Saturday was the culmination of 12 years of service for Max Kersey. He and fellow Boy Scout Trace Jackson held a joint Eagle Scout Court of Honor to celebrate earning the highest rank in Boy Scouts.

“It feels amazing,” Kersey said. “It feels like a thousand pounds is off my shoulder.”

The Court of Honor is the formal presentation of the Eagle Scout rank. It cannot be held until all Eagle Scout credentials have been received. Getting to this point has taken a lot of work. Requirements included earning 21 merit badges and completing a service project.

For the project, each painted a different hallway of Charles Henderson High School. “I wanted to do something for my school,” said Kersey.

To anyone who wants to become an Eagle Scout, Kersey recommended starting early. “Just stay motivated and don’t slow down,” he said.

His motivation came from his brother, Terry, who also earned the rank of Eagle Scout and friends like Jackson.

For Jackson, the service project was not the hard part. It was the paperwork that accompanied it. He and Kersey had to list each step they completed, the materials used and how the expenses would be covered.

“Filling out all the paperwork was very hard,” Jackson said. “And if you didn’t get it exactly right, they sent it back to you.”

Kersey said being an Eagle Scout offered many opportunities. He could go for additional awards, work to become a Scout leader or become an adventure Scout. “It just opens up so many opportunities you wouldn’t normally have.”

Jackson and Kersey said earning Eagle Scout would go on their resumes. “People respect it,” added Jackson.

Being involved in the Boy Scouts offered him new experiences, an opportunity to meet new people and a number of useful skills. “It helps you grow up,” he said.

Jackson’s main reason for earning Eagle Scout was a simple one. “When you start something, you finish it,” he said.