Alex Brawn
Eagle Scout 

Alexander Francis Brawn was awarded the Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank, Eagle Scout, during a Court of Honor on August 24, 2008 at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh, NC.   Alex, the 15 year old son of Thomas and Christine Brawn of Apex, is a member of Troop 216 in Cary.  He officially earned the rank of Eagle Scout on June 11, 2008.   

Alex is Troop 216’s 61st Eagle Scout since its founding in 1978.  Troop 216 is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus at Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. 

Among the 75 people who attended the Court of Honor were Alex’s paternal grandparents Lynn and Sharon Brawn of Endicott, NY, his uncle Scott Theal and cousin Emily Theal, both of Bath, NY.   Mr. Theal, a 1978 Eagle Scout from Cheektowaga, NY, is credited with being an inspiration and providing encouragement to Alex as he climbed the trail to Eagle.   Cardinal Gibbons faculty members Hall Sargent, percussion teacher, and Mark DeLaRosa, theology teacher, were also in attendance.  The Furtick family, the Helm Family, the Britto family, Chip Davis and Alison Martin are special friends who joined scouts from Troop 216 in celebrating Alex’s achievement.  Kevin Mulder, Troop 216 Eagle Scout, was the Master of Ceremonies.  

Fellow Eagle Scouts Chris Becker, Michael Becker, Brian De Contreras, and Gary Meyer opened the ceremony by presenting the colors after which scout Joe Lally delivered the invocation.  John Majikes, family friend and former Troop 216 Assistant Scoutmaster, explained the significance of the Eagle rank to the guests. Scoutmaster Bob De Contreras presented Alex with the Eagle badge and Assistant Scoutmaster John Hibbard presented Alex with the Eagle certificate and neckerchief.  A flag, certificate and flag pin were given to Alex by Charles Fossett and Bob Wallace of the Cary Apex Elks Lodge Number 2798.  Charter Organization Representative, Todd Ellis, also took part in the ceremony by presenting Alex with an engraved pen as well as the Pope Pius XII Religious Emblem Alex had earned earlier this summer.  Alex’s father presented Alex with a flag that senator Elizabeth Dole had flown over our nation’s capitol building on the day Alex received his Eagle rank.  Scout Joe Lally concluded the Court of Honor with the benediction.   A scrapbook on display at the Court of Honor contained letters of commendation and proclamations from President and Mrs. Bush, Governor Mike Easley, Apex Mayor Keith H. Weatherly and former Astronaut and Senator John Glenn. 

Alex began his scouting career in 1998 as a Tiger Cub with Pack 316 at St. Andrew’s Church in Apex, where he subsequently earned all of the Cub Scout ranks as well as 17 belt loops, 11 pins and the World Conservation Award.  In January 2003, Alex received Cub Scouting’s highest award, the Arrow of Light, and in March 2003, bridged to Troop 216. 

The BSA program heavily emphasizes leadership skills, and throughout his career with Troop 216, Alex has lived up to this standard.  He has held the leadership positions of Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader, Troop Guide, and Den Chief.   

Alex has also earned numerous awards and honors during his scouting career.  Alex was inducted into the Order of the Arrow, a scouting honor organization, in May 2006 and today serves Troop 216 as an Order of the Arrow representative. For the past four summers, Alex has attended Raven Knob Scout Camp where he earned his BSA Snorkeling patch in 2006 and Mountain Man patch in 2008.  Ski trips to Winterplace, WV, the Vertical Edge lock-ins, and many of the campouts are the highlight of Alex’s scouting career.  Alex has completed 37 merit badges and continues to earn more.   In order to reach the rank of Eagle Scout, at least 21 merit badges must be earned, 12 of which are specifically required for the rank.  “If you can stick with it, it feels great to get your Eagle,” says Alex.  

As required by the Boy Scouts of America, a candidate for Eagle Scout must plan, develop, and lead others while providing a service to the community.  With guidance from his Eagle project advisor, John Hibbard, Alex planned, designed and supervised the building and installation of eight bat houses at the Apex Community Park and the Apex Community Center in Apex, NC.  Encouraging bat nesting will help control the insect population in this park and help protect all the people that use the park on a daily basis.  Special thanks are given to Josh Enoch and Matt Whitman of the Town of Apex Parks and Recreation Department for all of their assistance in this project as well as to more than 15 adults and scouts from Troop 216. 

Alex is an eleventh grade student at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh, NC where he is involved in the Drumline, Science Olympiad, and the Strategy Club.  In reflecting on his decade in scouts, Alex has learned that it is better to serve than be served, though having a little fun along the way is alright, too.