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Boy Scout Troop 316, sponsored by St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Prosperity, recently presented James Ballantyne the Eagle Scout Award at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor.

In recognition of 2012 marking the 100th anniversary of the awarding of the first Eagle Scout Award, the Boy Scouts of America created a special commemorative rank patch. The unique Eagle Scout patch states, “Eagle Scout Centennial, 1912-2012.

Ballantyne’s Eagle Board of Review was conducted on May 1 completing his goal of reaching the rank of Eagle Scout.

Ballantyne is the son of Penny and James Ballantyne of Prosperity. He has a younger brother, Jared Ballantyne, who is also in scouting.

Scoutmaster Mike Cousins presented the Eagle Medal to James Ballantyne’s mom who proudly pinned it on her son’s uniform. James Ballantyne then presented his mom with the Eagle Scout Mother’s Pin.

Since joining boy scouts in 2006, he earned 38 merit badges in his Eagle Scout quest. His final position of responsibility as a youth member was as Senior patrol leader. He is also a member of the Boy Scouts of America Order of the Arrow. James Ballantyne actively participated in his troop as he learned leadership skills, earned merit badges, built character and had fun.

James Ballantyne was escorted along the symbolic “Trail to Eagle” by assistant scoutmaster Logan Beard. The Eagle Scout Challenge was given by Troop 316’’s first Eagle Scout, Andrew Cousins. Youth members of the troop actively participated in the meaningful ceremony.

For his Eagle Scout project, James provided leadership, planned, raised funds, secured materials, supplies, tools and permissions to repair St. Luke’s Lutheran Church playground.

The project was needed as the well-utilized playground had become unattractive and unsafe. Over 100 hours were spent on the project by James Ballantyne and troop members.

Fellow church members, friends and family generously donated financially to fund the project. Additional funds not needed for the project were donated to the bus fund at St. Luke’s.

Congratulations to James Ballantyne and all 2012 Eagle Scouts who celebrate a century of America’s youth striving to be prepared to make moral and ethical choices over their lifetimes by values instilled in them by the Scout Oath and Law.