By Monica Dinh
Entertainment Editor

As a Boy Scout for the past seven years, and previously a Cub Scout for five years, senior Luke Hellyer is quickly approaching the achievement of an Eagle Scout ranking.

Eagle Scout, the highest attainable rank in the Boy Scout’s program of the Boy Scouts of America, is no easy feat to pursue. To achieve the rank of an Eagle Scout Hellyer first earned six other ranks including Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star and Life.

In addition a Scout must amass 21 different merit badges ranging in a variety of topics from sports to crafts and sciences to business. Throughout Hellyer attended meetings weekly and completed many community service hours yearly, while also holding a troop leadership position for six months.

Recently Hellyer completed his Eagle Scout Project. “Completing my project has definitely been my greatest achievement as a Boy Scout so far,” Hellyer said.

During Neshaminy’s last football game of the season against Pennsbury, Hellyer held and coordinated a food drive benefiting the Penndel Food Pantry. At last count the Scout raised 150 pounds of food and about $100 in donations.

“I feel surreal because I have worked so hard to get to this point. I haven’t fathomed how close I am until now,” Hellyer said about nearly earning the Eagle Scout ranking.

The Boy Scouts program has no doubt formed Hellyer into a charismatic, respectable young man. “As a Boy Scout one of the greatest things I learned is to always help others because it is the right thing to do,” Hellyer said.