Benjamin Buchmiller, 17, of Troop 147 has reached the Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank: Eagle Scout and will be honored at an Eagle Court of Honor Ceremony on Sept. 3 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

An Eagle Scout must earn all the lower ranks in Scouting, earn 21 merit badges, and complete a service project for his community. The national average for Scouts who become Eagles is only about 2 percent. Buchmiller is the fifteenth Eagle from Carpinteria’s Troop 147.

Buchmiller joined Cub Scouts nine years ago. He has earned the Arrow of Light, Faith in God, On My Honor, and is a member of the Order of the Arrow.

He has served in various positions in Troop 147, as a den leader for Pack 147, and at three Cub Scout Day Camps in Santa Barbara. He goes to scout meetings every Tuesday, camping trips on many of his weekends, backpacking, and Boy Scout Camps during the summer.

He attended Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico in the summer of 2004. The highlight of his scouting was being able to attend the 2005 National Scout Jamboree at A.P. Hill in Virginia.

Buchmiller’s service project was planning, designing and wiring a 100-watt halogen sensored light for the flagpole at the LDS church on Linden Avenue. If someone forgets to take down the flag, the light will automatically come on at dark to give the proper lighting for the flag.

He led the project, which included getting younger scouts to help string the wiring through small attic spaces. Finding time to obtain permits and approval was part of his challenge as he ran cross-country, played in the marching band, and competed in pole-vault and hurdles for the Track team at Carpinteria High School. While completing his Eagle project, he maintained a 4.0 GPA in school and served as an FFA (Future Farmers of America) officer.

Buchmiller is a senior at Carpinteria High School and is taking night classes at Santa Barbara City College.