Jonathan Martin Lynch and James Brent Box and received their Eagle Scout badges during a ceremony Tuesday night at Rome’s First United Methodist Church.

The two are members of Troop 113 that is sponsored by the church.

To receive the honor, Scouts must earn 21 merit badges, serve actively in a troop leadership position for a period of six months after becoming a Life Scout, perform a community service project and appear before a board of review.

Click here to read more about the Boy Scouts of Northwest Georgia.

Lynch said his Eagle Scout project was a planting and beautification project at Johnson Elementary.

“I planted 32 trees at the elementary school and had to fill in around them with topsoil and fertilizer,” he said. “I also refurbished some park benches in a picnic area there.”

Lynch said he learned a lot from his work, including how to coordinate and organize a project and collaborate with others. He said that receiving his Eagle Scout pin was a humbling event.

“It’s pretty nice — I’m not a huge fan of a lot of publicity, but I enjoy the satisfaction that comes with accomplishing something,” he said.

Box said his project involved working at the Rome-Floyd YMCA’s Grizzard Park.

“I built a pair of sandboxes in the children’s area at the park,” Box said. “I worked with Scott McCrelless, and he had some specific ideas in mind about what kind they wanted. I wound up creating a pair of 4-by-8-foot boxes that are a little off the ground and can be covered up.

“There were a lot of things to consider including a surface that wouldn’t splinter, how to provide drainage and making a safe top for it,” he added. “It was pretty neat when we were done because some kids came up and played in them right away.”

He said the Eagle Scout Award means a lot to him because of what it represents.

“It’s pretty special because of the amount of time and work you put into it,” Box said. “Scouting is a really great experience and it helps you grow up a lot.”

Box graduated from Calhoun High School and now attends the University of Georgia. While at Calhoun High, he was an outstanding cross country runner and track and field participant. Box lettered all four years while in high school and qualified for the state meet. He said he plans to major in biological engineering at Georgia.

He has been active in the Order of the Arrow, and attended Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico. He is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Brent Box.

Lynch is a junior at Darlington School and a member of the swimming team. He has also served as band section leader and volunteers with the Rome Area Council for the Arts. He has been active in the Order of the Arrow and attended Philmont Scout Ranch.

He is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Martin J. Lynch.

Tuesday’s ceremony also recognized other scouts who have earned the rank of Boy Scout, Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, 1st Class, Star and Life.