CLINTON — BSA Scout Zach Drozs recently was awarded his Eagle rank during a special ceremony at the Clinton Presbyterian Church, in Clinton.

The Eagle rank is given to those Scouts who have proven they can live by high ideals of both the Scout Oath and Scout Law, completed the many challenges presented to them and have completed a special service project. Only an estimated 4 percent of Scouts have gained this rank after a lengthy review process since it was established in 1911.

Every Eagle Scout takes on a major project as part of their quest. For Droz, he spent more than 140 hours from conception to completion of a major restoration at Weldon Springs. He had seen the many horseshoe pits at Weldon Springs fall into complete disrepair over the years and decided that he needed to do something about it. 

His leadership skills as a youth were tested when leading the project with members of the Clinton Presbyterian church, family, and other Scouts helping. He helped guide 15 people to complete his vision. 

Drozs described the process as an improvement over what had been there, using limestone with the 18 pits instead of cement so they could be more easily maintained. His team built the pits with the a longer-lasting concept in mind, such as switching the wood to pressure-treated wood. 

He has been involved in Scouting since first joining the Clinton Cub Scout Pack 142 as a Tiger (1st grade age) until he crossed over to the Boy Scouts when he entered sixth grade. Part of his role as he works on completing his final year in Scouting before he turns 18 is to help other Scouts learn. 

“He has always been driven to get his Eagle, ever since he was a Cub,” said Bobby Kreitler, current Clinton BSA Venturing Crew Adult Advisor and Drozs’ former Cubmaster and Den leader. 

Kreitler said he is proud of Drozs and the fact that he not only recruited other Scouts to help with his project but people outside of Scouting, fellow parishioner from the Presbyterian Church. 

For Drozs, now is a time to help other Scouts learn their paths better. 

“I am finally taking a breath of relief,” said Drozs. He credits his father, Chris Drozs, with his love of the outdoors and his desire to serve others. 

The Farmer City resident and Blue Ridge student adds to a list of other Boy Scouts who received their ranks during Court of Honors in 2019, joining Bailyn Richards, Terry Hendriex and Robert Pakidis from the Troop. Clinton’s BSA Troop 1142 is one of the leading Troops in terms of the high number of Scouts who have achieved the Eagle Rank, which is considered to be the highest achievement of youth in Scouting.