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Re: Eagle MB's
Jo Ernst (njernst@LOGICSOUTH.COM)
Thu, 6 Aug 1998 17:27:30 -0400
Terry,
You have every right to be proud of your son. I am sure he is a fine young
man. However, just because he had more merit badges that the other boys at
the COH does not mean that he was any more "worthy" of the rank of Eagle
than the "embarrassed" boys. I disagree that it "should have" embarrassed
them--quite the contrary, they should be very proud of what they have
achieved. I do not know the other boys situations; however, my own Eagle
Scout son has only 24 merit badges. Did he do only enough to get by? I
think not!!!! His service project to remodel a recreation center was in
excess of 450 man-hours and encompassed 4 days. Why so few merit badges.
1. He was in a less than optimum troop and dropped out of scouting for over
a year. This certainly put him "behind the power curve." However, he
returned to scouts and continued on.
2. In 7th grade he took up distance running. By the end of the first
season (7th grade) he was high school varsity. He runs year round with two
weeks off in May and two weeks off in November. Practices were (he will now
be running for Clemson University) every day after school until about 6:30.
He still made the meetings although sometimes he wasn't in uniform and was a
little (ok A LOT) sweaty. By the way, he very rarely missed a campout
(might be a little late, but rarely missed one). At summer camp was up a
5:30 (by himself) to do his 5-10 mile morning runs before the camp day
started.
3. Helped me start a new troop with program based on the promise and law.
Doesn't sound like much until you realize the next oldest boy (he was 16)
was 12. A very big difference at that age.
4. High School junior and senior--in addition to cross country (3-time
state champion, 2-time runner of the year, etc), track, boy scouts, and job,
he was also in the Concert Choir, and Male Choir.
Did just enough to get by... I don't think so and I do not believe the
number of merit badges is an indication of this. At any rate... an Eagle
Court of Honor is not the place to be embarrassed!!! It is a place to BE
PROUD OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS!!!
YIS,
Jo Ernst
njernst@LogicSouth.com
SM Troop 813
And a Good Old Fiesty Fox, too ...NE-VI-26
Columbia, SC
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
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