SCOUTING -- Even if you've never had the privilege of being a Boy Scout, let's all salute a young man who's risen beyond the lofty rank of Eagle Scout, which in itself requires years of steady goal setting and achievement, outdoors pursuits, academic and cultural curiosity and community involvement.

Going above and beyond that by the age of 17 boggles the mind in a very good way.   Here's the story of Jourdan Hale from the Vancouver Columbian.

By Emily Ostrowski

At age 12, Jourdan Hale achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. According to the Boy Scouts of America, only 7 percent of all Boy Scouts ever reach the Eagle Scout rank, and the average age for reaching that mark is 17. However, Hale is no average scout.

Now 17 and a senior at Mountain View High School, Hale has earned all 142 merit badges offered, in addition to 19 eagle palms. Because of his age when he reached the rank of Eagle Scout, Hale was eligible for a maximum of 20 eagle palms, which served as his initial motivation for earning every merit badge.

“After I earned my Eagle ranking just before my 13th birthday, I looked to my next goal, which was eagle palms,” Hale said. “I could earn 20, and that required 121 merit badges. The total number of merit badges wasn’t too far off at the time, so I just shot for earning all of them.”

In all of his years of scouting Hale has had many experiences, including becoming scuba-certified, learning to shoot a rifle with sharp-shooter accuracy, understanding environmental conservation, piloting a Cessna and even learning Morse code.

Hale also has served as membership vice chief for Order of the Arrow, which, according to Boy Scouts of America’s official website, “recognizes scouts who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives.” Recently, he was presented with his vigil feather, which nominates him for the highest level of membership in the Order of the Arrow organization.

In addition to his scouting endeavors, Hale is involved in his church’s youth program, is president of Mountain View High School’s choir and vice president of its Green Schools club, which works with a state group on creating more environmentally friendly schools. He also has performed in several of Mountain View’s musical and theatrical productions, and maintains a 4.0 GPA.

Hale has no plans of slowing down after graduation. He said he plans to spend two years away on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before returning and attending Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, with plans to become a certified public accountant.

“My hope would be to assist others to use their money in a wise and thoughtful manner in order to live a more comfortable life,” he said of the career choice.

Whatever Hale ends up doing, the influence of the scouts will stay with him.

“It’s hard to describe how scouting has changed my life because it has become a part of my very being,” Hale said. “I do my best every day to live by the oath and law. I do know that my moral character and leadership skills have been greatly strengthened.”