Photo courtesy of Roger Droz

David Droz, a senior at Kamiak High School, and about 30 volunteers from Boy Scout Troop 189, built a gazebo for the community garden at Pointe of Grace Lutheran Church in Mukilteo. The project was a requirement for Droz’s Eagle Scout award. Pictured are: David Droz, Alexander Werenka, Paul Sullivan, John Hookings, Nate Byquist, Tim Varner, Porter Reim, Chris Varner, Dennis McKinley and Bob Varner. 

Since he was a boy, David Droz knew he would follow in his father’s footsteps to become an Eagle Scout.

 

“It has something to do with family heritage,” he said. “My dad and his two brothers are Eagle Scouts, and my family has been very involved with scouting.”

 

Droz, a senior at Kamiak High School, earned the 21 merit badges and completed the service project required to obtain an Eagle Scout rank three months prior to his 18th birthday, the deadline for achieving scouting’s highest award.  

 

It was no easy task. Droz had a full schedule to work around while fulfilling the requirements of the 12-year Boy Scouts of America program.  Outside of the program, he also had AP classes, orchestra performances, and rehearsals for a school musical to worry about.

 

But besides help from his family to manage his busy calendar, Droz didn’t need to be pushed to earn his Eagle Scout rank.  He finished the program’s requirements on his own accord.

 

“Scouting was really his idea,” said Roger Droz, David’s dad.  “He was self-motivated; we didn’t have to push him.”

 

With three months to go until the Eagle deadline, Droz earned an additional five merit badges for the Bronze Palm – climbing, archery, art, photography and public speaking. Palms are additional awards Eagle Scouts can earn.

 

For his service project, Droz and about 30 volunteers from Troop 189 built a gazebo for the community garden at Pointe of Grace Lutheran Church in Mukilteo, which charters the troop.

 

He said the project was an opportunity for him to give back to the church, and that the gazebo will serve as a centerpiece and gathering place for those visiting the garden – including his Court of Honor ceremony held on Aug. 21.

 

“Creating something from nothing is a very fulfilling thing for me,” Droz said.  “Seeing a [structure] slowly rise is quite something.”

 

Droz said Boy Scouts has taught him the leadership, communication, public-speaking and organizational skills he needs to succeed in the “real world.”

 

“Scouting is very powerful,” he said.  “It has shaped my character, and it has made me a better leader and a better person.”

 

His scoutmaster, Brooke Burdick, said he’s seen firsthand how scouting has shaped Droz throughout the last 12 years. He said Droz has grown from a rather reserved, shy boy into a very confident and articulate young man.

 

“Achieving the Eagle Scout award is quite an endeavor; it requires a lot of work, a lot of study, and David got there,” Burdick said.  “I’m very proud of him.”

 

While earning the 21 merit badges for his Eagle Scout rank, Droz said he was introduced to several interests or hobbies he never would have considered otherwise, including geography, photography, art and climbing.

 

“I’m afraid of heights, and yet I was able to complete the [climbing] merit badge,” he said.  “It taught me to overcome my fears.”

 

As an Eagle Scout, Droz hopes to be a leader in his community and to lead by example for other scouts.  He’s also looking into becoming a counselor for Camp Black Mountain, a Boy Scout camp in Silver Lake, during the summers.

 

Now that he has his Eagle, Droz said he’s going to focus more on music – he’ll be principal second violin in Kamiak’s Philharmonic Strings I and the Uberkammerstreich chamber orchestra – and on getting into college.

 

At least for now, Droz said.  After all, he said, once an Eagle Scout, always an Eagle Scout.

 

“Scouting will always be a part of my life,” Droz said.  “Wherever I am, I’m sure I’ll find opportunities to help the local Boy Scout troops, and I’ll eventually go back with my kids.”