David Burris McLaurin of Scout Troop 420 was recently awarded his Eagle Scout badge.

The Jan. 6 ceremony was held at Laurinburg Presbyterian Church in Laurinburg. He was pinned by his parents, Allen and Jane McLaurin.

The Eagle Award is the highest and most coveted rank in Scouting and the last major step in the advancement program. Fewer than two percent of scouts in the United States reach the Eagle rank.

To become an Eagle Scout, a Scout must earn a minimum of 21 merit badges, 12 of which are required. Eagle Scouts must also demonstrate leadership by planning and executing a project to benefit the community.

David McLaurin began his trail to Eagle as a Cub Scout at Laurinburg Presbyterian Church. He bridged over into Boy Scout Troop 420, sponsored by the church, in September 2005 after completing Webelo Scouts and earning his Arrow of Light earlier that year. Though he was not an intrepid camper at first, he attended Boy Scout summer camp several times during his scouting years and was called to be a member of the Order of the Arrow during his time at Camp Raven Knob in 2008.

He currently serves as senior patrol leader for Troop 420, and has served as chaplain’s aide. He has earned 30 merit badges including small boat sailing, fish and wildlife, personal management, and computers. For his Eagle Scout project, David built roofs for the softball dugouts at Spring Hill Middle School with the help of other Troop 420 scouts.

David is a senior at the O’Neal School in Southern Pines. He is a member of the Laurinburg Presbyterian Church, the Laurinburg Presbyterian Church senior high youth group, National Honor Society, Key Club, and Model United Nations. After graduation, he hopes to study engineering at N.C. State University, UNC Charlotte, or Virginia Tech.