Years of giving back to the community have earned multiple Boy Scouts at Diamond Bar High School their Eagle Scout ranks.

The Eagle Scout rank is the highest any Boy Scout can achieve and is carried for life after completion. It requires a capstone volunteer Eagle Project as well as a leadership position and board interview.

Senior Evan Thomas became the 129th Eagle Scout of Troop 730 on Aug. 2, having completed his Eagle Project in February. His project included the construction of a fence around the pollinator plants at the Diamond Bar Community Garden behind the Diamond Bar United Church of Christ.

“My inspiration was a multicolored fence in the Fullerton Arboretum’s children’s garden,” Thomas said via BAND. “I chose to complete this project so that I can help beautify the pollinator garden, which in turn can help future generations to appreciate nature a little more.”

Thomas said that the hardest part of his Eagle Project was the initial start-up and building the surrounding fence.

Junior Brandon Wu became the 131st Eagle Scout of Troop 730 on Aug. 9. His project consisted of landscaping the garden at Saint Matthew’s United Methodist Church. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic led to additional difficulties, requiring additional precautions such as limited numbers of volunteers and protective equipment.

“I first came up with my idea to do my project at Saint Matthew’s United Methodist Church when I attended my first few Order of the Arrow Meetings,” Wu said. “I decided that I wanted to leave a lasting impact on the birthplace of Eagle Scouts and also do my duty to God.”

Order of the Arrow is an additional honor society within the Boy Scouts for those who best exemplify Scout values. Wu, who has been a Boy Scout since 5th grade, attributes his parents, fellow Boy Scouts and his Troop’s adult leadership with helping him complete his Eagle Rank.

“After four years of hard work and rank advancement, I was able to work on my Eagle process with the help of very supportive adults,” Wu said via Messenger. “I personally believe that achieving Eagle was a lifelong journey for me.”

Junior Justin Lou was the 130th Eagle Scout of Troop 730, completing his Eagle Project early this year and earning the distinction on Aug. 7. Lou stated that he wanted his project to benefit others

“I built four cornhole tosses and two storage units for the Heart of Hope club,” Lou said via Messenger. “They specialized in helping special needs kids.”