Three new Eagle Scouts recognized in Johnson City
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Only 6% of Scouts BSA (Boy Scouts of America) members earn the Eagle Scout title, according to the Scouts America Great Rivers Council. That percentage is even lower for scouts with disabilities.
Scouts must earn at least 21 merit badges before earning the Eagle Scout title. Evan Brown, who has Down Syndrome, has met all the requirements without accommodations.
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'Less than 1% of all Eagle Scouts who have met those requirements have done so with a disability,' Brown's aunt, Amy Townsend, said. 'We never refer to him as having a disability, though. He's an amazing young man who has worked extremely hard to accomplish this honor.'
Townsend said Brown has even gone the extra mile to receive his title, earning more merit badges than needed. He is a member of the Order of the Arrow (OA) and Scouting's National Honor Society, where he has been recognized with Ordeal, Brotherhood, and Vigil honors.
Seth Black and Eli Henry were also ranked as Eagle Scouts.
Brown's scoutmaster, Larry Taylor, said he enjoyed celebrating his scouts' accomplishments.
'These these kids are really something,' he said. 'Because they came to me when they were 11 years old, and I have seen them to where they were down past my chest. Now I have to look up to two of them, and that is a big difference.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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