ALABASTER – Two Boy Scouts with Troop 548 were honored at an Alabaster City Council meeting on Monday, June 17, for earning the highest honor bestowed upon a scout – the Eagle Scout award.

Patrick Mann and Michael Byrd were each presented their Eagle Scout award by Mayor Marty Handlon at the meeting. One of the major objectives in the scouting program is to develop citizenship through community involvement, in addition to working for citizenship merit badges.

Eagle Scout awards are earned by those who demonstrate the scout spirit, earn 21 merit badges, including 13 from a required list, hold a position of responsibility for six months or more, plan and execute an Eagle Scout service project and participate in a Scoutmaster conference.

Mann’s Eagle Scout service project included planning, executing and completing an outdoor place of prayer and reflection for First United Methodist Church of Alabaster. He also earned 26 merit badges, one bronze Eagle Palm, the National Outdoor Award and completed the High Adventure Scout Camps at Philmont and the Summit.

Mann’s other notable service achievements include holding the office of patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader and senior patrol leader. Patrick is also a 2019 Thompson High School graduate who enjoyed extracurricular activities such as the Engineering Academy, the marching, symphonic and jazz bands, as well as his church youth group. His passion is repairing homes through the Jesus Works and Appalachia Service Project organizations.

Byrd’s service project included planning, executing and completing an outdoor aviary to benefit Creekview Elementary School. He also earned 27 merit badges and one bronze Eagle Palm.

Byrd’s other notable service achievements include holding the office of troop guide, assistant patrol leader, patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader and Junior Scoutmaster. He was also a part of the leadership team responsible for staffing the National Youth Leaders Training Courses, Woodbadge Courses, Cub Adventure Weekends, Cub Hunted Weekends, Webelos Residence Camp and the Shelby District Cub Scout Day Camp.

He was named senior patrol leader for the 2019 Summer Course at Camp Sequoyah, as well as completed High Adventure Scout Camps at the Philmont and the Summit.

The Eagle Scout distinction will follow Byrd and Mann throughout their lives, and will be a beacon to others of their leadership qualities and the commitment they have shown.