KING CITY — King City High School Class of 2023 graduate Dylan Wheeler has earned the rank of Eagle Scout, a significant achievement that only about 6% of all Boy Scouts accomplish.
Wheeler, 18, is the son of Evette and Daniel Wheeler of King City. He is part of the local Boy Scout Troop 101, which along with his parents recently hosted an Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony to recognize this prestigious milestone.
“It takes a lot of work and dedication to become an Eagle, so it is kind of a big deal,” said Evette Wheeler.
Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Scouts BSA program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), and takes years of hard work, service and determination to achieve. Among the requirements are: earning 21 merit badges; serving at least six months in a leadership position; showing dedication to Scout Oath and Scout Law; completing an Eagle service project; and passing a board of review.
Dylan Wheeler first earned Scout rank in 2016, the first rank acquired by youth upon joining a Scouts BSA troop, and then worked his way up through various ranks over the next seven years to now become an Eagle Scout.
His Eagle service project was the Del Rey Life Lab, in which he supervised the restoration of planter beds, barns and picnic tables at the elementary school.
In addition, Wheeler was inducted into the Order of the Arrow, the honor society of the BSA, which recognizes Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives.
King City Mayor Mike LeBarre attended Wheeler’s July 29 ceremony, held at King City Bible Church. He presented Wheeler with a City of King Mayors Proclamation, which called him a “leader with strong moral and ethical character that exemplifies the best of the Boy Scouts of America traditions and values.”
“It is the values of the Scouts that are the backbone of our country,” LeBarre said. “It is individuals like (Wheeler) that maintain the traditions that keep our nation strong, safe and secure.”
LeBarre added that Wheeler has “done a lot in our community.” Over the years, Wheeler has volunteered at many community events and celebrations in King City, always willing to lend a hand to others.
“On behalf of the City Council of King City, we honor Dylan Joel Wheeler, express our sincerest appreciation and thank you for your dedication and contributions to our community, and are proud to recognize your significant achievement of earning the rank of Eagle Scout,” said LeBarre, reading from the proclamation.
Wheeler also received a Certificate of Recognition from the Veterans of Foreign Wars for his “outstanding achievement and exceptional leadership ability evidenced by attainment of the rank of Eagle Scout.”
After Wheeler was pinned with his Eagle Badge, he presented mentor pins to certain individuals who have influenced him. He called up his pastors (Yadira and Alex Negrete), his KCHS swim coaches (Cheryll and Roger Hill) and one of his favorite teachers (KCHS history teacher Ian Espino), among others.
He also gave Eagle grandparent pins to his grandma Velda Mills, for teaching him how to cook many of her recipes — which helped with his Cooking Badge — and to his grandpa Keith Mills, a retired contractor who taught him how to build, repair engines and use many of the tools that go along with completing such tasks.
Wheeler will be attending Hartnell College this fall, enrolling in the welding technology program.
