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Community Corner

Ben Gross Earns rank of Eagle Scout

Norcross High School sophomore, Benjamin Booth Gross, a member of Boy Scout Troop 525 of Simpsonwood United Methodist Church, was awarded its 103rd Eagle Scout Award.  Ben began his trail to Eagle in first grade as a Tiger Scout.  As he moved through the scouting ranks, he earned the God and Country religious emblem and the Arrow of Light award, the highest award in cub scouting.  After crossing over to the Troop 525 Boy Scout Troop, Ben held several leadership positions including Chaplain Aide and Instructor.   This past summer, he traveled to the BSA high adventure camp at Sea Base in the Florida Keys and will be travelling to Cimarron, NM this summer for a week-long backpacking trek at the Philmont Scout Ranch. 

Ben is currently a sophomore at Norcross High School where he plays on the Lacrosse, Swim, Diving, and Water Polo teams.  He also holds varsity letters in both Lacrosse and Diving.   He is on the Student Council Executive Board, serves as the Junior Blue Crew chairperson, and is a member of Relay for Life, Norcross Student Leadership Team, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes as a small group leader.   He is also a member of Simpsonwood United Methodist Church where he has attended multiple mission trips. 

Ben, the son of Paul and Elizabeth Gross, received the award after earning 21 merit badges and completing his Eagle service project which entailed constructing 14 tables for Mercy Community Church which ministers to the homeless community of Atlanta.  To complete his project, he led a team of scouts, leaders and volunteers to build these tables and paint them with inspirational Bible verses to encourage the homeless. 

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It takes a significant amount of dedication and perseverance to obtain the rank of Eagle Scout, as only 5 of every 100 boys who join boy scouts will reach this pinnacle.  One hundred years after Arthur Eldred of New York earned this nation's first Eagle Scout Award,  new, independent research demonstrates the significant, positive impact Eagle Scouts have on society every day.  Since it was first awarded in 1912, more than 2 million young men have achieved the Boy Scouts of America's highest rank. The study conducted by Baylor University, Merit Beyond the Badges, found that Eagle Scouts are more likely than men who have never been in Scouting to:

·         Have higher levels of planning and preparation skills, be goal-oriented, and network with others

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·         Be in a leadership position at their place of employment or local community

·         Report having closer relationships with family and friends

·         Volunteer for religious and nonreligious organizations

·         Donate money to charitable groups

·         Work with others to improve their neighborhoods

For more information on Scouting, visit www.atlantabsa.org or call 770-989-8820.

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