Isaac Joseph, 14, poses with his parents, Monica and Ben Joseph, after his Eagle Scout court of honor ceremony on Sept. 9 at Fuquay-Varina United Methodist Church. Joseph is Troop 320's newest Eagle Scout.
Surrounded by other Eagle Scouts from the area, Isaac Joseph takes his Eagle oath at the court of honor ceremony on Sept. 9 at Fuquay-Varina United Methodist Church.
As Isaac Joseph takes the next step in life, it’s clear he knows how to set and achieve goals.
The 14 year old earned the rank of Eagle in a court of honor ceremony Sept. 9 at Fuquay-Varina United Methodist Church.
A member of Troop 320 for just three and a half years before earning scouting’s highest award, Joseph has proven his abilities with the positions of den chief, senior patrol leader, web master and chaplain’s aide.
“Isaac has done more to guide and direct our troop than probably any other scout,” Scoutmaster Glenn Traylor said.
Joseph also has shown his ability to persevere. Recently, 10 boys and four adults from Troop 320 traveled to Philmont, N.M., where they hiked some 40 to 45 miles of steep grade and dangerous trails all while holding all of their gear on their backs.
Joseph had a hard time carrying his backpack during preparatory hiking trips. So, he set goals to improve his physical fitness by running and playing soccer. Joseph was in top shape by the time the group left for New Mexico last month.
“You’ve always been an inspiration to me,” Traylor said to Joseph during the court of honor. “You do not know how to quit.”
But with the Eagle rank, Joseph was told by Assistant Scoutmaster Steve Fuller, the trail is not ending, but rather just beginning.
The troop leaders believe Joseph will head out on that trail an honorable, loyal, courageous, cheerful and service-minded individual.
“He’s an excellent example of a scout, giving back to his community, giving back to his troop and to his pack,” Assistant Scoutmaster Don Gantt said.
Joseph believes scouting has made all the difference in his life. He has met other scouts from across the country since he became a Cub Scout in 2004 and had some amazing experiences other young men don’t get.
The journey hasn’t been without its obstacles. Joseph said he has learned from his position as SPL and through his Eagle Scout community service project to overcome disappointments and push through to create the best outcome.
Joseph’s Eagle project was done for Camp Agape. The camp has access to the Cape Fear River, but it was covered in brush and debris. Joseph led other scouts in a project to clean up the area and build picnic benches where camp goers could sit and look out at the river. The project took nearly a year with planning beginning last August.
He said the day after his project was completed, he learned that already the picnic area was being used by a group for a devotional time.
Through it all, Joseph said his family has been very supportive.
“I couldn’t have done it at all without my family,” he said. “Every contribution they had, I just really couldn’t have done it without them.”
Contact Kelly Griffith at kgriffith@heartlandpublications.com or 919-552-5675.
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