Gilpin teen achieves goal of becoming Eagle Scout
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Tucker Spiering of Gilpin set his eye from a young age on the ultimate prize in Scouting.
He earned his Eagle Scout rank on Sept. 1, 2020.
“I always believed he would eventually earn his Eagle rank,” said mom Jaime Spiering. “He set this goal pretty young and was very motivated to work for each rank to advance himself closer.”
According to data from Boy Scouts of America, only about 4% of Scouts nationally earn the organization’s highest rank of Eagle Scout.
Spiering, 17, is a member of Troop 553 and a senior at Leechburg Area High School.
His Eagle Scout project involved replacing a well-worn community outdoor sign on the grounds of the Gilpin Township Municipal Building.
Gilpin Township Supervisor Charlie Stull said the previous municipal building sign was in a “very dilapidated state.”
“Tucker did a great job with a huge upgrade to our sign. It’s been well received by all,” Stull said.
Spiering’s sign renovations included adding a shingled roof, adding night lighting, double-sided signage and landscape updates.
“Ever since I started Cub Scouts I wanted to be an Eagle Scout, so being able to achieve this feels amazing,” he said.
The son of Mark and Jamie Spiering of Gilpin, Spiering’s non-Scouting accomplishments include several lead performances in school musicals, singing, hunting and spending time with his friends and family.
Eagle Scout requirements include demonstrating Scout leadership and spirit, planning and completing an extensive service project and earning a minimum of 21 merit badges.
Spiering’s uniform sash displays more than 40 earned merit badges.
Leechburg high school musical director Alyssa Bruno Walls said she’s impressed with Spiering’s work ethic.
Walls has directed Spiering in several productions, including Disney’s “Tarzan.”
“He is a true leader, always ready to jump in and lend a hand with whatever task needs to be accomplished,” Walls said.
After participating in Scouting for 11 years, Spiering said attaining Eagle Scout rank is bittersweet.
“It has become a part of my family, so to actually have it finished feels kind of surreal,” he said. “I’m so happy that I could be given this honor.”
His plans include studying media arts at Clarion University.