The Eagle (Scout) Has Landed

SIDNEY — When Lance Christian was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout last week, he fulfilled both a personal and family goal. The oldest of five children and recent Sidney High School graduate followed in his father’s footsteps in reaching the highest level of scouting.

“My grandpa, he was a Life Scout, that’s one step away from being an Eagle Scout, and so he was kind of disappointed with himself and he made sure my dad got it. My dad got it by the time he was 14, and so my dad wanted me to get it,” Christian said.

Eagle Scout is the highest rank that a participant can achieve in the Boy Scouts of America. To achieve the honor, a scout must earn a series of specific merit badges, complete a special project, and demonstrate Scout spirit, leadership and service before his 18th birthday. Only two percent of all Scout participants achieve the Eagle rank.

Christian’s scouting journey began nearly a decade ago, but his drive to reach Eagle Scout was increased after he attended a Boy Scout national jamboree.

“The national jamboree, that was kind of the first big thing that put me in it. There was just a lot of guys there that were really cool and there were a lot of fun things to do and different opportunities,” Christian said.

The new Eagle Scout said achieving the rank was the culmination of hard work and dedication.

“A lot of it has been dedication to it and working hard enough to achieve something that will help throughout life.”

For his Eagle Scout project, Christian installed displays at Ash Hollow and Frog’s Head Bluff along the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail in conjunction with the National Park Service. The displays help mark the trail that Mormon pioneers travelled on their way to the Salt Lake Valley. Christian said he was inspired to take on the project after a member of his church, who happens to work for the park service, suggested it.

Christian will attend Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, in the fall where he plans to study chemical engineering.