Earlier in the month we had been asking around to see whether Harris Elementary had an Eagle project Morgan could take on.
Then something else came through.
Morgan wrote to Mrs. Wilson:
“I have found an eagle project I would like to work on. The St. Charles West wrestling coach is looking for a rolling equipment cabinet.”
He planned to have his dad serve as his mentor because it was such a hands-on project. The school appeared to have a budget for it, which meant he might not have to fundraise.
He was also getting close on merit badges: Environmental Science was planned for summer camp, and Citizenship in the Community was on the list for Linn Merit Badge University.
Mrs. Wilson’s answer made the next steps very real: sketch the cabinet, determine materials, price everything out, get the coach’s approval, work through the Eagle packet, present to the school, then the troop committee, then the Eagle Board.
One Eagle project had officially begun.
August 2018 update: Morgan’s proposal had moved from idea to paperwork. On August 22 he emailed the district Eagle contact asking to schedule his service-project proposal review. After a little email-address confusion and confirmation that his required signatures were in place, the district scheduled his proposal board for October 8, 2018 at 7 p.m.
November 7 update: Family was already trying to plan ahead for a possible Eagle ceremony. Barbara hoped Danielle’s guess of a March ceremony would hold because she already had an April trip booked. Danielle’s answer was deliberately tentative: “Looking at the 3/22 ish – maybe,” followed the next day by, “When I have a clue I will let you know.”
December 31 update: Morgan wrote that his Eagle paperwork was finished and asked Mr. Boyd and Mrs. Wilson when they could meet to sign off. He also asked to present to the troop committee at the January 7 meeting because he was “trying to get into the eagle board as soon as possible.” The only recommendation letter he was still missing was one he hoped to pick up at that same January 7 meeting.
January 2019 update: Morgan presented his project to the troop on January 10. Sarah McCorkle-Smith wrote afterward, “I enjoyed your presentation tonight. Nice project!” By January 27, Morgan’s paperwork had been approved by Council and he emailed the district to schedule his final Board of Review, with Matt attending as his project coach.
March 25, 2019 — Eagle: Morgan completed his final Eagle Board of Review and became Troop 72’s 85th Eagle Scout. The troop announcement followed a few days later: “Congratulations to Morgan and his family!” His Eagle Court of Honor was set for June 9.
April 15 update: Morgan’s birthday arrived just a few weeks after he became an Eagle. Barbara’s note combined the two: “Happy birthday, Morgan! Congrats on your Eagle, too.” Later that day she confirmed that she was shopping flights so she could come to the June 9 Eagle Court of Honor. Danielle’s answer: “Of course you are welcome! And yes, June 9. :)”
May 2019 — getting ready for the Court of Honor: The month became a long checklist: facility approval, insurance certificate, ceremony script, rank cards, invitations, slideshow, speakers and family travel. Barbara confirmed she was coming and had her flight booked. Jo was looking for a congratulations card that felt formal enough for an Eagle Scout. By May 31, Danielle could finally report, “The slide show is done 🙂 Slowly coming together :)”
Leave a comment