By Mark Ercolano

Any time the Boy Scouts of America decides to promote a scout to their highest rank of Eagle Scout, it is a significant event — not only for the recipient, but also for the community.

On Saturday, July 9 at MacArthur Park in La Mesa, Brian Benjamin Cushman became the newest recipient of the Eagle Scout honor following the passing of his Eagle Scout Board of Review. In addition, because of his unyielding dedication and commitment to serving our community, Cushman was provided a Senate Certificate of Recognition from California State Senator Joel Anderson.

“It is young leaders like Brian who selflessly invest their time and efforts into our community that make it a great place to live,” Anderson said. “I am grateful Brian is so dedicated to sharing his expertise with us, and for his determination to make the world a better place in whatever way he can.”

Cushman spoke about how Boy Scouts has helped him sharpen his mental toughness. He recalled a lesson his scoutmaster taught him, which is to not complain; that complaining doesn’t solve anything, and one should only complain if they are offering a different solution to a problem at hand.

When asked what his favorite project that he has participated in has been, Cushman said that his most memorable accomplishment so far has been building trash can carts for the Living Coast Discovery Center to educate and promote good health.

Cushman, who is excited to serve as an Eagle Scout, declared what he believes makes an excellent Eagle Scout.

“The most important thing about being an Eagle Scout is being a leader not only to your community, but your state, your country, your church and everything you do,” he said.

— Mark Ercolano is a legislative intern for Senator Joel Anderson and a political science student at Grossmont College.