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Grewal
Earns Prestigious Eagle Scout Rank
A Wonderful evening in Diamond Palace Cuisine
of India! On January 7th, 2009, Vikrant Singh Grewal was elevated to the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout, the highest honor in the Boy Scouts of America.
On the evening of April 4th, 2009, Vikrant’s Eagle Court of Honor Ceremony was remarkably different than any other. Because of his Indian background, he decided that he would have it in Diamond Palace, Cuisine of India in Diamond Bar, California. For the NRIs (non-resident-Indians), this was a new environment, with ethnic food. For Indians, Eagle Scout was a completely new concept to them. These two elements blended perfectly to produce an unforgettable night. Among the audience were the Honorable Elliott Rothman, Mayor of Pomona, and Council Member Tim Saunders. The mayor presented Vikrant with Pomona’s highest award.
Vikrant Grewal, dressed in an Eagle Scout outfit was greeted by more than 100 guests, along with his parents- Mr Harminder S Grewal, Mrs Malkit Grewal and his beautiful sister. The ceremony started at around 5:30 pm with wonderful slow music and spicy snacks. A delicious dinner was served after the ceremony. It was a ceremony to remember to all of the guests and of course Vikrant boy himself. The ceremony ended around 9pm and every one enjoyed this wonderful evening. Vikrant started his scouting career when he was 9 years old in cub scouts. He matriculated to boy scouts when he was 11 years old. He entered in as a scout, the lowest rank. He became a Tenderfoot, then Second-class, then First-class, then Star, then Life, and then Eagle. Up until First-class, Vikrant learned basic skills that helped him survive in the wilderness. Then, beginning with Star, Vikrant started giving back to his fellow scout in Troop 7 of Pomona, California and acquired leadership skills. Vikrant was also required do community service and complete Eagle-required merit badges, which each teach specific skills that will be most useful in the future. When Vikrant became a Life scout, he was required to do further community service and complete additional Eagle-required merit badges. On top of this, he had to plan and execute an Eagle Service Leadership Project. Vikrant chose to create replica mining furniture for a growing replica mining site at the San Gabriel Valley Environmental Education Center. His project took over 150 hours to complete and benefited over 15,000 students who visit and learn from the site every year. On top of completing the requirements to become an Eagle Scout, Vikrant boasts an impressive record in scouting. He has been in scouting for over 10 years, climbed over 20,000 feet (that’s more than base camp to the top of Mt. Everest), hiked 177 miles, biked near 100 miles, and camped over 100 nights, more than any other scout or adult leader inside of Troop 7. The Boy Scouts of America is a foundation that builds character, teaches life-long lessons, and instills new skills that can be used both in the wild and in the modern world. In a sense, the Boy Scout of America is the pride of the youth of America. The life of a scout is measured by twelve standards, as dictated by the Scout Law: “A scout is trustworthy, loyal helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. An Eagle Scout epitomizes these values and is a model to all youth. To become an Eagle Scout, a boy has to go through various ranks and accomplish multiple tasks. Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) The BSA operates traditional Scouting locally through units sponsored and operated by churches, clubs, civic associations, educational organizations and the like. Units are led entirely by volunteers who are supported by local councils using both paid professionals and volunteers. Those who attain this rank are called an Eagle Scout or Eagle. Since its introduction 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than 1.7 million young men. The title of Eagle Scout is held for life, thus giving rise to the phrase "Once an Eagle, always an Eagle". Requirements include earning at least 21 merit badges and demonstrating Scout Spirit, service, and leadership. This includes an extensive service project that the Scout plans, organizes, leads, and manages. Eagle Scouts are presented with a medal and a badge that visibly recognizes the accomplishments of the Scout. Additional recognition can be earned through Eagle Palms, awarded for completing additional tenure, leadership, and merit badge requirements. Only 4% of boy scouts are able to attain the rank of Eagle, and
so those who do are given an Eagle Court of Honor Ceremony, a formal
recognition of the Eagle award. It was a memorable experience, and
as one of Vikrant’s scout leaders put it, “this is not
the end, but the beginning of a new chapter in life.”
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