Eight Boy Scouts were honored for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout on Friday night at the First Presbyterian Church on Broad Street.

Eagle is the highest rank a Boy Scout can achieve.

Leith Wilson, Crane Senior District executive director for Boy Scouts of America in Dallas, Perry, and Wilcox counties, said Eagle rank is a grueling process that requires dedication.

“Less than 2 percent of all scouts achieve the rank,” Wilson said.

The eight scouts honored were William Benton Lee, James Richard Boozer, Heath William Brantley, Judson Thomas Mott, Charles Hartwell Sims V, Cecil Wayne Dunnam Jr., Mark Anthony Black Eric Roussell Jr. and William Taylor Deyampert.

Boozer, Sims, Black and Roussell were the only scouts in attendance.

The scouts came from five different troops in the Crane District. The district is part of the Tukabatchee Area Council located in Montgomery.

John Mott, scout leader for Troop 26, said he is proud of the scouts’ accomplishment.

“It tells me that the kids are growing up to be responsible adults,” he said.

For many scouts, this is something they have been working toward their entire lives.

“It’s not something you can just put aside,” said James Boozer. “You gotta be dedicated.”

His father, Ricky, added, “It’s a lot of work, a lot of projects and a lot of traveling.”

Mark Black said becoming an Eagle Scout is something he can tell his kids and grandkids about one day.

Eric Roussell Jr. agreed. “It’s a milestone,” he said.

In order to achieve Eagle, a scout must earn at least 21 merit badges and complete a final project.

Boozer built raised flowerbeds at a retirement home. Black organized a book donation program to promote literacy at schools around Selma. Charles Sims renovated a food pantry.

“It was a lifetime goal,” Sims said. “One I finally achieved.”