Brandon Shively recently joined the ranks of a select group of gentlemen: Eagle Scouts.  Brandon is a recent graduate of Pitman High School who joined Boy Scouts in the 2nd grade with his two longtime friends. After performing numerous hours of community service to earn his 21 merit badges, Brandon was awarded his Eagle Award, the highest rank attainable in the program, in a ceremony on Sunday.

The Eagle Award is the ultimate award that every Boy Scout aims to achieve and scouts must prove themselves through their final project, or Eagle Project. Each scout has to plan a venture from inception to completion and Brandon chose a flag retirement ceremony.

“My goal was to collect as many flags as possible and to teach people about flag etiquette. I’ve always had a huge respect for the American flag,” said Brandon.

After collecting nearly 100 flags Brandon performed the retirement ceremony at Fire Station 2 in Turlock with fellow scouts, members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Turlock Police Department in attendance. Brandon looks forward to continuing to put his Boy Scouts skills to use in other capacities, such as serving as a climbing assistant at a summer camp where he teaches campers about knots and safety.

His love of the outdoors has spurred Brandon’s involvement in the Venturing Program, which is an outdoors program that is completely run by youth between 14 and 21 years of age.  Most recently the Venturing crew, of which Brandon is a designated lifeguard, took a trip to Lake McSwain to go swimming and hiking.

“I love the mountains, being outdoors. If there is one thing I like to do in my free time it is that,” said Brandon.

Brandon intends to become a certified nursing assistant in the near future and work until next summer where he will continue as a climbing assistant until he enrolls at Modesto Junior College next fall. In the meantime, he will enjoy his recent honor and keep the success in mind as he faces future challenges because as Brandon put it, “You’re an Eagle for life.”