Local Youth Earns the Eagle Scout Award
Soren Richard Pearce of Oskaloosa was awarded the highest advancement award the Boy Scouts of America offers to Scouts, the rank of Eagle Scout. (submitted photo)
On Thursday, July 27, Soren Richard Pearce of Oskaloosa was awarded the highest advancement award the Boy Scouts of America offers to Scouts, the rank of Eagle Scout.
A member of Troop 71, chartered by the Central United Methodist Church in Oskaloosa, Pearce is one of approximately 6 percent of all Boy Scouts who attain the Eagle rank, according to Scoutmaster Kevin Hladik.
An Eagle Scout candidate must earn a minimum of 21 merit badges and successfully completed a community, church, or synagogue-related service project to earn his Eagle; Pearce chose to do a variety show for three care homes in Oskaloosa. Pearce wanted to honor those that paved the way for the rest of us. Pearce contacted local groups and musicians to provide the different acts for the three shows that lasted approximately 30 minutes each, and then the performers and Troop 71 scouts stayed to spend some time visiting with the residents.
Pearce has served as Senior Patrol Leader and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader and been involved in Scouting since Cub Scouts. Pearce joins other outstanding American citizens who have become Eagle Scouts, among them former President Gerald R. Ford, Jr., astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, cinematographer Steven Spielberg, former head of the F.B.I. William Sessions, and current United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
Pearce is a member of the Oskaloosa Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and in other activities has been active in establishing a Key Club organization for high school students as part of the Oskaloosa Kiwanis, been part of the Oskaloosa Public Library Teen Advisory Board, as well as in his church. Pearce will be leaving the end of July for a two-year mission trip to Alaska and Canada.
He is the son of Jared and Jamie Pearce of Oskaloosa and the brother of Eagle Scout Washington Pearce.
