THOMASVILLE — Brookwood School students Simms Ladson ‘21, Zachary Lauderdale ‘22, Will Porter ‘22, Jay Sanders ‘22, and Jack Saussy ‘22 earned the designation of Eagle Scout this month, which is the highest achievable rank in the Boy Scouts of America program. To become an Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts must earn a certain number of badges and undergo a review process. 

In addition, the boys each had to complete a service project that they felt would contribute to their community. Ladson sought to create something that would serve his community and last a long time. He decided to make a patio off the vicarage at Good Shepherd Church in Thomasville, which includes a stone fireplace that also can be used as a grill. 

Lauderdale built fish bedding boxes for Cherokee Lake in Thomasville. The purpose of the boxes is to provide an artificial habitat for the fish in the lake to bed and breed. His project was completed in March 2018 and still provides an artificial habitat for the fish of Cherokee Lake. 

Porter gave back to the Cairo community by creating eight benches that were placed throughout the Grady County Recreation Department. The benches were made of powder-coated steel frames that were built and welded by students. 

Sanders made sound panels for the sanctuary at Thomasville Church. He was able to tackle this project through fundraising and help from Troop 306. 

Saussy chose to restore and clean an old bike trail at Westside Park in Thomasville. He cleared the trail of fallen logs, hanging limbs and debris, and resurfaced the log rides with mesh to improve tire grip for cyclists. 

Over the last five years, 34 Brookwood students have become Eagle Scouts, including the five new Scouts recognized this month and Emmett Miles ‘21 and Nathan Yokley ‘21 earlier this year.