• Plan, develop, and give leadership to a service project for any religious organization or any school or community.
• Take part in a Scoutmaster conference.
• Successfully complete an Eagle Scout board of review.

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