Barber awarded Eagle Scout rank

At a recent Eagle Court of Honor, Brenton Barber, a Creston Community High School senior, was formally presented with the Eagle Scout Award – the highest award for boys in the Scouting program. Barber, Creston’s 102nd Eagle Scout, is the son of Chris Barber and Charlotte Fletcher.

Barber, who is a member of Troop No. 129 of the Trailblazing District, earned the designation in December, however, he was not formally presented the award until a pinning ceremony March 10.

Barber began his scouting career as a Tiger cub before joining Boy Scouts in 2012. Since then, he has provided more than 100 hours of community service. As a student at CCHS, Barber participates in bowling, band and drama, and works at Little Caesars in Creston.

“Brenton has always been one of those, if he has a job to do, he’ll do it. He’ll get it done. He’s not going to create a fuss or any problems. He’s just kind of a no-nonsense type of guy,” said Paul Fuller, scout master.

During the pinning ceremony, Brenton chose Neal McElwain to give his mentor pin to, because he feels McElwain has provided the most guidance throughout his scouting career.

“I, along with any other scout we have in our troop, think, if there’s something you need help with, and a scout could not help you with it, Neal was almost the first person you could go to for anything,” said Barber.

Barber said it was McElwain’s guidance who helped him through some of his most arduous projects.

To earn the rank of Eagle Scout, Barber had to be active in his troop, provide leadership to others, earn a minimum of 21 merit badges in areas of citizenship, camping, communications, cooking and lifesaving or emergency preparedness and demonstrate that he lives by the principles of the Scout Oath and the Scout Law.

For one of his merit badges, Barber planned, developed and provided leadership to other scouts who helped him with a service project – a food pantry and free library – benefiting the community, which can be accessed on the south side of Creston First United Methodist Church.

“The church calls it ‘The Little Pantry,’” said Barber. “It almost looks like a little bus stop looking structure that has both non-perishable food items and books in it. What we built it for was so people could go get what they need when they need it, and not just at certain times of the week as to supplement what they are already getting.”

Barber said he’s been impressed with the involvement of the community at-large.

“Just a couple of days ago, we drove by it and it was almost completely empty. Then Sunday, shortly before the Eagle Scout ceremony, one of our troop members drove by it and it was almost completely full. So, people have been contributing to it and its been a wonderful addition to our community,” said Barber.

Barber said to be a lifelong scout has been a big accomplishment for himself.

“”My father, himself, was a scout, and a lot of other authority figures I’ve had throughout my live have been scouts, like my band director (Michael Peters). Some of my teachers have been scouts, so just to do something amazing that they have done is very, very unbelievable. It’s been a roller coaster and a journey and a half.”

When asked what advice he has for young scouts, Barber reflected on the stress of submitting all of the documentation for the Eagle Scout designation on August 7, three days before his 18Th birthday – the deadline.

“Don’t procrastinate,” he said.