6 local Scouts achieve rare Eagle rank
Joshua Raish’s Eagle Scout project involved building three foot bridges — one was 14 feet, another was 16 feet and the final one was 20 feet — at the Lawrence Park nature trail in Kalispell. (Courtesy photo)
Colter Root designed and built a masonry sign at Kids Sport which designates the soccer area. (Courtesy photo)
Local Eagle Scouts, from left to right: Paxton Boyce, Tyler Pollan, Joshua Raish, Colter Root, Grant Westover and Eric Gardner. (Courtesy photo)
Less than 7%. That is the likelihood that a participant in Boy Scouts of America will earn the rank of Eagle Scout.
That is according to an official scouts letter sent to local teen Grant Westover after he recently completed all Eagle Scout requirements. Westover started scouting at 8 years old, and has since progressed through six ranks and countless merit badges to receive the award.
Alongside Westover, five other boys from Kalispell’s Troop 1973, including Paxton Boyce, Eric Gardner, Tyler Pollan, Joshua Raish and Colter Root, earned the Eagle recognition, as well. Not only is the highest rank in Boy Scouts of America an exceptional honor, but also having a large group earn it simultaneously is quite rare.
Scout Leader Scott Rogers has been involved in the program for three years, and in that time he could only recall about 10 boys, including these six, securing the rank.
“It’s an uncommon thing and I think it’s something that shows commitment,” Rogers said. “It’s not something that you can just go out and earn in a year, most boys spend anywhere from three to six years working on it.”
Progressing through the scouting program is a journey of growth and development. According to the Boy Scouts of America, scouting is full of obstacles and the process of advancing through different ranks teaches youth the steps to overcome those barriers.
The program teaches particular scouting skills that are important, but “not as important as the primary goal of personal growth.”
“Being an Eagle Scout to me, means finishing what I started,” Raish said of earning this award. “I never quit and achieved a goal that I started at the age of 8 … I have at least a basic knowledge of a wide variety of outdoor skills as well as hours upon hours of giving back to my community.”
As these boys approached their Eagle Scout community projects, they faced the tough decision of what endeavor to try and asked themselves who needed help. The project has some requirements it must meet, however it really is up to each individual to come up with an idea – making all the projects diverse.
“That’s part of the fun,” Rogers said. “Trying to allow the boys to figure out what interests them and where they think there’s a need.
“It’s not cookie cutter and everybody gets a chance to choose something that interests them.”
Rogers also added that the program wants the boys to choose feasible projects, but also ones that stretch them and encourage leadership.
These six boys from Kalispell certainly all found unique ways to help their community, involving projects ranging from collecting supplies for the less fortunate to beautifying parks and landscapes.
“My project was a raised flower garden for the Friendship House,” explained Gardner. “I just thought it was a great idea to help those who are unfortunate and can’t live on their own, or have disabilities. To provide them with some nice landscapes that they can sit and read around or just admire.”
After completing these projects it left the leaders, youth and families involved feeling happy and grateful for the Boy Scouts of America.
“I am very proud and satisfied of all the different things that scouting helped me learn and accomplish,” Root said. “It was a combination of hard work, determination and a lot of fun.”
Grant Westover’s mother, Brandi Westover, said she enjoyed watching her son mature as he advanced through the scouting program.
“Grant has gained confidence, been able to set and reach goals, and made life-long friends in scouting,” she said. “But most importantly, he’s learned how to serve others. His scout leaders have been incredible, indispensable really; he would not be the person he is today without them.”
Now not only will these boys be able to confidently move on to the next steps in life with an immense set of abilities, they can fondly look back on serving others with good company at their sides.
Reporter Whitney England may be reached at 758-4419 or wengland@dailyinterlake.com
Eagle Scout Community Projects
Paxton Boyce – Collected soccer balls, cleats and clothes for children in Ghana, Africa and had them delivered.
Eric Gardner – Built a flower garden with a fountain for the Friendship House.
Tyler Pollan – Collected, refurbished and donated 17 bicycles and helmets for the Samaritan House.
Joshua Raish – Built three bridges along the Lawrence Park foot path.
Colter Root – Designed and completed a masonry sign at the Kids Sports Complex which designates the soccer area.
Grant Westover – Collected donations to purchase over 200 “Day One” duffel bags, with blankets and night-lights, for local foster children.