ARLINGTON — Kevin Emery was officially inducted into the ranks of the Boy Scouts of America’s Eagle Scouts on Saturday, May 11, as fellow members of Boy Scouts Troop 92 in Arlington celebrated his achievements.

Troop 92 Scoutmaster Darin Janda cited Emery’s demonstrated leadership ability and survival skills as evidence of his worthiness for the rank of Eagle Scout, joking, “I could drop him off in the wilderness with only a pocketknife, and come back one month later to find he’d built the Swiss Family Robinson’s home.” Janda also noted Emery’s sense of humor, warning, “If you prank him, he will prank you back with interest.”

Since starting as a Tiger Cub in first grade, Emery has had three scoutmasters in Troop 92, including Janda, and he thanked them all for contributing to his education and development as a Scout. Emery likewise credited his family — including his parents Edward and Terri, as well as his older brother Kyle, who had previously achieved the Eagle Scout rank himself — with motivating him to accomplish his goals.

“I got involved with the Scouts because of Kyle, and I stayed in because I wanted to make Eagle like he did,” Emery said. “It’s made me a stronger person.”

“He’s gained self-confidence through the Scouts,” Edward Emery said of his son Kevin.

For his Eagle Scout project, Kevin Emery chose to plan out and supervise the building of five large wooden benches for Pioneer Elementary students to use in their wetland study area. Rene White, owner of Arlington Transmission and Kevin’s first scoutmaster, donated the lumber.

“It took about three full weekends last fall to install the benches, but it took months to get it approved,” Kevin Emery said.

“I’m proud of him, not just for the benches, but also for helping other Scouts on their way to the Eagle rank,” Edward Emery said. “Kevin has always helped out the younger guys. He’s a good mentor.”

Emery also received a certificate from Arlington American Legion Post 76, which supports Troop 92, recognizing the Eagle Scout’s good deeds.