Eagle Scout is the Boy Scouts' highest individual achievement. It is a great personal accomplishment that requires self-discipline and self-confidence.

But no one is an island, not even an Eagle Scout.

Grayson Rotz, a 16-year-old sophomore at Manheim Township High School, recently earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Grayson is one of 60 active members of Troop 99, which is affiliated with Highland Presbyterian Church, 500 E. Roseville Road, Lancaster.

"You can't do it alone," said Grayson. "But you can't rely on others to do it for you. It's Boy Scouts. It's not Dad Scouts. You've got to be the one who wants it, while getting help from others. People will be there to help you."

After finishing his Eagle Scout project in April of 2023, Grayson officially received the prestigious award at a Troop 99 ceremony in October. But his journey to becoming an Eagle Scout - one marked by triumphs and uncertainty - took four and a half years to complete.

Grayson experienced a "lightbulb moment" while attending a Boy Scout summer camp when he was 12.

"I just fell in love with it," said Grayson. "I decided I was going to work myself to Eagle Scout right then and there. From age 12 to 16, Boy Scouts has been one of the biggest influences in my life. I do try to live by the laws of Scouting - be a good person, take care of yourself and help others. My attitude toward things has helped me become the person I am. And I made a bunch of fond memories."

After earning 26 merit badges in disciplines like first aid, map reading, finger printing, water rescue, citizenship, cooking and camping, personal management, family life, personal fitness and crime preparedness, Grayson planned his Eagle Scout project. The project involved building a gaga pit at Landis Woods Park. Gaga ball is a game that's sort of a cross between handball and dodgeball, played in an octagon-shaped pit.

"As Grayson has progressed over the last three or four years, he's grown in his leadership abilities and sense of self," said Eric Rotz, Grayson's dad. "He's very thorough in what he says. Grayson is very good in helping others."

Grayson was 7 years old when he began his Scouting career as a Cub Scout in Pack 93. He progressed from Scout to Tenderfoot, then Second Class, First Class, Star, Life and finally Eagle.

"You always want to strive to get to the next rank," said Grayson. "I knew I wanted to get my Eagle, but I wasn't sure what that entailed."

In addition to being versatile, Grayson is well rounded. He's worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor and a soccer referee; he's involved at his church, in the youth group and as a Sunday school teacher; and he also donates blood to the American Red Cross.

"A lot of my life is spent around younger kids, teaching and mentoring," said Grayson. "I have a couple ideas about what I want to do after high school. I want to be the manager at my pool someday, maybe when I'm around 19. I either want to go to Stevens trade school (Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology) or maybe go to college and pursue something in business or finance."