Strasburg Scout earns Eagle rank

JR Banks, a member of Strasburg Boy Scout Troop 72, earned the rank of Eagle Scout Nov. 12. Banks, 18, is a senior at Tuslaw High School and the son of Alisha Anderson and stepson of Mike Anderson of Brewster. His twin brother, Shaun Banks, earned the rank of Eagle Scout in February 2025.

Banks was honored during an Eagle Scout Court of Honor held Dec. 18 at St. John United Church of Christ, 516 N. Wooster Ave. in Strasburg. Participants in the ceremony included members of Troop 72, Assistant Scoutmaster Chris Pratt, Alisha Anderson, Ray Ritenour, Banks’ uncle, who presented the Eagle neckerchief, and Mike Anderson.

Banks completed his Eagle Scout project by improving an outdoor fire pit at St. John United Church of Christ. The project included installing pavers around a new fire ring set on rocks, with railroad ties forming the perimeter. The fire pit is located off Sixth Street NW and is used for church events throughout the year.

“This church is so good to the Scouts, and we are able to meet here,” Banks said. “I noticed the fire pit had weeds growing around it and looked worn. The church uses the area all year, and I wanted to redo the pit.” He said the project took about eight hours to complete and was finished in July.

Banks began Scouting in fall 2014 as a Tiger Scout with Beach City Cub Scout Pack 930. He later transferred to Strasburg Cub Scout Pack 72, where he completed his Webelos II rank in 2018. He crossed over to Boy Scout Troop 72 in 2019 after earning the Arrow of Light Award. He was inducted into the Order of the Arrow in 2021 and is an Arrowman.

During his Scouting career, Banks earned 38 merit badges, along with bronze, silver and gold palms. He also completed fifth-year Pipestone and Polar Bear honors, the 50th Anniversary Environmental Protection Agency Award, the Shoot Nova Award and the Messenger of Peace Award.

Banks is a two-year member of the Tuslaw High School track and field team and is currently applying for acceptance into the Local 18 Operating Engineers Union.

He is the 35th Eagle Scout from Boy Scout Troop 72, which was chartered in 1935. The troop has met at St. John United Church of Christ since 1954 and continues to meet at the church in Strasburg.