Gamma Theta/San Diego State Colony’s Davis Vance (2016) was recently recognized for meeting the requirements worthy of the rank of Eagle Scout.
Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America program. Requirements include earning at least 21 merit badges and practicing the Boy Scout Oath and Law, service, and leadership. Another requirement that the Scout must fulfill is an extensive service project that the Scout plans, organizes, leads, and manages. Eagle Scouts are also presented with a medal and badge that recognizes the accomplishments of the Scout.
Vance has been a member of Boy Scout Troop 93 in Brentwood, Calif., for eight years. He served the troop in several leadership positions including Junior Assistant Scoutmaster, which is one of the highest positions in Boy Scouts.
For his Eagle Scout project, Vance contacted Union Cemetery in Brentwood and asked if he could build seating in the columbarium area of the cemetery.
“Before I did my project there was no place to sit, I figure people would like to visit their loved ones and maybe think about life,” said Vance.
The board at Union Cemetery gave Vance free creative rein on his project.
”I decided to put in 2 heavy duty wooden benches 4 feet in length, symmetrical to the previous concrete layout in the dirt,” said Vance. “I had to dig up holes for each and fill them with a total of about a half ton of quarter-by dust as a base for the concrete pads I poured. The benches were bolted to the concrete pads and had a plaque on them to commemorate the service,” he continued.
Since the rank of Eagle Scout was first awarded in 1912, more than 2 million young men have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. In 2012 approximately 7 percent of all Boy Scouts earned their Eagle Scout rank.
“I met all kinds of people while scouting,” said Vance. “Scouting taught me how to be respectful of others and a generally well rounded citizen,” he added.
Thanks for extending the Assisting Hand, Davis. Congratulations!