Kamiakin district scouts advance to Eagle award

Several Whitman County Boy Scouts have achieved or are nearing the rank of Eagle Scout to date this year.

Cory Brown of Rosalia earned the distinction in January and received the award at a Court of Honor ceremony July 12.

Three Pullman High School students, Eric Lange, Robert Handy and Cody Leach earned their Eagle rank last the spring. Hunter Farnworth of Colfax got his in April and four other area boys have completed their projects and earned the required 21 merit badges. All that remains is a last review for each, which will take place in the fall. The majority pass.

“In 10 years I’ve never turned one down,” said Kent Zirker of Moscow, Chief Kamiakin District Advancement Chairman for Eagle Scouts.

The Eagle Scout distinction is achieved by 4 percent of boys who spend time in the Scout program, beginning as a Cub Scout first, then as Boy Scouts starting at age 11. Merit badges include such subjects as cooking, camping, First Aid and many more.

A scout’s final project is done for his community, school or church. The rank of Eagle must be reached by age 18.

Along the way, Zirker indicated competing interests get more involved in the high school years.

“We call it the fumes,” he said. “Car fumes and perfume.”

Nonetheless, when a scout earns the Eagle rank, it’s a distinction known nationally and internationally.

“We call it the best of the best,” Zirkin said. “These are good young men.”