Posted on 19 April 2013 by La Habra Journal
By Daniel Hernandez
La Habra Journal
Through years of training, camping and learning the rougher yet simpler ways of life, the young members of Boy Scouts of America climb the steps of different ranks, learning to mature into responsible adults.
One young Sonora High School senior and ROTC student finds himself a step closer in that process.
After earning 21 merit badges and progressing through five rankings, Michael Zeyen, 17, completed his Boy Scout leadership service project on Tuesday at Sonora High School, inching him closer to maturing into the coveted ranking of an Eagle Scout.
“It’s challenging. It teaches you new things, something you don’t learn everyday like camping, living off the land and how to do everything you need to do to survive out in the wilderness,” Zeyen said about what life lessons he absorbed through his trek as a Boy Scout.
Also a cadet captain in the Sonora JROTC program, Zeyen designed and led the building of wooden plaques representing the ROTC ranking insignias to complete his leadership service project—one of the final steps in becoming an Eagle Scout.
The plaques, sizes 8.5” by 11”, are painted black with gold embossed symbols and have large magnets on the back, so they could stick to the metal walls in the school’s class room.
They were designed for Sonora JROTC teacher and 1st Sgt. David Marquez and presented as a gift to him and the school.
With the help of his father and older brother who realize the nature of his accomplishment — he has two older Eagle Scout brothers — the plaques were hung up high at the front of the JROTC class at Sonora.
Zeyen’s mother was also present to observe his accomplishment.
“Self confidence is a big thing,” his mother Shelly Zeyen said about what her son has obtained from the Boy Scouts of America. “You can do more than what you think you can do.”