Utmost Prestigious Rank
Many boys are or have been in Boy Scouts, but only four percent ever reach scouting’s highest rank: Eagle Scout. The requirements necessary to achieve this rank take years to fulfill, and Cameron Ligon has done that–and more.
Cameron, who just turned 16, began scouting in fifth grade as a Weblo, working his way up to the Arrow of Light award, the highest honor, and then moving on to boy scouts. Cameron’s father, Mark, a retired Charlotte fireman, said, “He’s the one that came to me wanting to join scouts. I told him if that’s what he really wanted, I would be behind him 100%”
This is not Cameron’s only honor. As he rose through the ranks, he received many other awards, including God and Country, World Conservation, and Order of the Arrow. While approximately 22 badges are required to reach the Eagle ranking, Cameron has merited 40. “He has set the path so much higher than I did at his age, and we are so proud of his accomplishments,” his dad said.
The process of becoming an Eagle Scout is lengthy; it took Cameron seven years to move through the ranks.The biggest task is to complete a community project, and his is now a permanent part of the Mint Hill Historic Village. He designed a pigpen to authentically represent those in days gone by. He submitted his proposal along with a mockup made of popscicle sticks, something his scout leader had never seen done before.
His project was approved and work began. His job was to supervise to show leadership skills rather than do the actual building. “The hardest part was telling people what to do rather than actually getting in there to work. I wanted so much to pick up a tool and get busy!” Cameron had shown leadership ability previously as the troop’s Patrol Leader and Quartermaster.
Cameron is a Junior at Independence High School and lives with his parents and younger sister. This is his third year in the Air Force ROTC at the high school, and his plans after high school are to join the Air Force and become an airplane mechanic.
An Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony was held for Cameron on October 8 at the Philadelphia Presbyterian Church in Mint Hill. Eagle Scouts Brian Anderson, Jim White, and Billy Hawkins were three of the speakers. Cameron was given his Eagle Scout Medal, then was presented the flag by Mayor Ted Biggers, who was also an Eagle Scout.
Cameron names his dad as his biggest mentor and motivator in the quest for this honor. “He always kept me moving and told me not to quit, no matter what I was working on. That motivation gave me the determination to succeed.”
