Debra Klevens

Christopher Narishkin lights the red, white and blue candles to symbolize what he will do to honor his expectations as an Eagle Scout.

Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable for Boy Scouts of America. Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than two million young men and although they are typically 18 when they receive this rank, one young man was able to earn this title a few years early.

Freshman Chris Narishkin officially became an Eagle Scout on Feb. 25.

“Being a Scout in general comes with being trustworthy and doing what you say you’ll do. We do it to represent our country and people. Ten words all Scouts train and serve under are trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent,” Narishkin said.

Narishkin’s father also participated in Scouts when he was younger, reaching the second highest rank of a Life Scout, inspiring his son to want to follow in his footsteps.

“My dad grew up all over the world and he tried to become an Eagle Scout, but couldn’t because of his current location. He encouraged me to go through every stage of scouting. I’ve been through Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, so I’ve participated for nine years so far. I joined when I was four, and growing up I wanted to make my father proud,” Narishkin said.

Taking scouts to the next level is easier said than done. In order to become a definite Eagle Scout, Narishkin had to put in hours of work and service. He also attended seminars to become more educated and involved in his duties.

“I needed 30 signatures in order to be approved for my next ranking. I had to talk about my plan to achieve my goal with my scout master. I also had to do an Eagle Scout project which required more signatures from volunteers who help with the process. A board of review monitored me as I went,” Narishkin said.

Narishkin’s project was to hand build a picnic table for Longview Farm Park. The park supplied him with materials, and it was up to him to do the rest.

“I cut and handled wood myself, and also planted ferns and cut down honeysuckle. I took an hour just to clear the area, but it was definitely satisfying when it was all said and done,” he said. “There was one time though when I was with my family in a car, and we lost a whole page of signatures. We looked everywhere for the sheet and had to backtrack which delayed my initiation a month.”

After all the chaos and long hours spent on projects and seminars, a ceremony was held to honor his achievement of becoming an Eagle Scout.

“I had to write a speech on my life ambitions and it ended up being three pages. My ambition is that I would like to work for NASA or BOEING and how I want to use Scouts to keep changing my life,” Narishkin said.

Narishkin plans to continue with the Scout program and take on additional responsibilities.

“I can stay active in the troop and I can also do Sea Scouts which I have until I’m 21 to do. It’s like being a double Eagle Scout, which is even more time and energy so it will be a challenge,” he said. “The sense of being completed is overwhelming. The community and the friendships I’ve made are great. I’ve really learned how to be a leader, and have been introduced to real world experiences I wouldn’t have had until I was an adult if it weren’t for Scouts.”