Monday, September 16, 2024
AZLE — Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in Scouts BSA and only 6% of Scouts have been recognized with this honor since the program’s inception. Azle High School senior William Kisner, 17, joined the highest echelons of scouting in an Aug. 19 honors ceremony.
“I'm extremely proud of him,” father and troop leader Tom Kisner said. “If anybody thinks it's been easier for him than other Scouts, it's the opposite. I'm probably harder on him than I am any of the other Scouts.”
Kisner started as a Tiger Cub Scout in 2013 and became a Boy Scout in 2018. He earned 36 merit badges total, 15 more than the required 21 for Eagle Scout. He was also elected to the Order of the Arrow, a BSA honor society, and completed the ordeal in July 2020. Kisner has camped 90 nights and has done 131 hours of community service, his father said.
Along with earning at least 21 merit badges, Eagle Scouts must demonstrate “Scout Spirit,” an ideal attitude based upon the Scout Oath and Law, service and leadership. This includes an extensive service project that the Scout plans, organizes, leads and manages. Kisner’s Eagle Project was enhancing the nature trail behind Azle High School. The nature trail itself was a previous Eagle Scout project by Keaton Schlueter in 2011. Kisner added a pavestone walkway, a shelter and three disk golf goals so the area can be used by the AHS Outdoor Adventures Class.
After the ceremony, Azle Independent School District Superintendent Todd Smith and Azle Mayor Alan Brundrett met with Kisner to congratulate him. The mayor also presented Kisner with a proclamation declaring Aug. 19, William Kisner Day in the City of Azle.
At the ceremony, Benjamin Spence, Jude Shew and Alex Maqueda were also recognized as First Class Rank, Star Scout Rank and Star Scout Rank, respectively.
