Villegas earns Eagle Scout rank

Daniel Villegas, 14, has earned the rank of Eagle Scout, and a Court of Honor will be held for him on Wednesday, July 27, at 7pm.

To earn the rank of Eagle, a scout is required to attend campouts, earn merit badges, and demonstrate specific skills that are physically and mentally challenging.

When asked what was his most difficult, challenging and rewarding project, Villegas said it was his Eagle Scout Project: a youth leadership summer camp. This required Villegas to plan, organize and coordinate an entire two-day leadership camp from scratch.

The “Summer B.L.A.S.T.“ Camp was attended by 25 area youth. Villegas invited several speakers to talk about leadership and teamwork topics, and numerous hands-on activities allowed the participants to apply what they learned. One of the speakers was Ms. CNMI World Tracy Del Rosario.

Villegas said the hardest achievement of his Camp was organizing and obtaining local sponsors, but the community responded with great support.

Villegas said that what he learned most in Scouts was how important it is to show and demonstrate leadership in his community and that he learned to recognize the needs of others. He also learned how important it is to be a leader because the “world really needs someone who is a leader and, in Boy Scouts, it helped me become a leader.”

Despite it being his most difficult project, Villegas also considers his Eagle Scout Project the most fun, not to mention the 2005 Summer Boy Scout Camp.

After earning his Eagle, Villegas will continue to be an active Scout in Troop 913, and support others in their quest for the rank of Eagle.

Daniel is the son of Janel and Rik Villegas, and he has been with the Boy Scouts for four years.

The public is invited to attend Daniel’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor, which will be held at the Cultural hall at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (near McDonald’s) on Middle Road.

“Once an Eagle, always an Eagle, and all those who are Eagle Scouts are invited to take their place at the ‘Eagle’s Nest.’ Please join us for the Eagle Scout Court of Honor being held for Daniel Villegas,” said a statement from Carolyn Kern, Advancement Coordinator of the Boy Scouts of America, Saipan Troop 913.