Ben Johnson - Sisters Eagle Scout

In the field of Scouting, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout is the premium achievement.

Ben Johnson, a junior at Sisters High School, is a member of Boy Scout Troop 188 in Sisters, and he's going for the rank of Eagle Scout. He has earned 26 merit badges, including all of the mandatory merit badges to earn the rank.

His Eagle Scout project accomplished the rehabilitation of an outdoor chimpanzee enclosure at the chimpanzee sanctuary, Chimps Inc., located in Tumalo.

Johnson also had to demonstrate leadership of others while performing a project for the benefit of any religious institution, school, or his community.

This is Ben's description of why he wanted to work toward his Eagle Scout award: "My ambitions and life purpose are to graduate high school with an honors diploma. Then I want to go on to college and major in engineering. I am interested in mechanical, environmental, aeronautical, and computer engineering. After college I want to get a good job and have a family. I want to help make the world a better place by creating new innovations and working with others to create new technology for a brighter future."

Ben went looking for a project that he'd feel good about, and decided he wanted to make life more pleasant for the primates living at Chimps Inc. His Eagle Project entailed fixing and repairing the supports and platforms for a chimpanzee outdoor sanctuary. He added supports to the platforms and made them sturdier for the chimps to walk on, and he added mulch to the bottom of the cages so the chimps have a nicer area to walk and play on.

Outside of scouting, Johnson has been:

• Secretary/treasurer for the junior class;

• Co-captain of the math team;

• Member of the Sisters Trails Alliance;

• Member of the Future Business Leaders of America Program;

• Co-chair of a community project to build two sand volleyball courts.

And he has achieved honors for excellence in global studies during his sophomore year.

Members of the public are invited to come to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Saturday, May 10, at 6:30 p.m. to help Johnson celebrate the achievement of becoming an Eagle Scout.