Hours of paperwork and constantly being bogged down by deadlines sounds like a boring office job. The hard work needed for Eagle Scout training, however, has dividends that apply to life lessons. Once the paperwork is done, Eagle Scouts look forward to impacting the community in many valuable ways.

Seniors Jason Graber, Nicky Gutierrez and Nathan Albert have recently finished their Eagle Scout projects and have established themselves as involved members of their communities. Through their final Eagle Scout project, they look forward to giving back to their community through a volunteer opportunity that improves their community perspective. The scouts have worked towards their Eagle Scout projects for many years; they looked forward to establishing themselves as elite members of a very exclusive group.

Graber’s motivation for continuing his training all the way to Eagle Scout stemmed from all three of his brothers’ and father’s Eagle Scout training. Gutierrez said that he had always wanted to be an Eagle Scout from his first year in scouts. Gutierrez wanted to show commitment and persistence to his community, so he continued his training all the way to Eagle Scout.

To reach Eagle Scout level, the scouts have to earn 21 merit badges, including outdoors skills and contributions to the community, nation and world. Once the merit badges have all been attained, the scouts are required to complete an Eagle Scout project. These projects require a contribution to the community.  Graber focused on improving the aesthetic appeal of a local retirement home called Eastwood Preserve by adding raised flower beds to the landscaping. Gutierrez restored the memorial gardens at Montrose Zion Methodist Church on Cleveland Massillon Road. Albert installed a commercial-grade flagpole at his church.

Gutierrez’s troop leader, Chris Ulinski, has led boy scouts for the past six years and has been involved in Boy Scouts for 22 years total. Ulinski described the importance of the community project by noting its impact on the scout.

“[The project] requires a service project which tests the boy’s ability to lead others while meeting the need of a local charity or organization,” Ulinski said.

The work required for the Eagle Scout rank includes time consuming meetings and evaluations with multiple different leaders. Albert, Graber and Gutierrez were required to, after years of work toward merit badges, meet with an Eagle Scout adviser to determine if they were prepared to become an Eagle Scout. After this meeting, the future Eagle Scout meets with a community leader.

Graber had to be prepared to meet with different community leaders, whether it be the mayor or the head of the parks and rec department. The personability and use of communication skills required to achieve the Eagle Scout rank prove how important and useful the skills the scouts have learned are to life.

The most rewarding aspect of being an Eagle Scout, according to Graber, is the fact that Eagle Scouts are in an elite group of Boy Scouts; less than two percent of Boy Scouts finish Eagle Scout training. Gutierrez realized the significance of becoming an Eagle Scout when Ulinski explained the notoriety of the Eagle Scout rank.

“[Attaining Eagle Scout] gives you a sense of accomplishment and brotherhood, but it comes with a burden, you are a marked man for life,” Gutierrez said.

The significance of the hard work a Boy Scout puts in sticks with him for the rest of his life. Other Eagle Scouts acknowledge the amount of dedication needed for the rank. Ulinski voiced how he assists the scouts in their endeavors.

“[I assist the Boy Scouts by] providing opportunities for them to advance, earn badges, and enjoy the outdoor program. I meet with them in a conference format where I can encourage and guide them towards their goals,” Ulinski said.

Albert was recognized on September 28 as an Eagle Scout; he will have his Eagle Scout court of honor in December. Graber had his board of review on September 20, and was recognized as an Eagle Scout from then on; he has yet to have his Eagle Scout court of honor. Gutierrez had his board of review on July 6, and was recognized as an Eagle Scout as well. He had his Eagle Scout court of honor September 17.

The Eagle Scouts plan to use their training to help those in need in any way possible and serve as leaders in their communities. The valuable skills the scouts learned translate directly to real life, because they gained the skills through real experiences. The Eagle Scouts look forward to giving back to their communities by showing respect and admiration for a place that provided them an opportunity to excel in their training. Ulinski looks forward to the scouts, “doing their duty to God and country, to obey the Scout law, to help other people at all times, to keep themselves physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight; that they will be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.”