Eagle Scout | Spotlight

Meet Patrick Jaime, this week’s Eagle Scout Spotlight.  Patrick earned his Eagle at the age of 13, earned 120 merit badges before turning 18, along with numerous other awards as a Venturer.  He is currently studying criminal justice at California Coast University, in pursuit of a career in law enforcement.  Patrick continues to give back to Scouting as an active member of the Muir District Operating Committee and the Golden Gate Area Council’s Commissioner Corps.

“Earning Eagle Scout does not signify reaching the top, but rather your personal willingness to keep going beyond.”

Patrick Jaime

Tell us a little bit about you…

I live in Concord, California and I attend California Coast University through distance learning.  I am studying criminal justice as I plan to pursue a career in law enforcement.  

I am active in the Muir District as the Communications Chair, Associate Village Adviser for Wek-Wek (Order of the Arrow), and Merit Badge Counselor.  In the Golden Gate Area Council, I serve as the Assistant Council Commissioner for Venturing, Communications Committee Member for website and social media, and Associate Venturing Officers’ Association Volunteer Advisor.  

In addition, I serve as a member of the Western Region Venturing Committee’s Marketing and Communications Team.

When and where do you earn your Eagle Scout?

I earned my Eagle Scout rank on August 13, 2013 at the age of 13 and was registered with Troop 317, Concord, California, Muir District, Legacy Mt. Diablo Silverado Council.

What did you do for your Eagle Project?

My Eagle Scout Service Project was a 500 foot walking trail restoration at Markham Nature Park in Concord, California.  The original trail at the park had been overrun with invasive weeds and threatening natural wildlife.  My work party split into teams to spread natural wood chips to restore the trail.

Did you have a favorite merit badge(s)? Did any merit badges(s) lead to a hobby or profession?

My favorite merit badge was First Aid.  This merit badge was memorable for me because it was my first one that I earned.  First Aid is important to me since it goes hand in hand with being prepared.  Cuts, bruises, sprains, fractures, stopped breathing, etc., are all common non-life threatening/life-threatening situations in everyday life.  It was fun to learn how to treat or respond to these health or medical cases.

Eagle Fact
First Aid joined Athletics, Life Saving, Personal Health, and Public Health, as the original five Eagle required merit badges listed in 1912. First Aid has remained an Eagle required merit badge to this day.

What does being an Eagle Scout mean to you?

To me, being an Eagle Scout is an achievement that is personal whilst being so much more.  The Eagle Scout rank serves as a constant reminder that anything can be accomplished if so desired.  However, the principles and ideals that serve as the bedrock of being an Eagle Scout remains prevalent.  There are many paths, options, and choices in life with some being right, wrong, or trivial.  To do our best to live up to Scout Oath and Scout Law is the representation of what it means to be an Eagle Scout.

Reaching the end of the Trail to Eagle is where you are finally ready to accept the Challenge.  Earning Eagle Scout does not signify reaching the top, but rather your personal willingness to keep going beyond.  Just as an eagle soars, so too does an Eagle Scout constantly strive for greater heights and endeavors.

Do you have any advice for your fellow Eagles, or for those working towards becoming an Eagle? Or is there common advice that you think should be ignored?

The Trail to Eagle is one that is most certainly not easy and not automatic.  There is a reason only about 2% of all Scouts since 1912 have earned the rank of Eagle Scout.  You have to be committed to do whatever it takes and whatever is required to earn your wings.  Stay true to the Scout Oath and Scout Law, set your sights high to achieve your vision, and never give up.

If you could add a thirteenth point to the scout law, what would it be?

If I were to add a thirteenth point to the Scout Law, it would be clairvoyant.  As Lord Baden-Powell once said, “Look wide, beyond your immediate surroundings and limits, and you see things in their right proportion. Look above the level of things around you and see a higher aim and possibility to your work.”  This however, would not be positioned after reverent but precedes it.  I believe faith is the most important foundation in the Scout Law and should not be superseded by a thirteenth point if one were to be added.

Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers?

The top goal that is promoted in Scouting is to earn the Eagle Scout rank.  As mentioned earlier, not everyone earns the rank as only about 2% of all Scouts since 1912 have earned Eagle.  That does not mean the rest failed or are incapable of achievement.  It simply means that the Eagle rank was not for them and therefore not what they wanted out of Scouting.  

The beauty of the Scouting program is that you don’t have to be an Eagle Scout to learn lifelong skills or improve yourself.  Anyone in Scouting has numerous opportunities to learn new things, give back to the community, and continue to serve the program that helps develop youth into future leaders of good ethical and moral character.