BROKEN ARROW, Okla. — Two cousins received their Eagle Scout ranks Saturday in a rare dual ceremony.
Jaron Chase and Isaac Castleberry received their awards together.
Chase, a freshman at Tulsa Community College, and Castleberry, a junior in high school, said it was a huge privilege.
“Being an Eagle Scout is a tremendous honor,” said Chase. “It takes many, many years of hard work.”
“I’ve been in Boy Scouts for 11 years now. I joined in first grade,” said Castleberry.
The Eagle Scout rank is the highest rank in Scouting.
In 2019, 61,366 Scouts earned the Eagle Scout rank, and only eight percent of all Boy Scouts of America earned the rank.
To earn an Eagle Scout rank, Scouts must progress through the ranks starting at Boy Scout, earn 21 merit badges, serve six months in a position of responsibility, complete a service project, participate in a Scoutmaster conference and successfully complete their board of review.
Chase is a third generation Eagle Scout.
“I’ve ben raised in a Scouting family my whole life,” said Jaron. “My grandfather was an Eagle Scout, my dad was an Eagle Scout, my brother’s an Eagle Scout.”
Chase’s final Scout project was installing birdhouses on a walking trail behind Northeastern State University’s Broken Arrow campus. He installed eight birdhouses in the hopes of attracting new bird species to the area.
“Maybe get some class field trips out here,” said Chase. “Maybe some people who like bird watching can come out and see this little hidden gem that’s here.”
Chase said Scouting taught him invaluable life lessons.
“It was just a great personal experience that helped shape who I am today,” said Chase.
Castleberry said he’d recommend joining Scouts to anyone.
“It’s taught me a lot about character, friendship and leadership,” said Castleberry. “It’s been a really great experience. Keeps me motivated to stay on top of things, and try to achieve something greater than I thought I could do.”
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