Once an Eagle, always an Eagle.

Engraved on every medallion, it’s the mantra presented to those who achieve the prestigious honor of the highest rank in Scouts BSA.

Earning the rank recently, Kingfisher High School senior Kooper Fahlenkamp joined only approximately 8% of all Boy Scouts who attain the distinction.

“It has always been a dream of mine to become an Eagle Scout,” Fahlenkamp said.

The accomplishment is respected throughout the world for the hard work, determination, commitment to service and other positive qualities recipients develop through the achievement.

Involved in Scouts BSA, formerly Boy Scouts of America, for over 10 years, Fahlenkamp said he began learning various skills and earning merit badges as part of a Boy Scout troop in Tuttle.

Fahlenkamp and his father, Kyle, spent many hours working together learning the skills and fulfilling the requirements to eventually become an Eagle Scout.

“We would go to Scout camps on weekends where we learned new skills and completed assignments to earn merit badges and achieve different ranks as well as my attending a week of summer camp,” Fahlenkamp said.

When he was in sixth grade, Fahlenkamp and his older brother, Kyle, moved with his mother, Tiffany Farrar, to Kingfisher, where he continued his dedication to scouting in Troop 196 led by Scoutmaster David Johnson and Assistant Scoutmaster Brian Miller.

Fahlenkamp worked his way through the ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star and the last rank before Eagle Scout, Life Scout, earning over 30 merit badges along the way.

Of the varied activities and skills he has acquired, Fahlenkamp said some of his favorite are pottery and basket making.

To achieve Eagle Scout, 21 badges are required including citizenship, first aid, cooking, emergency preparedness, personal fitness, camping, family life as well as other beneficial life skills.

Scouts must spend at least six months at each rank attaining knowledge and badges as well as hold a leadership position within the troop, Fahlenkamp said.

Fahlenkamp served as the senior patrol leader twice while transitioning through different ranks.

As a Life Scout and in preparation to become an Eagle Scout, Fahlenkamp needed to develop and complete a community service project.

While contemplating ideas on the right project, DHS child welfare worker Debbie Osborn suggested creating a cabinet with shelves for Soft Landings, Kingfisher County’s DHS visitation house.

In need of a place to sort and store shoes donated for the children they serve, a designated cabinet would provide an organized place to locate proper shoes during times of crisis, she said.

After constructing the project proposal and receiving approval, Fahlenkamp began construction of a wooden cabinet with the help of his troop and troop leaders.

“Kooper was excited about the idea and took it from there,” Osborn said.

“He came to the house, measured the space and now we have sturdy shelves to store the shoes, which will be used for years to come, serving the foster children of Kingfisher County,” she added.

It took about three months for the completion of the Eagle Scout project from the proposal to the board of review’s approval, Fahlenkamp said.

“I was happy to do it for them,” he added.

With all the requirements completed, Fahlenkamp received the board of review approval officially making him an Eagle Scout and also qualifying him to be an assistant Scoutmaster.

He will be acknowledged at a Court of Honor ceremony in the near future.

Becoming an Eagle Scout helps you grow, Fahlenkamp said, and develops character and leadership which will benefit you the rest of your life.

Fahlenkamp is also a student at Chisholm Trail Technology Center where he is completing an I.T. certification and he also assists with filming KHS football games.

After graduating high school, his plans are to pursue a degree in fine art business and animation at OSU-OKC. He said his ultimate dream is to work as an animation graphic artist.

When asked if he had any encouragement or advice for future Boy Scouts hoping to attain Eagle Scout, Fahlenkamp said, “Don’t become an Eagle Scout for the prestige, but for the qualities you will develop as a person and how it prepares you for life.

“The law, the oath and all you have learned will stick with you throughout life and guide you.”