Shifflett Soars to Eagle Scout

Boy Scouts of America is an organization that promotes leadership and survival skills. Many scouts start at a young age and trickle out as they enter their middle school and high school years, but not FCHS senior Devon Shifflett. Shifflett has been a boy scout for seven years and just recently reached the highest rank possible in the Boy Scouts: Eagle Scout.

Shifflett’s Eagle Scout ceremony celebrating his achievement took place on Feb. 10. Several of his friends, family members, scouts from his troop, and local Eagle scouts attended. Sheriff Eric Hess, FCHS Principal Margo Bruce, and Board of Supervisors member Patricia Eager also attended to commend Shifflett for his achievement.

Shifflett attributed his interest in the Boy Scouts to his family. His older brother, Aaron, started the scouts at a young age and is also an Eagle Scout. His father was an assistant scoutmaster for his troop before becoming the scoutmaster, and his mother was the committee chair. His family’s heavy involvement within the Boy Scouts encouraged him to work hard and continue participating in the scouts throughout his life, with the goal of one day becoming an Eagle Scout.

The process to becoming an Eagle Scout is a lengthy and challenging one. Shifflett said he’s been working towards becoming an Eagle Scout for the past seven years. “Everything you do from the day you start is to get to Eagle Scout,” he said.

There are a list of requirements that a scout must meet in order to graduate to Eagle Scout rank. Some of the requirements include serving as a Life Scout in a troop for six months, living by the Scout Oath and Scout Law while a Life Scout, earning 21 merit badges, and serving in a troop for at least six months in one of many roles of responsibility.

Shifflett has held six roles of responsibility within his troop, but is most proud of his positions as senior patrol leader and chaplain aide. As senior patrol leader, he is the main youth leader of the troop who leads patrols. He helps conduct church services and blesses the food as chaplain aide, a position he has held for seven years.

Another major requirement for reaching the Eagle Scout rank is the Eagle Scout project in which a scout is responsible for planning, fundraising, and executing a project designed to help their community. For his project, Shifflett built a community garden for the Saint Nicholas Learning Center composed of three raised beds, landscaping, and a herb trellis.

Shifflett said that in his journey to become an Eagle Scout, he faced many challenges, but struggled the most with time management. “Finding time to plan, coordinate, and execute the Eagle Scout project was definitely the hardest part,” he said.

With his new rank comes a lot more responsibility and expectations, as Eagle Scouts are held to a high standard as leaders in both their troop and their community. Shifflett plans to continue serving as a senior patrol leader and chaplain aide in his troop. He also hopes to help his community in the future by leading his troop on more service projects and volunteering where he can.

Shifflett will attend Longwood University in the fall to pursue a degree in history. He plans on teaching history to high schoolers and possibly having a career in music as well later on.