By Cindy Jahn
Special to The Leader
The newest member in Boy Scouts of America, Oxford resident Jeff Saunders, has just entered an elite group men, as an Eagle Scout.
Saunders, 18, recently fulfilled the long process of completing his rank advancements along with 21 merit badges to become an Eagle Scout in Oxford’s Troop 366.
He deserves all of the credit and was honored for all his achievements at his Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony on July 17, at the Oxford United Methodist Church.
A slide show presentation depicting Saunders, family and friends over the many years in scouting, from cub scouts all the way through and attaining the highest rank within Scouting.
Many flocked to see Jeff beaming on stage as Scout Patrol Leader Alec Berlingieri narrated a nice ceremony including all of the scouts (in attendance) walking behind our American Flag in troop style formation.
Inside the church were both of Saunders? sisters, Kristen and Amanda and brother Jimmy along with his parents Ms.Joanna and Mr. Jim Saunders.
His grin was unmistakable as he received many gifts, plaques, letters, metals, pins and even a hand- carved and painted eagle head from his home troop.
Saunders joined Pack 44, Cub Scouts in 1997 when he was in third grade.
He met the highest honor in cub scouting, The Arrow of Light, in 2000.
At the end of fifth grade, he joined Boy Scout Troop 284.
He made a troop change in 2003 while attending ninth grade to Troop 366 and from then on pursued his scouting career.
He was voted by his peers to enter the elite group of Boy Scouts called the Order of the Arrow in 2006.
This group of Boy Scouts attends the regular scout meetings along with O.A meetings focusing on more community service projects.
He was the President of Venture Crew 366 for one year before becoming our newest assistant scoutmaster in Troop 366.
The Eagle project he picked was to build blue bird houses and bird feeders for the nature program at Kingsbury School.
He attended Kingsbury School in Oxford, Notre Dame Prep and recently graduated with the class of 2007.
This fall he will be attending Michigan Technological University in Houghton.
Saunders hobbies include four years of football at Notre Dame, loves hiking,camping, lifting weights and in a few weeks will be taking a once in a life time trip to Philmont, Mexico for a 12-day hiking trip to the peak of Mt. Baldy.
The Boy Scouts of America’s focus on the values of integrity, honor and respect are all important requirements for lasting success.
All of them are needed to make a mark in this world.