Published: October 16, 2009 05:36 pm      

Homeschooled student makes Eagle Scout

EDMOND — Nicholas Massey, 14, a member of BSA Troop 11 in Edmond, has earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Nicholas is the son of Jeff and Sherri Massey of Edmond. Jeff is the Troop’s Scoutmaster.

For his Eagle Scout service project, Nicholas planned and constructed four wood and metal benches for Waterloo Road Baptist Church’s new playground. He raised $900 from individual contributions. After project expenses, he donated more than $300 to the church’s building fund. The project involved 175 hours of planning and work hours, including the supervision of 15 volunteers.

Nicholas joined Tiger Cubs in 2001, when he was 6 years old. Even though he was only 6, Nicholas said, “I thought it looked like fun.”

Nicholas said scouting has helped him mature and also helped him learn how to motivate other boys. “I have learned leadership skills and how to work with different types of people,” Nicholas said.

On a high adventure trip to New Mexico in May, he experienced Class 4 white water rafting and said it was the most exciting scouting experience he ever had.

“I would have to say the white water trip to New Mexico was the greatest scouting experience that I have had,” Nicholas said. “It was challenging and a lot of fun.”

He has earned 42 merit badges and is currently working on his Eagle Palms.

Nicholas has served as librarian, historian, assistant patrol leader, patrol leader and assistant senior patrol leader. He is now the troop’s senior patrol leader.

Nicholas is homeschooled and is in the eighth grade. He is a member of the Excel co-op. He enjoys fencing and is an avid reader, especially of science fiction and history books.

A member of Waterloo Road Baptist Church, Nicholas is active in the youth program and works on the volunteer technology team. As a member of his church’s Awana program, he earned the program’s two highest awards for achievement. He is a recipient of the Presidential Volunteer Service Gold award and has done service work for Free to Live, The Hope Center, Lake Arcadia and The Food Bank.

Nicholas was honored in a Court of Honor ceremony on Oct. 3 at his church.

Troop 11, which was organized and is led by homeschool families, meets twice a month at Waterloo Road Baptist Church. Troop 11 has four Eagle Scouts being recognized.

First-graders can join Tiger Cubs. Cub Scouts is for boys ages 7-11. Boys ages 11-18 participate in Boy Scouts.

For more information about Troop 11 or Pack 1, visit www.homeschoolscouts.org/troop11.