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Elijah Fox, a member of Boy Scout Troop 202 and a resident of Locust, has earned the honor of Eagle Scout, the highest rank that the Boy Scouts offers. Only 3 to 4 percent of Boy Scout members ever attain this prestigious honor.

Fox, 18, of West Stanly High School, achieved the 21 merit badges required to receive the Eagle Scout award. For his final project, he created a sensory garden for Stanfield Elementary school to provide the students with sensory experiences of touch, sound and smell. After high school, he plans to attend Stanly Community College for two before transferring to a four-year university.

“I am grateful for the attendance, help and especially the donations of resources from friends and family toward my Eagle Project,” he said.

Fox was honored at a ceremony at 2 p.m. Feb. 6 at Locust Presbyterian Church.

He has been on a number of scouting trips — including an 11-day backpacking adventure through the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico last summer. He has also traveled with Troop 202 to Yosemite National Park in California and Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.

Troop 202 has been active in the community through The Big Serve, picking up trash along Running Creek Road through the Adopt-A-Highway program and volunteering at West Stanly Christian Ministries. They meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday and charter out of Locust Presbyterian Church.