Student Spotlight – Jack
Jack is in 7th grade at Churchill Center & School. Outside of school, Jack is passionate about scouting! He has earned a 
Life rank with the Boy Scouts of America.
Churchill: How long have you been in Scouts? How did you first get involved with Scouts?
Jack: I have been a Scout for almost three years now. I started as a Cub Scout before becoming a Boy Scout. I am learning responsibility and leadership skills and at the Life rank, I am beginning to explore what career I might want in the future.
My dad was an Eagle Scout before he was 14 years old. He is now a Scout Master in charge of a group of Boy Scouts. He inspired me to join scouting and earn an Eagle Scout rank!
Churchill: What is your current Scout ranking? And what does this mean?
Jack: I am currently a Life rank, which is a pretty big deal for only being 13. I earned this by completing the requirements of the Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class and then Star ranks. At the Star rank, I had to complete 6 hours of community service and earn 6 merit badges (4 were required for Eagle Scout rank and 2 were my choice). At the Life rank, I have to complete at least 6 more hours of community service and earn 5 merit badges (3 for Eagle Scout and 2 of my choice).
I am currently working on my family life merit badge and just finished my cooking one. One of my favorite badges to earn was first aid! Next up is the 3-month merit badge that focuses on personal and financial management.
Churchill: What is next?
Jack: Eagle Scout! To earn the rank of an Eagle Scout, I’ll have to earn 10 more merit badges after Life and continue to demonstrate Scout Spirit, service and leadership. I will also have to complete a service project.
Churchill: Do you know yet what your Eagle Scout project might entail?
Jack: Not exactly. I’m hoping to work with other schools that might need my help though. Assist other students or teaches in some way. Maybe even plant a school garden?
Churchill: What do you like best about Scouts?
Jack: My favorite part about Scouts is camping. I love going on backpacking and camping trips. Some of our backpacking trips are 10 or 15 miles long! I also enjoy the friendships I’ve made and sharing these experiences with my dad.
Churchill: What is your favorite memory of scouting?
Jack: That’s a difficult question to answer… But two of my favorite memories are:
1. Being accepted into the Order of the Arrow. 
Churchill: The OA is the National Honor Society of the Boy Scouts of America. The purpose of the OA is to recognize those Scout campers who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives, to develop and maintain camping traditions and spirit, to promote Scout camping and to crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others. Wow, Jack! What an honor!
2. The National and World Jamboree!
Churchill: The Scout jamboree is a gathering and campout of thousands of members of the Boy Scouts
Churchill: Tell us a big life lesson you have learned through scouting.
Jack: I’ve learned that tying knots is VERY important. 🙂 If you don’t tie the right knot, it could potentially mess a lot up. One time I tied a knot wrong on a camping trip and my bag fell, causing me a lot of problems.
Churchill: What is the Scout motto and what does it mean to you?
Jack: The Scout Motto is: Be prepared. The Scout Slogan is: Do a good turn daily.
To me, this means to always be prepared in whatever you are doing. Even when you don’t think it’s necessary.
Thank you for taking the time to talk with us Jack! Keep working hard and doing your best to live up to the Scout motto and oath.