AHS seniors, brothers each make Eagle Scout

Since its creation in 1911, only about 4 percent of Scouts have attained the rank of Eagle Scout (the highest rank in the Scouts BSA of Scouting America), which makes what Auburn High School seniors and brothers Andrew and Owen Bennett have accomplished even more special. 

The duo were awarded their medals and badges at a recent ceremony. According to Scouts BSA, “requirements (for Eagle Scout) include earning at least 21 merit badges, of which 14 are mandatory. The Eagle Scout must demonstrate Scout Spirit, an ideal attitude based upon the Scout Oath and Law, service, and leadership, which includes an extensive service project that the Scout plans, organizes, leads, and manages.”

“Making Eagle Scout is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication,” Owen Bennett said. “To achieve the rank of Eagle requires years of work and commitment, and I feel that achieving the rank is proof of my work ethic and dedication to my community and myself.” 

“Eag

le to me means dedication and service; it's not necessarily difficult to obtain, but takes years of commitment to achieve,” Andrew Bennett said. “It shows the efforts I've put in for so many years of my life. It shows all my achievements, and I hope it can help show the leader I try to be.”

Owen’s community service project was to construct three raised garden beds in the back gardens of the Seward House and then plant a variety of herbs and vegetables. 

“I believe that it went incredibly well, and all of the representatives from the Seward House agree,” he said. “To build the gardens, I used refurbished materials from a renovation (to their carriage houses), keeping the history inside that lumber at the historical site.”

Andrew’s project was building a Pollinator Garden at Everest Park.

“It went great, the garden is still going strong, and I plan to continue caring for it this summer to help it further establish itself,” he said.

The Bennett brothers have been involved in Scouting for years, and earning the Eagle Scout rank is the culmination of a special shared journey.

“Making Eagle with my brother is truly amazing,” Owen said. “I have ascended through ranks with him and have shared many memories of scouting with him. While we were working on our projects, he helped me carry mine out, and I did the same for him. I am incredibly happy that both of us got to the rank of Eagle together, finishing the journey we traveled together.”

“It means a lot to me to make it with my brother, we joined the same day, and it's really great to have made it all the way to Eagle on the same day,” Andrew said. “We've always been together through scouting, and there's no one I'd rather achieve it with.

“I want to mention how grateful I am for everyone who's helped me along my journey, especially my family and troop leaders for all they've done to help me succeed.”

Both Bennett brothers are ranked in the top 10 academically for the Class of 2026 with Andrew being the salutatorian. Andrew plans on majoring in engineering, and Owen will study finance and pre-law. Both play sports in the fall, winter and spring and are involved in different extracurricular activities, including multiple clubs. 

“The rank of Eagle will definitely help me down the road,” Owen said. “I am incredibly proud of my achievement and hope that others will recognize the hard work behind it as I meet them. I plan on attending a four-year university next year, and hope to meet other Eagle Scouts to work and succeed with.”

“Making Eagle was always the goal, so it won't change my future plans,” Andrew said. “It's taught me a lot about what I want to do, but in the end, I always wanted it to come to this, so it's been a part of my plans all along.”

– Christopher Sciria / AECSD Public Information Specialist