Category Archives: Eagle Scout

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Meet the Eagle Scouts who won the four biggest NESA scholarships in 2012

14 June 2012

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Hard work pays.

And in the case of these four Eagle Scouts, I mean that quite literally.

The recipients of the four most-prestigious scholarships from the National Eagle Scout Association have one thing in common, in addition to their rank in Scouting: Each went above and beyond in their commitment to service, education, and leadership.

The rest of the NESA scholarship winners will be notified by July 15, 2012, and a complete list of recipients will be posted at NESA.org on or before Aug. 1, 2012.

But you can meet these four recipients today. Watch the top-notch videos below, each created by the BSA’s Tom Fiorini, and get to know these outstanding young men. Continue reading »

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100 Years of Eagle Scout painting unveiled (order your own!)

1 June 2012

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Joseph Csatari’s latest work of art was unveiled at this morning’s Americanism Breakfast at the Boy Scouts of America’s 2012 National Annual Meeting.

The piece celebrates this year’s 100th Anniversary of the Eagle Scout award, first presented to Arthur Eldred in August 1912.

To order a print on high-quality paper ($60), an unframed canvas print ($150), or framed canvas print ($300), go here.

Custom orders may be arranged through the NESA office by calling 972-580-2032.

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How to request congratulatory letters for your Eagle Scout

2 May 2012

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(Updated Feb. 19, 2013) Earning the Eagle Scout Award is something to write home about — literally.

Politicians, astronauts, celebrities, and other recognizable figures have been sending hand-signed letters to new Eagle Scouts for, well, 100 years.

The very first congratulatory letter was sent in 1912 when the first Eagle Scout, Arthur R. Eldred, received a note from James E. West, the first Chief Scout Executive.

Today, parents and Scout leaders can request these scrapbook-worthy keepsakes from pretty much anyone with a mailbox.

But who is known to respond, and how do you contact them? And when do you send off these requests anyway?

To help, I searched the Internet and consulted a source closer to home — my dad, who sent away for the letters included in this post when I received my Eagle.

Continue reading »

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Watch Pip sing “Somewhere Only We Know”

24 April 2012

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Adam Levine warned his team that nobody was safe, and then he proved it.

Adam eliminated Pip, the Eagle Scout from Georgia, at the end of last night’s episode of The Voice. This twist denied Pip’s supporters the chance to vote to save him.

I gotta say, I’m sorry to see Pip go. I was an instant fan after his rendition of “House of the Rising Sun” during the blind auditions. And after speaking with the young man on the phone a couple of months ago, I was even more impressed by the 19-year-old’s maturity and humility. No surprise for an Eagle Scout, I guess.

So Pip is off The Voice, but I’ve got a feeling his journey is just beginning. He’s got the right look, strong singing skills, and — just as important — a great attitude. Continue reading »

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Tune in to ‘The Voice’ tonight and save Pip from elimination

23 April 2012

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For Pip, the stakes keep getting higher.

The 19-year-old Eagle Scout sings live tonight on NBC’s The Voice with even more on the line.

Pip grew up singing at Eagle Scout courts of honor.

In other words, he needs your help more than ever.

Here’s tonight’s twist: After each of the four singers on Pip’s team performs, coach Adam Levine must instantly eliminate one member of his team. (Cee Lo Green will do the same for his team.)

“There’s more pressure,” Pip told me, “but in a way it’s more exciting. It adds another factor to the show that we haven’t had before.”

Assuming Pip survives that cut, the power again shifts to you, me, and millions more watching at home. With more on the line, Team Bowtie and Team Scouting must do even more to keep Pip in the running.

Here’s how to do your Good Turn for this Eagle Scout singer:

Continue reading »

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Watch Pip sing ‘When You Were Young’

10 April 2012

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Missed last night’s live episode of The Voice? I’ve got you covered.

Check out the video below to see Pip, the Eagle Scout I’ve been telling you about for months, sing “When You Were Young” by The Killers.

Tonight at 9/8 Central on NBC we’ll learn whether the votes from Team Scouting and Team Bowtie were enough to send Pip to the next round.

Here’s hoping! Continue reading »

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New study shows 46 ways Eagle Scouts are different

10 April 2012

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Eagle Scouts are a different breed. You know it; I know it.

And today, we’ve got independent, scientific proof to back up our claim.

At last, the results are in from the 2010 Baylor University study, Eagle Scouts: Merit Beyond the Badge, conducted by the university’s Program for Pro-Social Behavior under a grant from the John Templeton Foundation.

The researchers found statistically significant differences between Eagle Scouts, former Scouts who didn’t make Eagle, and men who were never in Scouting. The differences were grouped into seven areas: Health and Recreation, Connection, Service and Leadership, Environmental Stewardship, Goal Orientation, Planning and Preparedness, and Character.

The timing’s perfect with the 100th anniversary of the Eagle Scout Award this year. But what were the findings? How did Eagle Scouts rate? Read on for my complete analysis.

Continue reading »

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Catch Pip live tonight on ‘The Voice’ and give him your vote!

9 April 2012

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Updated with voting info  — see in red below. Voting closes at 10 a.m. Eastern on Tuesday, April 10.

If everybody gets 15 minutes of fame, Pip is in overtime.

The Eagle Scout who grew up singing at troop courts of honor has been on screen for at least 20 minutes so far on The Voice, NBC’s top-rated reality singing competition.

While in Scouts, Pip sang at courts of honor and other troop functions.

And that’s been enough for fans nationwide to get behind the Georgia native with the silky pipes. Fans of Pip are rallying on Facebook and Twitter, calling themselves Team Bowtie, a nod to the 19-year-old’s neckwear.

How is Pip handling his overnight fame? He called me last week during rehearsals in Los Angeles to share.

“I have only been on TV for 20 minutes total, but the fact that all these people are following me on Twitter and constantly messaging me and creating fan pages — it’s a little overwhelming,” he said. “These are people who have taken time out of their lives to be a part of mine. It’s a weird feeling, but it’s cool at the same time. It’s something that you worked for, and you always hoped would happen but never thought it would.”

For Pip’s dream ride to continue, though, he needs the help of Team Scouting. Read on to find out how you can do a Good Turn for this Eagle Scout.

Continue reading »

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WATCH: Eagle Scout receives American Spirit Award

27 March 2012

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Remember Spencer Zimmerman, the Eagle Scout triathlete with the heart of a champion?

It’s impossible to forget the inspiring story of the young man — just 13 at the time — who pushed, pulled, and carried his friend with cerebral palsy through a grueling three-hour triathlon. If you missed this tale of selflessness, grab a box of Kleenex and click here.

Over the weekend, 15-year-old Spencer’s stirring effort gained national recognition when he received the American Spirit Award from the Boy Scouts of America and the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation.

Continue reading »