Jefferson County has something to celebrate: for the first time in 15 years, a local Scout has earned the rank of Eagle — the highest honor in Scouting America.
Giovanni Martinelli, 17, of Madras, received his Eagle Scout recognition in a ceremony held at the Erickson Air Museum, capping a decade of work that began when he joined Scouting at age seven. He is a founding member of Troop 9058, one of only two Scouting groups in Jefferson County.
A Rare Achievement
Only about 5 percent of all Scouts ever reach the rank of Eagle. The path requires earning 21 merit badges — 12 of them specifically designated as required — rising through a series of leadership ranks, completing a community service project, and passing a formal review board interview.
"It’s progressively harder for them," said Dave Jarvis, CEO of the Pacific Crest Council, the Scouting America body that oversees programs across 13 Oregon counties including Jefferson. "It requires them to provide more leadership, more service."
For Martinelli, the journey spanned a full decade and included the founding years of a brand-new troop in Madras — a troop that didn’t exist when he started in Scouts.
Scouting’s Roots in Jefferson County
Troop 9058 and Pack 7058 — the two Scouting groups currently active in Jefferson County — were formed starting in 2018, after the previous Scouts troop chartered through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints disbanded when that partnership ended. Martinelli was among the founding members who helped establish the new troop, making his Eagle achievement especially meaningful for the young organization.
Scouting America, which was formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America, now welcomes all genders. More than 6,000 girls have earned the Eagle rank since women were fully admitted to the program in 2019.
A Milestone for the Community
Eagle Scout ceremonies are community events, and this one drew family, troop leaders, and Scouting officials from across the region to celebrate a milestone that Jefferson County hasn’t seen in a generation.
The gap of 15 years without an Eagle Scout in Jefferson County reflects both the small size of local Scouting programs and the genuine difficulty of achieving the rank. Martinelli’s accomplishment sets a benchmark and serves as an example for younger Scouts in the area who are working their way up the ranks.
The Madras Bulletin congratulates Giovanni Martinelli and the leadership of Troop 9058 on this outstanding achievement.