Achieving the rank of Eagle Scout is a serious, praiseworthy accomplishment. It takes years of dedication from the scout, the parents, and the leaders. It is a worthy honor.
But… the glorious trend of procrastination continues. Last week, a fantastic – yet frantic – young man I know managed to finish his Eagle Scout requirements on the eve of his 18th birthday, at exactly 30 minutes before Midnight. Up until 11;30pm he was scurrying around collecting signatures. That was a new record in our ward which shattered the previous record of the 9:00pm Eagle, set only three weeks before.
I believe we need a special distinction for those who finish it as the clock is ticking towards their 18th birthday. In consideration of this ever growing tradition, and the fact that it is usually the mother who facilitates these last-minute quests, I present to you…
The Cinderella Eagle
Personally, one of the FOML completed his project when he was still 13, then waited FOUR YEARS to write it up and submit it. He was, indeed, a “Cinderella Eagle”. We were proud of him for “gettin’ ‘er done”, but I know that he was not as proud as he could have, or should have been. He was embarrassed that he waited so long, and especially that he had to wear his father’s uniform to the Eagle Court. We even had to talk him into having a Eagle Court at all.
Hopefully, entering the “Cinderella Eagle” into our lexicon will help other boys find the desire to get it finished, before they turn into an eighteen-year-old pumpkin.
Hey does the paperwork have to be in by the 18th birthday? Can I mail the application on my birthday?
Hey does the paperwork have to be mailed in by your birthday? Can I mail the application on my birthday?
I am amazed that no one has commented on this post. Too many heads hanging low to read the final words. For the very reason you state, I never finished my eagle award. I was a life scout at 13 and had all my merit badges, but one and an approved project. I watched as 17 year old after 17 year old did the exact same project in my stake and then attained eagle. It had lost it’s appeal and all the pressure and incentives from my parents did no good. Then when I attended my brother-in-law’s bachelor party in the mountains, years later, every other attendee held the honor of eagle scout. I witnessed as not one of them could start a fire (second class rank requirement) without an accellerant. It was validation that I had not joined the ranks of so many that treated the honor with such flippancy. I wonder if our society has outpaced scouting. The luxuries of our community makes some scouting requirements obsolete. Maybe the eagle allure has lost some of its luster as well.