Solon Scouts soar to Eagle rank

SOLON — As the color guard entered the Timber Dome Lodge, six members of the Solon BSA troop 120 followed, grinning as they knew it was finally time for them to receive their highly-coveted Eagle Award.

“It is a big deal to earn the rank of Eagle scout,” said Lynn Rose, an assistant scout master and parent. “Approximately five percent of all scouts earn the Eagle rank. For our troop to have six scouts earn the rank over a course of a few months is a big achievement.”

At the Eagle Court of Honor event Sunday June 29 (the ceremony in which scouts are officially minted to Eagles) scouts Jamie Calef, Ian Cronk, Jaxon Davis, Elliot Hamm, Spencer Michels, and Owen Young were recognized for their achievement.

The ceremonial process involves scout practices that are revered as extremely important. After the Eagles enter and are introduced, they are provided pins for both a parent and a mentor that helped them along their journey to becoming an Eagle, in which said Eagle will place on them.

“It’s just great to be here to see them get this award,” said Scott Hamm, parent and scout participant.

The festivities continued, culminating in a presentation of the Eagle Award and concluding with speeches from those closely connected with troop 120 as well as an oath from the six new Eagles.

The ceremony of Eagle Court of Honor not only highlighted how prestigious this opportunity is in the world of scouts for the new Eagles, but also for the family and friends connected to them, showcasing them as scouts and their individual impact on the community through their leadership and the qualities of excellence they vow to revere.

“It’s special…you get to know a lot of people and you get to try a lot of new things,” said Owen Young. “It’s just an experience largely based on the people around you.”

The Eagle Scouts’ impact and journey

Jamie Calef, a recent graduate from Solon High School, achieved the Eagle rank after completing the Eagle Board of Review in June of 2025.

As a member of the Order of Arrow – Scouting America’s honor society- and a completion of NYLT – a six-day leadership training course – Calef used Eagle Scout qualities within the community, preparing and executing a project in which he repaired, painted, and refurbished picnic tables at Lake Macbride State Park.

Calef plans to attend the University of Iowa in the fall with the goal of becoming an attorney.

Ian Cronk completed his Board of review in September of 2024. He fulfilled the duties of NYLT and is a member of the Order of the Arrow.

Cronk’s Eagle Project was constructing fishing habitats and placing them around the wheelchair accessible fishing pier at Macbride, helping to provide attainable fishing experiences for all visitors.

Cronk continues his high school career as a sophomore, participating in football, track, and baseball.

Jaxon Davis was a counselor-in-training as well as attending both NAYLE – National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience- and NYLT.

Davis has worked at the Howard H. Cherry Scout Camp (near Central City) as an instructor for the past three summers and has held the role of Senior Patrol Leader and NYLT troop guide. His Eagle project was building bird feeder holders and benches for the Veteran’s trail next to the Coralville Dam.

Davis enters his senior year of high school as a member of the football team as well as Order of the Arrow.

Elliot Hamm earned his Eagle rank in November of 2024. Hamm participated in National Jamboree – a nationwide scout gathering- NYLT, and Order of the Arrow as well.

To provide service to the community, Hamm led a conservation effort at Lake Macbride State Park to clear tree damage left by the 2020 Derecho along the Osprey Trail.

Hamm is going into his sophomore year at Solon High School as a swimmer, trumpet player, and tech crew member for school plays

Spencer Michels is a member of the Order of the Arrow as well as completing NYLT and the National Jamboree, using his constructed hashtag of #DontTouchMyTrailer as a Quartermaster

Michels built a picnic table and cleaned said area of Lake Macbride State Park.

As an upcoming senior, Michels is involved in Cross Country, Track and Jazz percussionist. Michels plans on attending Des Moines Area Community College through Electric Utility Technology.

Owen Young completed his Board of Review this June. He was a part of NYLT and is admired as an active leader within his troop.

Young’s Eagle project involved replacing previously dead trees along the Legion Baseball Field, providing environmental conservationism to the Solon community.

Young enters his senior as a member of band, cross country, archery, and track.