Troop 711 honors three new Eagle Scouts

On April 6 BSA Troop 711 held a Court of Honor at the Trillium Gathering Building in Purcellville and presented three scouts with their Eagle Scout awards. Only five percent of scouts achieve this top honor. Over the last 20 years 106 scouts from troop 711 have received this award, including these latest three – Jude McKay, Alex Kyle, and Soren McKay.

Troop 711 Committee Chair, and former Troop 711 Scoutmaster Scott Walker, delivered the Eagle Charge and Pastor Henry Lough of Blue Ridge Bible Church gave the benediction. Life-to-Eagle coordinator John Stock was master of ceremonies.

Jude McKay was a Senior Patrol Leader for over two terms during the toughest times of Covid-19 when the troop met virtually, as well as orchestrated socially distanced outings. Jude led and recruited new members and was instrumental in keeping the troop going during the transitional time.

Jude’s Eagle project was constructing a shade structure for The Kids Club of Northern Shenandoah Valley, including working through the difficult permitting process.

Alex’s is a well-rounded scout, whose achievements included hiking the eighty-five miles at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico and having earned thirty-nine merit badges on various subjects. Alex has aided numerous fellow scouts as they move through their rank advancements as well as coached his fellow scouts on many outings.

Alex’s Eagle project was removing a fence as part of the renovation for Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum in Sterling.

Soren McKay was a senior patrol leader and assistant troop chaplain for over two terms and is an excellent speaker. Soren earned forty-four merit badges of various skills, and has even eaten a snake on a wilderness survival campout.

Soren has assisted fellow scouts in merit badges as well as rank advancement. He also was instrumental in helping Troop 711 achieve the Journey to Excellence Gold award in scouting, a remarkably high honor.

Soren’s Eagle project included leading a group constructing storage shelves for the Kids Club of Northern Shenandoah Valley.