Achieving the Boy Scouts of America's highest honor soared to new heights Saturday afternoon when eight young men, including two brothers, from the same troop earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
The scouts, members of the St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church Boy Scout Troop 115, were recognized at a Court of Honor at St. Angela Hall. The scouts are Charles Whitmore Babineau, Eduardo Barquet-Arrambide, Ernesto Barquet-Arrambide, Austin Bradley Bell, Michael Antonio Collins, Christopher West Davis, John Michael Kitchens and Kyle Benton Racel.
"For eight boys to make Eagle Scout in an eight month's time period is almost unheard of," said Rick Kitchens, scoutmaster, whose son, John Michael, achieved the rank. "It's very rare. I've never heard of it happening. I am very proud of all of these boys. They have worked very hard. They've done it on their own with guidance and leadership."
To earn the rank of Eagle, each of the Boy Scouts had to develop, design and lead his own individual, community-service project to help others.
Brothers Ernesto and Eduardo have been involved in scouting since their family moved to Aiken eight years ago. Their sister, Elisa, is a Girl Scout.
For his Eagle Scout project, Ernesto, 17, built a bench near the bus stop and a bike rack for clients who seek help from Area Churches Together Serving.
"I learned a lot about leadership and teamwork," said Ernesto, a graduating senior at South Aiken Baptist Christian School who will attend Wofford College in Spartanburg in the fall to study pre-medicine. "The most rewarding part was to be able to help the community with such a great organization and to be able to make friendships that will last forever."
For Eduardo, 15, a freshman at Aquinas High School in Augusta, scouting is about leadership and friendship.
"I am honored," he said. "Lots of my friends know that I'm a Boy Scout, and just being able to celebrate with one of my closest friends, Michael Collins, has been a great experience."
Their father, Ernesto Barquet, said he is "very proud" of his sons.
"They started as Cub Scouts when they were little kids, and then they moved to Boy Scouts," he said. "To see them graduated as Eagle Scouts is one of the highest honors I could ever imagine. My heart is filled with joy because I know they have worked hard. It's a great recognition for their hard work."
A native of Aiken, Larry Wood is a general assignment reporter.
He joined the Aiken Standard in September 2014.