Montana Heather earns Eagle Scout Badge

Among the many honors and merits to be earned as a member of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), one stands out from all the rest - the rank of Eagle Scout. The process is intensive, with badge requirements, an individually led community project, and approval by the Eagle Scout board of review.

Montana Heather, a senior at Niwot High School, has recently joined the ranks of just over 4% of scouts and earned his Eagle Scout Badge after years of hard work and persistence. Having received his approval from the board, Heather has now attained the highest rank possible in the BSA.

Heather has been a part of the BSA since he was in first grade. He takes his new position very seriously, living by the saying "Once an Eagle, always an Eagle." Heather said that along with learning to navigate the outdoors, his time as a boy scout has taught him how to behave as a respectable member of society.

"I know I am now part of a group of prestigious people and have to conduct myself as so," Heather acknowledged. "Living by the Scout Oath and Law is a must, and I feel that living these sayings helps a person become the best version of themselves possible."

In addition to the Eagle Scout requirements of at least 21 merit badges, and demonstration of "Scout Spirit" and leadership, all Eagle Scout applicants must plan, develop, and lead an individual Eagle Project which demonstrates commitment and charity towards their community.

Heather's project has brought a brand new sign for the town of Niwot to life, which he designed, built, and landscaped under the guidance of Niwot resident Bert Cashman. Heather said, "I wanted to have something local that would be there for decades; something I could possibly show my kids in many years."

Heather said that the project was the most difficult part of the process for him. His plan took him over a year-and-a-half to come up with something he was happy with, and the actual follow-through took over two years.

"Finding a location was the first problem as some organizations wanted it in one place while others wanted it somewhere else, and when I finally decided on a place, Boulder County didn't approve," Heather revealed. "I had to dance around the wants and needs of several organizations before finally finding a place, and then I discovered this new place I settled on had electrical wires running all around under it."

Finally, after finding the perfect location, it took another few months to actually design the sign. Heather had to come up with a design for the actual sign, as well as choose rock type, color, size, and shape. After all the planning and staging, Heather's sign finally went up last August, and can be seen by motorists entering Niwot on Niwot Road from Highway 119 (the Diagonal).

Heather said that though the feeling of finally completing all of his requirements is incredibly gratifying, he struggled with completing all of his many requirements. "In the last few years, when the only thing I had left to do was my Eagle Project, it seemed impossible and progress was made so slowly. I found myself wondering if it really would be all worth it in the end. It was."

Heather has always enjoyed the outdoors, and the adventure aspect of being in the BSA. He said that one of his fondest memories is when he traveled to Key West with his troop to stay on a sailboat for a week, learning to tie knots, fish, and snorkel. "I was the youngest of the group but this was no problem as I connected with the older scouts really well....No words can put together the bonding experience we had together and it will certainly be a fond memory I look back on for many years."

Now that Heather has completed a process many years in the making, he looks forward to graduating from high school and going to college to study kinesiology. Although he hasn't decided on a school yet, he plans on completing medical school and becoming a physician in sports medicine, a goal that will surely take perseverance, and strength, which Heather has proven to be truly capable of. Once an Eagle, always an Eagle.