Jonathan Schmit, Eagle Scout

Congratulations, Jonathan Schmit!

Achieving the rank of Eagle Scout is a tremendous accomplishment.

If you're not familiar with Scouting, you may not realize the incredible commitment and effort it takes to become an Eagle Scout.

Jonathan's story is inspiring.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

More than 70 people gathered last week at Dixon Elementary School to celebrate the promotion of Brookfield teenager Jonathan Schmit, who has Down syndrome, to the rank of Eagle Scout.

Jonathan, 16, began scouting with the Boy Scouts of America as a Cub Scout when he was 8. The troop was led by Jonathan's father, Brian Schmit, in the family's house.

"Lesson One was don't jump on the couch," Jonathan's mother, Michelle Schmit, said in a phone interview before the ceremony.

Jonathan said after the ceremony that it took him about a year to feel like he knew the other Scouts and was a part of the troop. When he began Scouting, he did not expect to continue long enough to become an Eagle Scout, the highest rank in Boy Scouts. It was a year later, when he discovered his grandfather's Eagle Scout pin in a drawer at home, that he was inspired to continue.

Jonathan's troop, which started as eight Cub Scouts, is now down to five Boy Scouts, including two of Jonathan's closest friends: Tyler Gray-Hoehn and Aaron Bauer, both 15. Gray-Hoehn and Bauer have known Jonathan since kindergarten, which the three attended at Dixon Elementary.

"Jonathan's always been motivated. He's a leader," Gray-Hoehn said.

Gray-Hoehn and Bauer described the community service project Jonathan organized as part of his promotion to Eagle Scout: elevated gardens outside Dixon Elementary so that students with disabilities who were unable to go to the school's rooftop greenhouse could still participate in class activities. Jonathan managed to get the help of about 20 people for his project, including Scouts who had stopped attending meetings years earlier, according to Gray-Hoehn.

Bob Agnew, Jonathan's grandfather, as well as Jonathan's father, the troop's current master, led much of Friday evening's ceremony. Among those in attendance were Jonathan's elementary, middle and high school teachers, as well as Jonathan's three younger siblings.

As I said, it's not easy to become an Eagle Scout.

That rank is reserved for the most committed and hard-working individuals.

Again, congratulations to Jonathan.

And congratulations to Jonathan's parents, family, and Scout leaders. Although Eagle Scout is an individual honor, it takes the support and assistance of committed, caring adults to get there.

Also, Jonathan's fellow Scouts and friends who helped on his service project deserve thanks.

It sounds like Jonathan is a great role model among a family of great role models.

Congratulations to all!