Describe your Eagle project:
For my Eagle project, I designed, constructed and landscaped a garden trail behind my local elementary school and dedicated it to a retired principal. I transplanted along the trail a tulip poplar tree that had lived on the property in a poor location. Additionally, I planted at the site a white oak from Abraham Lincoln's tomb in Springfield, Ill. I concluded the project with a ceremony that officially opened the trail and gave honor to the retired principal, Mrs. Juliette Elias.

What are some highlights of your Scouting experience?
I have enjoyed camping at Yawgoog Scout Reservation with my troop every year. I also had the incredible opportunity of being able to go to the Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, N.M. Watching the sun rise while sitting at the top of the Tooth of Time (a mountain at Philmont, and the camp's most prominent symbol) was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I look forward to the 2010 National Scout Jamboree, where I will be leading one of the Narragansett Council's troops as a Senior Patrol Leader. The jamboree is sure to be a great adventure, one that will mark the close of my Scouting experience as a youth.

Explain why Scouting has been important to you and why it's still important to our community and nation after 100 years:
Scouting is important to me because of the opportunities that I have been afforded as a result of my participation in the program. From numerous merit badges to leadership training, Scouting has allowed me to gain knowledge and skills (at an incomparable rate) that I will be sure to use throughout the rest of my life. Scouting is essential to any strong community, as it provides a safe, exciting program for youths, where they can learn and grow to become intelligent, conscious citizens who are prepared for anything.