The rank of Eagle Scout is the highest achievement a member can earn with Boy Scouts of America, and is earned by just three percent of all boys who enter scouting.

Troop 212 of Fayetteville, GA, recently pinned on the rank of Eagle Scout to two high-achieving scouts, Korey Arnold and Tanner Wenrick.

The scouts completed a rigorous schedule of merit badge requirements, troop outings, special projects and other achievements to achieve their ranks this spring. Having shared many of their scouting adventures together, the two chose to celebrate in a joint recognition ceremony June 9 at Rolling Hills Baptist Church (RHBC), where Troop 212 holds regular scout meetings.

The ceremony included the Spirit of Scouting, given by Phil Trickey, Wenrick’s former cub scout leader and mentor, a candle lighting ceremony and Trail to Eagle, lead by Eagle Scout Keenan Atkinson, Arnold’s cousin, an Eagle Charge and official pinning on of rank by Troop 212 Scoutmaster Jay Fralish.

Arnold, the son of Vince and Jackie Arnold, and Tanner, the son of Steve and Karen Wenrick, both are recent graduates of Starr’s Mill High School. Having shared interests in scouting, outdoor adventures, and roller hockey, where both played for the Peachtree Hockey Association, reaching their rank goals and conducting a joint celebration, seemed a natural extension of their individual accomplishments. They both plan to attend Kennesaw State University in the fall.

Arnold and Wenrick both enjoyed numerous campout experiences and several high adventure events with Troop 212, including those to Seabase, Key West, FL; Philmont, New Mexico; and Northern Tier, located in Canada. Both were also Venture Crew Members.

The Hallmark of an Eagle Scout is his community service project. Arnold organized scouts, volunteers, and community donations in order to carry out a Greenhouse project for the special education class at Rising Starr Middle School. In this project, Arnold enhanced a newly-installed greenhouse with raised flower beds, a potting table, potting benches, and a cement walkway. Wenrick’s project was at the Fayetteville YMCA. Wenrick put together a landscape plan and installed new landscaping at the parking lot near the outdoor swimming pool.

Each scout began their journeys at different times. Arnold joined Troop 212 in 2005 when his family moved to Peachtree City, from Newport News, VA, where he and his brother, fellow Eagle Scout, Kyle Arnold, were active with Troop 313. Wenrick has been active in scouting since elementary school. He and his brother, Sean Wenrick, a Life Scout with Troop 212, have enjoyed several scouting adventures together, as well.

Requirements for the achievement of Eagle Scout rank spans over many years and other interests can often derail scouts from achieving such a high rank. In addition to the numerous leadership, attendance, and performance requirements, scouts are balancing high academic goals, school organization memberships, athletics, after-school jobs, and social commitments. For this reason, only about two of every 100 boys who participate in scouting will reach the rank of Eagle Scout, and, according to Eagle rank facts found on the internet, ( HYPERLINK "http://members.nckcn.com/bgibbens/scout.htm" http://members.nckcn.com/bgibbens/scout.htm), at least one will later say that he values his Eagle badge above his college degree.

Skills learned in Scouting have real-world value, can help scouts find jobs, get accepted to college, and achieve other long-term goals. Eagle Scouts are part of an elite membership who live out good citizenship, demonstrate good character, and account for:

64% of Air Force Academy graduates.

68% of West Point graduates.

70% of Annapolis graduates.

72% of Rhodes scholars.

85% of FBI agents.

26 of the first 29 Astronauts.

Fayette County has a very high percentage of Eagle Scout achievements. Troop 212 falls under the Flint River Council, where all rank advancements are monitored and approved. Explore scouting at www.flintrivercouncil.org g.

Some famous scouts you may recognize, include: Steven Spielberg, Film Director/Producer; Sam Nunn, U.S. Senator from Georgia; and J.W. Marriott, Jr., President, Marriott Corporation. Even, George Strait, Country/Western Singer, was in scouting (Cub Scout).

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