One hundred and nine years ago on Labor Day, September 2, 1912, the Boy Scouts of America awarded Arthur Eldred the first Eagle Scout Medal in BSA history. Unlike Eagle Scout candidates today, Eldred did not have a troop board of review, he had a national board of review on March 29, 1912. His panel members included the BSA National Headquarters Chief Scout Executive, James West; Daniel Carter Beard; Ernest Thompson Seton; and Scouting's founder, Lord Robert Baden-Powell, who journeyed to America via ship to attend the board. Given that he passed a national board from prestigious members of BSA HQs and the World Scouting Movement founder himself, one would think that he would have received his Eagle Medal right on the spot. Yet, this was not the case, as BSA had not finished the design and casting the first medal. Why you may ask? Well, BSA had just created the rank of Eagle in August of 1911 and Scout executives did not anticipate anyone could complete the requirements so quick. Arthur Eldred greatly exceeded their expectations and earned the medal before it was cast.
We have expectations of one another. What a pleasant surprise when we deal with someone who exceeds our expectations of performance and potential. I encourage you to follow Arthur Eldred's example and surprise people by exceeding their expectations. This could be jumping in and doing more than your share in your family or patrol, or it could be finishing a task well ahead of schedule. Whatever it is, I challenge you to do your best.
A Scout is Helpful.