More than a decade ago, seven youths started out as Cub Scouts at Edgerton School in Kalispell.

On Thursday night at the school, the seven young men became Eagle Scouts — the highest rank of advancement within the Boy Scouts of America.

The newest Eagles are 18-year-olds Sean Hartford, Mitch Byrnes, Hayden Jeschke, Kyle Direito, Brad Jones, Brandon Meadors and Nic Cramer. They are all seniors at Glacier High School.

These Scouts from Troop 1901 have progressed through six ranks and earned at least 21 merit badges each in areas such as first aid, citizenship, camping, communication, emergency preparedness, lifesaving and fitness, among others. 

At the Eagle Scout ceremony Thursday at Edgerton, the youths wore sashes chock-full of merit badges.

“What they’ve achieved in the course of getting merit badges is they’ve learned life skills, social skills [and] outdoor skills,” Troop 1901 Scoutmaster Randall Collins said. “They’ve had leadership experience and they’ve done projects for the community.”

They have also committed to countless volunteer hours over the years with nonprofits such as the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Additionally, each Scout developed and conducted service projects benefiting their community. Projects ranged from purchasing materials and building or installing benches, picnic tables, information boards, signs, flag poles, playground equipment, painting/staining buildings and doing landscaping. 

Byrnes’ service project consisted of installing swings at Hedges and Edgerton schools that are accessible to children with disabilities. He likened them to a porch swing that a child may be buckled into. Initially, he had contacted a physical therapist who advised him they needed swings for students with special needs. After completing the project, Byrnes later visited the school and pushed a student in the swing.

“It was great,” Byrnes said.

The group of seven waited until they each completed their projects to hold the Eagle Scout ceremony and celebrate together.

“We started as a Cub Scout troop when we were in first grade,” Byrnes said. “We’ve always been good friends.”

Hartford was the first to complete his project in December 2010 installing benches, trash receptacles, clearing ground and laying gravel along the Northwest Montana Rails to Trails path to Smith Lake. Hartford said he has wanted to achieve Eagle rank since joining Scouts.

“I’ve been striving to reach this ever since first grade,” Hartford said. “It was just a goal to reach for at that point in my life. I thought people who were Eagle Scouts were better people and it gives you a head start in job searches. It’s a credential that most people don’t have.”

For Cramer, Eagle Scouts represent a dedication and willingness to put in extra effort at scouting and serving the community. He agreed that it would set him apart because not every Scout makes it to the rank of Eagle Scout. 

Prior to earning the rank, a board of scout leaders interview candidates and may or may not award the rank based on accomplishments and leadership ability, for example.

Cramer’s service project consisted of erecting a flagpole with lighting at the Babe Ruth baseball fields in Kalispell. He also stained backstops and relocated the Babe Ruth sign. Usually a scout will lead his fellow scouts to help out with a service project.

“You try to include as many of your Scout members as you can in your troop,” Cramer said.

Cramer’s mother, Mary Jo, has been with the troop since she was their den leader in Cub Scouts and she has been involved with Boy Scouts of America since oldest son — now 24 — was in scouting. He also made Eagle Scout at 18. 

“These boys have gone all the way for 12 years, they’ve been in Scouts together, orchestra together, they go to church together,” Mary Jo Cramer said.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.