Pictured, from left, Harmon Kahl and Jack Garrison, in their early years of Scouting. Photo courtesy Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
Pictured, from left, Harmon Kahl and Jack Garrison on the day they received the rank of Eagle Scout with only a few weeks left in their Senior year of school. Photo courtesy Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
Once, there were two little boys who became friends in elementary school. Their parents enrolled them in Cub Scouts in first grade, as a way to make more friends and learn valuable life lessons. Almost 12 years have passed, and these little boys have now grown into young men who are in the last months of their Senior year at Batavia High School. Just a few weeks ago, they both earned the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout.
Meet Harmon Kahl and Jack Garrison, friends through thick and thin, and even stronger friends through Scouting. Once they bridged from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts, they set their eyes on their Eagle Scout projects.
According to the Dan Beard Council in Cincinnati, less than six percent of those enrolled in the Scouts BSA program reach the rank of Eagle Scout. This prominent and respected rank is obtained by the Scout deciding on a community project, obtaining the funding, and working within a budget and time frame to complete the project. Several famous people are Eagle Scouts including former President Gerald Ford, Astronaut Neil Armstrong, Hank Aaron, Bill Gates, and Michael Jordan. The list goes on and on and now includes the names Kahl and Garrison.
Kahl was affected by school shooting when he was younger.
“Growing up, I had a fear of active shooters,” said Kahl. So, he decided to help Batavia Schools prepare for a school shooting or other tragic emergencies by assembling SAFE Buckets that contained items such as bandages, Kleenex, a tourniquet, blankets, granola bars, water, flashlights, etc. In total, Kahl made 138 buckets for each classroom within the Batavia Schools, putting together 12 additional buckets for other areas of the school. He raised enough money to replenish additional supplies if they are used during an emergency or to replace expired supplies.
Garrison also felt a connection to his fellow students and decided to create spaces within Batavia Schools to relieve mental health burdens that can affect a student’s school career.
“I learned that one of the most common factors leading to self-harm is stress,” said Garrison in his appeal for donations through a GoFundMe page two years ago. To help alleviate stress, Garrison created “The Dawg Park.” Batavia’s mascot being a bulldog, The Dawg Park is a garden area on the Batavia school campus for students to enjoy nature while de-stressing. There are also outdoor games in another area of the campus for friends to connect and network with each other in a social, yet meaningful way.
“Harmon and Jack have learned to contribute to their community in many ways,” said Lisa Davis, commissioner for the East Fork District. “By looking at their own experiences in schools, they have helped their fellow students with a positive and meaningful approach.”
Kahl and Garrison were recognized at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor, planned by their parents at the Batavia Armory. There were over 100 people who attended to show their support for these two fine, upstanding citizens.
Next on their list? College, of course. After that, we hope to see them again soon, being leaders wherever their lives take them.
To learn more about how you can become involved in Scouts BSA, reach out to the Dan Beard Council at danbeard.org for information about the East Fork District that covers Clermont and Brown Counties.