I am a 14-year-old freshman at Oakwood School who earned the rank of Eagle Scout on Dec. 13, 2024. I became a Cub Scout in first grade. I learned to use tools and work with friends on classic activities like designing, building and racing Pinewood Derby cars.
We constructed planters. We fabricated and launched bottle rockets in the park. We engineered and drove soapbox vehicles in Cub Mobile races.
I loved it, so I worked hard to meet all the requirements to earn my Arrow of Light and bridge into Scouts.
As a Scout, I learned practical skills like camping, cooking and backpacking with my troop. I also attend summer camp every year at different locations in California. At camp, I learned new subjects like astronomy, robotics, entrepreneurship and environmental science. I explored exciting new activities and mastered skills like kayaking, geocaching, basketry and pioneering.
As I progressed through the seven Scout ranks (Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, Eagle), I found myself shouldering more responsibility in the troop. Quartermaster, Scribe, Historian, and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader are some of the leadership positions I assumed.
Running meetings, planning events and organizing large groups requires commitment and perseverance. I learned to listen carefully to understand what people need, to speak clearly and confidently to command attention, and to always be prepared with a backup plan.
Learning how to be a leader is the most valuable lesson in all of Scouting.
A central tenet of The Scout Oath is “To help other people at all times,” and volunteering is integral to Scouting. As a member of Troop 730, I pick up trash at major events like the Morgan Hill Mushroom Festival and the Gilroy Garlic Festival. I help park cars at events like the San Martin Neighborhood Alliance Ice Cream Social and I serve at their St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast.
I take part in conservation efforts like removing scrub for fire protection, and restoration projects like painting cabins. I also help other scouts with their Eagle Scout Projects.
My Eagle Scout Project involved restoring a 30-year-old, 100-gallon acrylic aquarium by sanding out scratches, buffing and polishing. I designed and attached a new hood with modern programmable lighting. I led a team of 26 volunteers who worked a total of 197 hours over all three days of the Labor Day weekend.
We built a stand from lumber and plywood, capable of supporting a weight of 800 pounds which we sanded, primed and painted.
After carefully positioning and leveling the tank in one of the Oakwood School science rooms, we created a hillstream biotope aquascape with epiphytic plants, lava rock, dragon stone and sand. I stocked the tank with 25 harlequin rasboras, 15 neon rainbowfish, 9 panda corydoras and six hillstream loaches.
The animals and plants in the aquarium are thriving and are enjoyed every day by students.
The aspect of Scouting that I most appreciate is the opportunity to interact with positive role models. The Scout Law is “A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.”
These are not just words to me. I have internalized each of these traits by watching them being lived out every day by the adult leaders of Troop 730. I especially want to thank Mike Wargocki, Scott Jensen, Bill Bireley, Lynn Liebschutz, Albert Catelani and Lori Nishimura.
I recently became a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow, and I intend to continue my Scouting adventures by earning more merit badges (I have 42 so far) and helping younger Scouts. I recommend Scouting to anyone who wants to help others, learn practical skills and become a leader.
