Alejandro J. Avila of BSA Troop 10 in Kendall has completed the rigorous requirements to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.
Eagle is the highest rank one can earn in the Boy Scouts. Historically only one in four boys who join Scouting will reach this honorable goal. Nevertheless, over 2 million young men have achieved the rank since 1912.
This widely recognized, prestigious accomplishment is performance based and participants must meet national standards. Many notable, highly successful men have earned the rank of Eagle including Neil Armstrong, Steven Spielberg, Gerald Ford and William J. Clinton.
Avila began his Scouting experience in the first grade at Cub Scout Pack 850 in Miami. In 2011, he achieved the highest rank in Cubs, the Arrow of Light, and bridged over to Boys Scouts. There he earned 36 merit badges, including Wilderness Survival, Music, Space Exploration, and Archeology. Thirteen of the most challenging merit badges are required to meet the rank of Eagle. He served in many positions of leadership at Troop 10, including Senior Patrol Leader and Order of the Arrow Representative.
Avila worked hard for seven months preparing, planning, and carrying out his project. He noted that the most challenging part, organizing and leading 39 volunteers, was also the most gratifying. His project was to beautify the courtyard in front of his school’s cafeteria. This task included building new tables and a lot of landscaping.
He expressed pride in the area which is enjoyed daily by students and staff at TERRA Environmental Research Institute where he is a senior. At TERRA, Avila is the president of the National Honor Society and president of the Thespian Honor Society. After graduation, he plans to study engineering and computer science.
