The Boy Scout motto is, "Be prepared," and the slogan is, "Do a good turn daily."

That is exactly what rising high school senior Jon Nick Gault has set his sights on doing. Gault recently became an Eagle Scout after months of hard work.

Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in Boy Scouts of America, and it has been in existence since its introduction in 1911. Prior to becoming an Eagle Scout, one must submit a project summary, a letter explaining how his project will benefit others and a list of materials with the expected cost.

Gault completed his project at Grace United Methodist Church. Another Eagle Scout — Mark Lynn — cleared an area near the church around 1993 to create a park. The area had not been used in nearly ten years, and Gault wanted to improve it.

"We got rid of an old picnic table, poured a 12’ x 16’ concrete slab, added two picnic tables and planted pencil hollies around it," Gault said.

The projects are meant to show scouts’ leadership skills and to encourage their involvement in the community. Scouts are also required to have participation from other scouts during completion of the projects. Gault had 10-15 scouts help him with his park project.

"The biggest help was my uncle — Mike Loudermilk. He worked construction for several years," said Gault. Loudermilk assisted with plotting out the size of the slab, pouring concrete, digging out forms, making the slab level and teaching all the scouts involved how to do it all. "He didn’t just help me," said Gault. "He taught all the scouts."

Gault was finished with his fundraising and actual project in November, but it took a few months for him to finish the post-project paperwork. He was required to submit before and after pictures, the hours he spent on the project, any changes of plans that occurred and a comparison of the expected price to the actual price. "This project taught me to set goals," said Gault, "and to be a leader, you really have to be motivated to finish."

Loudermilk also played bagpipes at Gault’s Eagle Scout ceremony, and Eric Childers sang. Since becoming an Eagle Scout, Gault has received letters from Governor Mark Sanford, Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer, a United States Naval Commander and a personal letter from US Senator Lindsey Graham. Gault also received a certificate from Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer, a certificate from the US Senate secured by Senator Jim Demint and a certificate from the South Carolina House of Representatives secured by House District 42 Representative Mike Anthony.

Jon Nick Gault is the son of Melodi and Freddie Gault. He started as a Cub Scout in 1st grade and became a Boy Scout in 5th grade. He has earned over 30 merit badges, and he is also a member of the Order of the Arrow—the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America that was created in 1915. New members of the Order of the Arrow are known as Ordeal members. After ten months, if an Ordeal member can demonstrate knowledge of traditions and obligations, he can become a Brotherhood member. Gault is a member of Skyuka Lodge, which includes Union, Spartanburg, Cherokee, Chester, Lancaster and York counties. Two weeks ago he was elected Skyuka Lodge treasurer.

In addition to Boy Scouts of America, Gault is also a member of the National Honor Society, Future Farmers of America, the International Thespian Society and Spanish Club. This summer he will go to Palmetto Boys State and Milliken Summer Leadership Institute.