More Than 200 Tampa Bay Scouts Honored For Earning Eagle Rank

TAMPA BAY, FL — Eagle Scouts were honored recently for their community service, leadership and accomplishments with a reception given by the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council of Boy Scouts of America.

The rank of Eagle Scout is the highest in Scouting and requires earning at least 21 badges, completing an Eagle Scout community service project, and holding leadership positions in the Scouting unit. It can be earned by both boys and girls by their 18th birthday.

The council had 206 Scouts earn the rank between May 1, 2021, and April 30, 2022, said council board member Nick Digirolamo, who served as master of ceremony for the May 22 event recognizing those Eagles.

The Eagle Scouts, dressed in their uniforms, paraded into the banquet hall at the USF Embassy Suites with a standing ovation from family members, Scout leaders and friends.

Digirolamo told the Eagles, “You are the best and brightest Scouting has to offer.”

He said that the 206 Eagles had 24,328 of combined hours in volunteer labor for their Eagle Scout projects. He added that using the U.S. Department of Labor figures for employment, that was about $628,000 worth of service to the community.

The event also included the announcement of the council’s Eagle Scout Project of the Year.

Jacob Young, 17, of Lithia received the award for his bat house to house up to 3,000 bats. A member of Troop 61 and a Newsome High student, Young built it for the nonprofit Future of Hunting in Florida using $3,500 he raised for the project.

His project will be entered into the competition for the National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year, sponsored by the National Eagle Scout Association.