Miller receives Boy Scout’s highest ranking: Eagle Scout
BLOOMINGDALE – Boy Scouts of America Troop 12 of Gabriels recently announced that Michael Miller of Bloomingdale completed his Eagle Scout project and received the highest honor in scouting this past December.
Since its inception in 1911, only 4 percent of Boy Scouts complete the necessary requirements to achieve the highest ranking of Eagle Scout. After completing at least 21 merit badges, the prospective Eagle Scout then must conduct and direct an approved community project all before turning 18 years old.
Miller rose through the ranks of scouting starting with Cub Scouts as a seven-year-old and continued through Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, and Life until obtaining Eagle Scout.
“There are a lot of stereotypes surrounding scouting,” Miller said. “It’s more than just camping or having fun. It teaches you to be a part of a group that is larger than yourself. I learned a lot of leadership skills that I wouldn’t have learned anywhere else.”
Miller chose to refurbish the three softball/baseball fields behind the Bloomingdale fire station. Growing up he spent a lot of time on those fields and noticed the fields were deteriorating over time. He wanted to make sure the fields were in good condition for future generations.
He used tractors to dig up the current sod on the fields and sharpened the edges of the infield. Miller needed to research regulation ball field requirements and surmised that new red rock clay was necessary. To complete the job over 180-man-hours were required. The new fields were completed and able to be utilized for the summer of 2018.
Miller encourages others to join Scouts. He believes scouting gives you an opportunity to meet people you may not normally meet.
Now a freshman at St. Lawrence University, studying government and communications, Miller has been able to connect with other Eagle Scouts and creating immediate friendships. These experiences and friendships, he says, he has scouting to thank for and will remember them for the rest of his life.