Benson Named Eagle Scout

Grand Terrace High School (GTHS) Senior and seven-year member of the Grand Terrace Boy Scouts Troop 40, AJ Benson was recently named Eagle Scout. Benson has been recognized many times for his hard work and dedication not only throughout his academics and extracurricular activities, but also throughout his community. Being named Eagle Scout is quite an accomplishment; it is the highest rank to be attained within the Boy Scout program. It takes hard-work, dedication and constant Boy Scout law, service and leadership. As mentioned before, he has been involved in Grand Terrace's Boy Scout Troop 40 for over seven years now, and about eight years with the Riverside Life Streamers. One of the requirements to become an Eagle Scout is to do a service project that benefits the community. "Riverside Life Streamers always wanted to help me with my scouting," he mentioned. Therefore, Benson went right to them about his service project. There was a picnic cover and storage bin in need of a paint job at Hunter Park in Riverside. "I organized it, got it approved, got donations for it, bought materials, and organized time for when the troops could come out.. it took about 6 days," Benson shared. They had to scrape all the paint off, and repaint it. "It was a thirty-foot container and we painted the roof too," he said describing the storage bin. Other than this project, their are other requirements one must meet before submitting an application to become an Eagle Scout. Benson explained that one must have all merit badges required, as well. After putting in an application, composed of people from the district office of the Boy Scouts, will call him in to answer various questions. "They ask you questions to kind of see if you not only achieved being an Eagle but made sure that you lived as a scout," he explained. "I wouldn't say I was surprised that I got it, I knew I did everything.. but it was kind of a relief that I did make it," Benson shared. "Especially knowing that I fulfilled my goal after seven years." Achieving the highest rank in Boy Scouts, Benson shared that since he's no longer a youth member, he will continue to give back to the Troop and help other youth members. Aside from his great accomplishments throughout his community, Benson stays busy at school, as well. On top of his academics, he does the sound, lighting and technical part of most of the school events. Growing up in the Blue Mountain Community, Benson started his high school career at Colton High School and moved to Grand Terrace High School the year it opened, when he was a sophomore. Considering all of the incredible organizations Benson has been a part of, the GTHS staff couldn’t help but notice. His sophomore year at GTHS, he was named the very first Student of the Month ever, for two months in a row, at the brand new high school in 2012. The GTHS ASB Director Leilani Bautista, Principal Angela Dischinger and even Penny Radtke of the Grand Terrace Lions Club all added what a great contribution he is to anything he is a part of.