Local Eagle Scout Gavin Scott, 19, of Bowmanstown, was honored at the Lehigh Gap Nature Center on Saturday for attaining the rank of Eagle Scout within the Boy Scouts of America.

Joined by family, fellow Scouts, mentors and public officials, Scott was honored for attaining the rank and for his service to the Lehigh Gap Nature Center. Scott finished qualifications on July 2 of last year after building a bridge for the center. The ceremony on Saturday had been in the works since February."Gavin has always lived up to the Scout's law and always has. I'm very proud of his achievement," said Kara Scott, his mother. "He's always been involved in helping his community and others."The ceremony began with scouting pledges and the presentation of flags. Notable speakers include U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-17; state Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon; as well as Carbon County Commissioners Thomas J. Gerhard and Wayne Nothstein; Bowmanstown Mayor William Ravert; and Dan Kunkle, director of the Lehigh Gap Nature Center. Scott was presented with certificates of congressional recognition, a citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and a resolution from the Carbon County Board of Commissioners, among other accolades.Other speakers included representatives from the Minsi Trails Council, as well as Carlos Suman, an international Scout coming from Panama to the event.In addressing the attendees toward the conclusion of the ceremony, Scott thanked his family, fellow Scouts and Kunkle for all their help in helping him become an Eagle Scout."It teaches you so many things," Scott said of Scouting. "You get the tangible skills, of course, camping, knot tying and building a fire, but you also get the intangible skills, leadership, teamwork, preparation skills, responsibility."Scott is a graduate of Palmerton Area High School and currently attends the University of Virginia. He is pursuing a bachelor's degree in economics and Spanish. He will study abroad in Spain in the coming months before completing his degree."Once I'm settled down I definitely want to come back to scouting. Maybe not as a scoutmaster, but definitely a leadership position," said Scott.When asked about how others can help their communities, Scott encouraged others to go out and solve the problems they see."Go out to the nature center, to your local churches, to the library, anywhere in your community. Ask them how you can help. You can find a way to make an impact."