Akhil Kalepalli, a senior at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, has completed his Eagle Scout project in his quest toward the prestigious Eagle Scout Award.
Nationally, less than five percent of students who join the scouts will go on to achieve this honor.
A major component of earning the award is the completion of the Eagle Scout project. In order to become an Eagle Scout, an individual must show leadership and strong character while working through a variety of service projects. In organizing their culminating projects, potential Eagle Scouts have to identify a need in their community, develop a plan to address it, gather resources and lead a team to get the job done.
Kalepalli’s project was designed to benefit the entire BRHS community. His Eagle Scout project was to build four benches and landscape the area they were placed in. His work can be seen right outside the 100 building near the covered walkway.
Kalepalli has been part of Troop 88 for six years, a troop that is based at Eisenhower Intermediate School. In discussing his path to becoming an Eagle Scout, Kalepalli shared that the badge he is the most proud of is his Life Scout badge. This badge directly precedes the Eagle Scout rank.
One of the biggest challenges that Kalepalli faced in completing his Eagle Scout project was keeping his team motivated and on task while enjoying the process. He said that it can be easy to lose focus and get lost in conversation when those who work together are having a good time. When leading, it can be difficult to find a balance between having fun and being productive.
Kalepalli will earn his Eagle Scout Award in the spring.
