ROCHESTER — Troop 31 Scoutmaster Kevin Thompson stood proudly as he presented three Eagle Scout pins to accomplished members of his troop on Sunday, July 23.

Scouts Trent Crook, Robert Nordahl and Tyler Souza were honored at the Rochester Grange Hall for completing the steps needed to transition from Boy Scout to Eagle Scout.

“When I first took over as scoutmaster they were 11-year-old boys and they did what 11-year-old boys do, if you stick them in the woods they are going to run around with sticks and fire and all that other stuff,” said Thompson. “As they have grown they have become more trustworthy and have become more considerate of watching out for other people.”

According to Thompson, only two percent of Boy Scouts successfully move up the ranks to become Eagle Scouts. 

In order to become an Eagle Scout, a Boy Scout must first become a Life Scout, the highest rank of Boy Scout, demonstrating leadership within their troop. 

Then potential Eagle Scouts must complete a community service project, said Thompson. 

Nordahl refurbished a storage shed at Dexter Lane Baseball Field, Souza cleaned lichen off of headstones and Crook put up directional signs at the troop’s camp.

“It helped me to expand my understanding of things around us,” said Crook.

At the beginning of the Eagle Court of Honor, members of troop 31 lit 12 candles to represent the 12 principles of the Scout Law.

“We have seen each other grow in many facets,” said Crook. “As people and as adults we find what we want to do in life.”