Eagle Scout Completes Project at Duluth Cemetery

Peachtree Ridge High School sophomore Laurence Bailey is an outstanding young man with aspirations and ambitions. At just the age of 15 – although since, he has turned 16 – Bailey became an Eagle Scout, the highest rank of achievement with the Boy Scouts of America.

Being an Eagle Scout is a great honor, and something most boys do not achieve until the age of 17. Bailey, who started his scouting career in the first grade, saw others who earned their Eagle Scout ranking earlier and some later. He decided he wanted to acquire it as soon as possible. "At a young age he has been very motivated," his mother Linda Bailey said.

In order to earn the honor, boys must be active scouts for six months after becoming a Life Scout, earn 21 merit badges that are acquired through numerous activities, prove a role of leadership, attend conferences and complete a service project to benefit their community. And in just a little over a year's time, Bailey completed his service project at the historic Duluth Church Cemetery.

The cemetery, located next to Duluth City Hall, now has  a landscaped clearing with two picnic tables and a bench thanks to Bailey and a group of volunteers who helped. "It was run down, had a lot of weeds and a lot of trash," Bailey said when asked why he chose this particular project.

Outside of the Boy Scouts of America, Bailey is also a bright and active student. He takes Advanced Placement history classes and participates in soccer, football, track and swim team. Bailey plays the guitar and cello. He also is an active youth member at First United Methodist Church in Duluth.

Bailey has ambitious goals for after high school. He wants to hopefully attend the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, and become a pilot. And he would like to pursue a veterinary career treating and caring for large animals. "He's a very determined young man," Mrs. Bailey said.

Bailey is a member of Boy Scout Troop 419 and will be visiting the Grand Canyon over spring break in April with fellow scouts. He plans to participate in the Sea Base Scuba Diving Trip through BSA High Adventure next summer.

There's a lot of time and effort that goes into becoming an Eagle Scout, according to Mrs. Bailey. "There are a lot of boys who don't have parents to back them," she said.  "They really have to have good support….I did not realize all the work it took."

Linda and her husband Lee are proud of their son. "We're real blessed to have such a good kid," she said.