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Jayden Woodson is showing what servant leadership truly looks like. Living with sickle cell anemia himself, Jayden chose to turn his personal experience into an act of compassion and support for other families facing the same challenge. As part of his Eagle Scout service project, he created comfort kits for parents whose children are receiving treatment for sickle cell disease at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.

Here’s another powerful reminder of how Scouting prepares young people to lead and serve when it matters most. Life Scout Mady Wilsing of Scouts BSA Troop 114 in Ivy, Virginia, was recently honored for her heroic actions after saving the life of a 3-year-old child at a local pool. Drawing on her training and staying calm under pressure, Mady immediately dove into the water, rescued the unresponsive child, and began lifesaving care until paramedics arrived.

The Chicopee City Council recently recognized Eagle Scout Bryce Holmes of Hadley, Massachusetts Troop 303 for his resilience, service, and dedication to Scouting. A lifelong Chicopee resident and member of the Western Massachusetts Council, Holmes remained active in Scouting and school while undergoing three years of chemotherapy for inoperable brain cancer.

In Berks County, Pennsylvania, Gavin Wanner saw an opportunity to make a difference at Blue Marsh Lake, a popular recreation area visited by thousands each year. As he worked toward the rank of Eagle Scout, he proposed as his service project rebuilding the park’s aging accessible fishing pier at the Stilling Basin, a well-known fishing spot for bass, catfish, and walleye.

Nicole Ross is graduating from Texas A&M with a degree in Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management, and a track record that’s hard to ignore: Eagle Scout, Corps of Cadets Battalion Commander, drone pilot, USDA NextGen Fellow, and endurance athlete. In South Dakota, she helped restore aquatic habitats by planting thousands of trees, studying stream health, and leading her own research. On campus, she’s led more than 200 cadets, building a leadership style rooted in presence, listening, and showing up.

At 20 years old, Luke Williams has achieved Scouting America’s Triple Crown of Advancement, one of the organization’s highest distinctions. Each award represents a significant commitment to leadership, service, and skill development. Earning all three is exceptionally rare, with only a small number of scouts nationwide reaching this milestone.

Alum Paul Loomis was recently recognized as a “Pillar of the Community” by the Scouting America Twin Buttes District, part of the Grand Teton Council based in Idaho. The award was presented during a ceremony at the American Legion Stewart Hoover Post 23. It traditionally recognizes dedicated Scouting leaders, but this year organizers chose to spotlight Loomis for his leadership beyond the program.

Congratulations to Yvette Maskrey on being elected Board President of Scouting America’s Aloha Council, becoming the first woman to serve in this role in the council’s history. This is a meaningful milestone and a reflection of her leadership and commitment to Scouting.

Earning the rank of Eagle Scout requires leading a service project. Often, the project the Scout selects comes from a deeply personal place and reflects what matters most to them. For Logan Luparell, that inspiration came from a dog named Butch. Butch, a beloved service dog at Illinois Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley Elementary, spent years providing comfort, calm, and connection to students. His presence made a lasting impact on so many young lives.

Last year, I asked my friend Stephen Deatherage to launch a series called “The Merit Badge That Changed My Life.” Stephen is an exceptional storyteller, and the response to his first four pieces has been incredible. It’s a powerful reminder of how lasting the impact of a single merit badge experience can be, and there’s more great content on the way. Serving as a merit badge counselor is one of the most meaningful ways for Scouting alums to give back. When you share something you genuinely enjoy, whether it’s a hobby, a skill, or your profession, you create an experience that stays with a young person long after the badge is earned.

Camp Marin-Sierra celebrated its 75th anniversary with a staff alumni reunion, bringing together former and current leaders at the 320-acre camp in Emigrant Gap. Founded in 1950, the camp serves hundreds of Scouts each summer. Programs include archery, rifle shooting, nature hikes, and canoeing on Chubb Lake, with a focus on skill-building, leadership, and personal development. Alumni from multiple decades attended, including campers and staff dating back to the 1950s. Many shared how their time at camp contributed to lifelong skills and leadership experience. Current staff noted the value of connecting with alumni and seeing the camp’s history firsthand.

Congratulations to Secaucus, New Jersey teen Jayden Altamura on earning the Congressional Award Gold Medal, the highest honor for youth presented by the U.S. Congress. A Scouting America alum, Jayden has built an impressive record of leadership, service, and achievement. He is a former co-captain of the Secaucus High School swim team and an active member and former president of Secaucus Cares, the student-led Student in Action club that supports the Hygiene Project.