Earning an Eagle Scout has always carried a special significance not only in the Boy Scouts, but also as the scout enters higher education, business or industry, and community service.
Notre Dame recently has learned that Ryan Flaherty, a ninth grader in the school's upper division, earned Eagle Scout status from the Boy Scouts of America. Flaherty completed his requirements June 27 and received Eagle status Oct. 6.
Flaherty's project requirement was to build a bridge on Notre Dame's property that currently is used on practice trails run by the school's cross-country teams.
Flaherty, who originally is from Normal, Ill., has been active in Troop 1037 for almost four years now. He's earned over 30 merit badges and is a member of the Order of the Arrow. Discussing his Eagle Scout project, Flaherty said: "We built a bridge over a creek on a cross-country course and it took over 130 hours." He says he and his team completed the bridge in May and officially became and Eagle Scout in June. "Also, I met some of my best friends through scouting," he adds, "including many members of my patrol."
According to Boy Scouts of America, only five percent of the nearly three million scouts nationwide earn Eagle Scout status. Flaherty also participates in debate at Notre Dame and was himself a member of the Fighting Irish cross-country team, which finished the season Saturday at the state championships.
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