Westminster Student Achieves Eagle Scout Rank through Local Service

Josh Sumner, a Boy Scout with Troop 314 in Webster Groves and a senior at Westminster Christian Academy, with the assistance of twelve other scouts, recently completed his Eagle Scout project. Josh’s project was to build three display-style bookcases for Ready Readers and install the bookcases at Agape Academy.

Boy Scout Troop 314 is sponsored by St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church. Josh has been an active member in scouting since he was in first grade. During his participation, Josh’s father, Walton Sumner, has also served in Josh’s troop as Den Chief for Cub Scouts and Scoutmaster for Boy Scouts.

Josh completed the bookcases in three days, leading the effort with twelve other scouts. In addition to constructing the bookshelves, he also coordinated a book drive to fully stock the shelves with age appropriate books for the children involved in Ready Readers. He collected nearly 100 books. Once completed, he visited Agape Academy in uniform and read to the preschool children – an aspect of his project that also serves as his senior service project at Westminster. “He really enjoys it,” says Carla Sumner, Josh’s mom. “Josh has loved reading and being read to since infancy.”

At Westminster, Josh is involved in We the People. He also runs on the school’s cross country and track teams and has served as captain of both teams. He received the Cross Country Wildcat Award in 2013 and 2014, the Most Improved in Track and Field in 2013, All State Honors in Cross Country in 2014, and was awarded third place in the cross country team state finish in 2014.

After graduation, Josh plans to pursue a college education that furthers his interests in criminal justice, psychology, exercise science, and athletic training.