In a nationwide program as well-known and established as the Boy Scouts of America, attaining any achievement is no small feat. The title of Eagle Scout is one that comes with much hard work and respect; only five percent of all Boy Scouts ever attain that rank.

Senior Jack Van Well has recently earned the right to call himself an Eagle Scout. Van Well has been hard at work on his Eagle Scout Service Project by constructing a fence for the local Alatheia Therapeutic Riding Center. A surgery and his job delayed Van Well from starting his project until the last six months.

“I mostly managed my project, people would volunteer and I just told them what to do. It was a lot of calling people for funding and organizing,” Van Well said.

Like most programs, Van Well’s experience started with a meeting. “At the meeting I decided it would be fun. My mom didn’t want me to join but I joined anyway,” Van Well said.

With a seven-year involvement in the Boy Scouts program, Van Well feels the prestige of his new rank.

“It’s a pretty big honor. I’m only the 90th in my troop [to earn the Eagle Scout ranking]. It’s also the 90th year of our troop, so that’s pretty cool,” Van Well said.

Van Well looks to the future as his time as a scout reaches a close. “Once you turn 18, you can’t be a Boy Scout anymore,” Van Well says.

His love for the program won’t stop him though, as he plans to go back and help his troop as an adult volunteer.