Very few Boy Scouts achieve the rank of Eagle, but it’s an even more rare feat when three best friends are able to do so in the span of a year.

According to the Boy Scouts of America, only 2 percent of all Boy Scouts are able to reach the organization’s highest rank before they reach the maximum age of 18. Best friends Michael Couch, Ben Rothschadl and Steven Sammon all accomplished the goal and all three completed Eagle Scout projects that helped beautify the grounds of their church — Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

To become an Eagle Scout, one must first move up through Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star and Life ranks, earning 21 merit badges along the way with such life lessons as first aid, citizenship, personal management and personal fitness. The Eagle Scout must also plan, develop and complete a project that helps the community in some way, adding to the dedication that is required to reach the Eagle rank.

Rothschadl said his drive and determination came from his parents, Patrick and Norma Rothschadl of Carrollton. However, the work was up to him and it began when he joined the Tiger Cubs in first grade. Even then, he recalls, it was his goal to become an Eagle Scout.

“My parents were always telling me to have goals, set the bar high and never give up,” Rothschadl said. “I remember the day we had crossover from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts and I was asked what my goal was and I said, ‘I want to become an Eagle.’ All of the kids said they wanted to become an Eagle, but I really meant it. So, when I got my Eagle it fulfilled my goal. It really meant a lot for me.”

Sammon said his parents, Tom and Christy Sammon of Carrollton, got him involved in scouting at a young age as well. However, it wasn’t until he became a Boy Scout that he began to focus on earning his Eagle Scout award.

“What drew me to scouting was all the outings and activities you’re able to do,” Sammon said. “It wasn’t until I got into Boy Scouts that I started thinking about getting my Eagle, but once I did I knew I could do it because I knew that I had time. A lot of people think there isn’t enough time to get there.”

Besides scouting, the church plays an important role in the boys’ lives so it was natural when time came to put together their Eagle projects that it would involve their church.

Rothschadl’s project began with what he said fellow parishioners at Our Lady of Perpetual Help described as an “eyesore,” a small area behind the church that held a dirt pile. The church paid to plant grass on the site and put in a trellis, but Rothschadl built a large gazebo, created flower beds, and planted trees and bushes. Parishioners have since added some of their own flowers.

“I’ve always been involved with my faith, so I just decided to take the two things that I love and put them both together to show my appreciation to both my church and scouting,” Rothschadl said.

Rothschadl’s project took about 30 hours to plan. Though he had planned for two days labor, a large group of supporters allowed the process to be complete in one 10-hour day using a total of 170 man hours.

“It was stress off my chest when I was done,” Rothschadl said. “The feeling was immense, like a burden was lifted to finally achieve what you set out to do. I sat down and I just took it all in for about five minutes.”

Sammon decided on an outdoor classroom because he said Sunday school classes often liked to go outside and he wanted to give them a place to go. The classroom is already being put to good use by groups at the church and Sammon used it for his Eagle Scout ceremony.

“The church has given so much to me and I wanted to give back a little bit,” he said. “I just wanted to give back to this place to make it better.”

Michael Couch, son of Dean and Ofelia Couch, was a member of Troop 901 in Carrollton, but he also decided his project would be one to help his church. He rebuilt the dock on the pond behind Our Lady of Perpetual Help for parishioners to enjoy.

Couch, a graduate of Villa Rica High School, joined the Navy and graduated Friday from Corpsman Medical School. He will be stationed with the Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Rothschadl’s future plans also involve the military. After graduating from Carrollton High, he will head to the University of Alabama on a 4-year Army ROTC scholarship. He plans to major in civil engineering.

“I look at the ROTC and the military as another opportunity like I had in the Boy Scouts,” Rothschadl said. “I’ll explore those opportunities to the best of my abilities, but I definitely see myself being successful in the military.”

Sammon, a senior at Central High School, has yet to decide what college he will attend.

Regardless of where their separate life paths take these friends, they said that scouting has helped lay a good foundation that has prepared them for the journey.

“The real question is what I haven’t gotten from scouting,” Rothschadl said. “The main thing scouting focuses on is building leaders for tomorrow. I’ve carried my leadership skills into school by trying to head up projects and being involved in my clubs. Scouting has definitely helped me in many ways in everyday life.”