Notre Dame senior Alex Austin is about to be in very rare company. He will soon be an Eagle Scout, joining a prestigious and exclusive organization alongside only 6% of all Boy Scouts of America.

To become an Eagle Scout, Alex must complete an extensive and strenuous local community project, among other various requirements.

“My project was to perform extensive improvements and renovations to the Notre Dame Holy Family Grotto,” Alex said. 

Each Eagle Scout’s project is specific to that individual scout; he can choose any way he wants to better his community. Alex’s first thought was to help his school and give back to it what it has given to him.

“The fact that only 6% of Boy Scouts make Eagle is somewhat disheartening, though what you take from the experience really changes your outlook on leadership. You’re using this leadership and putting it into real world practice and using it to benefit others, which is the true purpose of an Eagle Scout. It’s really the least I could do since Notre Dame has given me so much,” Alex said.

Alex’s appreciation doesn’t just stop at his school, though. He is equally proud and excited to be a Boy Scout, and more specifically, an Eagle Scout.

 “To put it simply, it’s an honor,” he said.