Xavier Pantoja completed the requirements for Eagle Scout after an active involvement with the Chief Cornplanter Council for the past seven years.

Xavier Pantoja recently became Warren County’s newest Eagle Scout.

Pantoja is a member of the Chief Cornplanter Council, Boy Scouts of America, the oldest continually-registered non-merged council in America. The office is located in Warren and the council serves youth in Warren County and Ludlow, Pa.

The Trail to Eagle Scout is the journey from Life Scout to Eagle Scout, requiring merit badges, leadership, a service project, and successful completion of the Eagle application and Board of Review. Pantoja, a member of Troop 13, finished his Trail to Eagle in February. Active in scouting for the last seven years, Pantoja is a Warren Area High School graduate class of 2026.

Roughly only about one in 172 scouts earn the rank of Eagle Scout. Pantoja said he is thankful for the positive influence from his scoutmaster Alex Watkins for the past six years.

The community service project is an important part of the Eagle Scout achievement, and must be of significant value to the community outside of Scouting. It takes a considerable amount of time to plan and execute. The scout must provide leadership to others during the project. Pantoja led a project in the Wetmore Cemetery located in North Warren by gathering materials and donations and involving his troop to assist with building benches and laying the concrete and flags in dedication to veterans.

Scoutmaster conference is the next step upon completion of six months as a leader and the service project. An application with letters of recommendation is required before going to the Eagle Board of Review, a celebration of the completion of the long, challenging, and successful journey toward Eagle.

Pantoja had a busy year as he attended the National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC), a multi-day event where Order of the Arrow delegates from all lodges gather for training and activities. He also got to participate in the Scouting America National Jamboree, which is a gathering of thousands of members of the Boy Scouts of America, usually held every four years and organized by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Scouts from all over the nation and world have the opportunity to attend. It is considered to be one of several unique experiences that the Boy Scouts of America offers, since 1937.

Inspired by both of his parents who are veterans, Pantoja has enlisted as a Corpsman in the United States Navy.

For more information on the Chief Cornplanter Council, visit cornplanterbsa.org or call 814-723-6700.