When Penn Manor High School (PMHS) senior Donovan Edgell was a Cub Scout with Pack 146 of Conestoga, his grandfather Fred Frey took him to a Stauffers of Kissel Hill location to sell popcorn with other Cub Scouts. On that Saturday morning, Edgell asked a gentleman exiting the grocery store if he would like to buy some popcorn or make a donation to send popcorn overseas to the military. The gentleman, a veteran, explained that he didn't eat popcorn, but if Edgell made a promise, then he would make a military donation. The promise was to become an Eagle Scout. Edgell reached out, shook the veteran's hand, and said he would do it. Well, he did it.

On March 27, Edgell, a member of Troop 146, received the rank of Eagle Scout - the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America. Not only that, but he was also given an Eagle Palm, which he earned by getting five more merit badges than what was required to become an Eagle Scout.

"That promise played a very big part in me staying and finishing this and seeing it to the end," explained Edgell. "Everyone around me was supporting me and cheering me on to finish this and finish this strong."

At the ceremony where Edgell formally received his new rank, Edgell asked all of the attending Scouts to promise that they would continue Scouting and become Eagle Scouts, and they all agreed.

For Edgell's Eagle Scout project, he installed new signs for all of the different species of trees at Safe Harbor Arboretum. Edgell noted that as he grew up in the area, he visited the arboretum a lot and saw that the signs were deteriorating. He also built a kiosk that displays a map of the trees, the original list of trees, an updated list, and some history of the Safe Harbor Park.

"I'm very proud of him," commented Frey, an assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 146. "I couldn't be prouder. It's a big accomplishment." Frey emphasized that becoming an Eagle Scout takes a lot of effort, work, and dedication.

Edgell currently attends Lancaster County Career and Technology Center for metal fabrication and has an internship in Wrightsville where he welds and fabricates. After graduating from PMHS, he plans to pursue this work as a career.

For those who want to become an Eagle Scout, Edgell has some advice. "No matter how far away and how difficult it seems, because there will be points that you want to give up, don't," he said. "You have all of the leaders and your troop to help you. It's worth it in the end. Just stick it out."