Mt. Laurel resident and Lenape High School senior Evan Bradley has spent the past 12 years performing numerous service projects.
On Sept. 19, community members honored him as he received the highest designation possible in Boy Scouting.
Bradley was officially named an Eagle Scout during his Court of Honor ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Marlton Fieldhouse. Bradley, along with fellow Troop №100 member Jake Lazarow, received the designation in front of family, friends and community members.
The achievement was the culmination of 12 years of Scouting for Bradley. He recalled joining the Cub Scouts while in first grade. He has been a part of Scouting ever since, progressing through Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts to reach the level of Eagle Scout.
“I like the camaraderie of being around an organization that’s centered on youth but is over to connect youth leadership with adult leadership,” Bradley said.
To receive the designation of Eagle Scout, Bradley had to complete a number of tasks. Eagle Scouts must progress through all of the Boy Scout rankings, earn 21 merit badges, serve in a leadership position within his troop, complete a service project and more.
For Bradley’s project, he worked with the Gift of Life Family House in Philadelphia, which provides a temporary home for families of transplant patients who receive treatment at different transplant centers around the region.
“I believe that it is very important to stand up for those people and embrace people going through hard instances like that,” Bradley said.
Bradley’s project had two parts. First, he helped collect food to donate to the house’s pantry.
“I collected multiple food items from my Scout troop and friends and family,” Bradley said. “I also did a local water drive in my community.”
After collecting donations, Bradley brought them to the house and helped re-organize the pantry.
For the second part, Bradley spent time cooking meals for the families at the house. He described the experience as rewarding and said it was his favorite project from all 12 years of Scouting.
All of the hard work Bradley put into his project made his Court of Honor ceremony even more special. Bradley was excited to see how many people turned out for the ceremony.
“It was incredible,” he said. “Multiple people from the community such as veterans of the Marines, Rotary Clubs and other organizations came.”
Bradley was also excited to share the moment with Lazarow, who completed a similar journey to Bradley. The two have become close through the Eagle Scout process.
“I’ve been in Troop №100 for the past four years,” Bradley said. “We’ve been good friends.”
Bradley said he will remain committed to service projects as he heads off to college next year. He is already planning to go on a service project to Nicaragua with his Scout troop leader Lew Lazarow through an organization called World Challenge.
Bradley is undecided on where he will attend college, but plans to major in film. Regardless of where life leads him, however, Bradley plans to continue performing acts of service for years to come.
“I’m extremely committed to service and doing it in my adult life,” he said.
