On the Scouting Trail: Brett Bell earns Eagle Scout ranking

Brett Bell, a member of Boy Scout Troop 509, has earned the rank of Eagle Scout and was among others achieving the same rank to be feted in a recent Court of Honor. The event was held in late October in von Karman Auditorium at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which sponsors Troop 509.

Bell, 15, joined JPL Troop 509 in 2011. He chose Troop 509 because his father, Darren Bell, and two uncles earned their Eagle rank there. The younger Bell served in several leadership positions in the troop including assistant patrol leader, patrol leader, troop guide and troop instructor.

In July, he and his 20 volunteer helpers beautified an outdoor area behind some classrooms at Palm Crest Elementary School as his Eagle Scout project. The work, which took two days, included cleanup and preparation of the site, spreading sand across it and then installing several hundred paving stones.

Bell organized and led the crew, including fellow Scouts, swim teammates, school friends and family (including grandparents). His Eagle Project received special recognition from the La Cañada Unified School District Governing Board where he was awarded a proclamation.

Bell is a sophomore at Flintridge Preparatory School, where he is a varsity athlete in swimming and enjoys his science and math studies.