Crowning a 10-year career, a Tallapoosa Boy Scout will this week become the second Eagle Scout in his family.

At a Court of Honor on Sunday, Sept. 9, 18-year-old Cass Clark will receive the coveted Eagle award, the highest achievement in Scouting. The public is invited to the 2 p.m. ceremony at the Tallapoosa First United Methodist Church, chartered partner of Troop No. 123.

“One of the most important things Scouting has taught me is responsibility,” said Clark. “There is a time for work and a time for play.”

Clark became a Bear Cub Scout in Pack No. 443 of Dallas, Ga., at the age of 8 and moved to Tallapoosa, where he graduated to Boy Scout Troop No. 123. At the time, the troop was under the leadership of the late Scoutmaster Benny Vines.

“That was one of the saddest times when Mr. Vines, his wife, Shelia and my friend, Heath [age 13], passed way in a tragic accident,” said Clark. “But, it made me proud to honor my Scoutmaster and his family by being a pall bearer along with the other Scouts in the troop.

“I am the lone remaining Scout from the Coyote patrol who was in the troop under Mr. Vines. I plan to continue in Troop No. 123 as assistant to our current Scoutmaster, Mr. Herschel Kirkland. I want to give back to the community and the Scouts because they’ve done so much for me.”

Clark’s older brother, Ian Clark – employed by the Georgia State Patrol – earned his Eagle award in Troop No. 123 several years ago, according to his parents, Michael and Kay Clark of Tallapoosa.

Clark graduated from high school in June, having been home schooled since fifth grade. He works as a fry cook at Backwoods Steakhouse in Steadman. After he serves a 4-year stint in the Air Force Reserves, he plans to attend the University of West Georgia and become an audio engineer for a recording studio.

Clark’s Eagle project was leading fellow Scouts in cleaning up the outside of the Georgia Living Center retirement home on Head Avenue. A bench was installed, the grass was cut, the outside was cleaned up and plants were set out.

According to the Boy Scouts of America, only 1 to 2 scouts in every 100 reach the pinnacle of Eagle Scout. One famous Eagle Scout is the late Neil Armstrong, first man on the moon.

For more information about Scouts in general, you can check out their website: www.scouting.org. To join Boy Scout Troop or Cub Scout Pack No. 123 or the Girl Scouts, contact the Tallapoosa First United Methodist Church. Scouting is for children and youth through 12th grade.