A Santa Clarita Eagle Scout is sharing his journey to achieving the highest rank in scouting. 

Justin Shakoori, 18, of Canyon Country, and two other Boy Scouts were honored with his achievement of Eagle Scout Saturday.

After nearly a decade as a BSA Scout, Shakoori achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, and was celebrated by a drive-through from friends, family and his troop.

“I started at 10,” Shakoorit said. “I liked it because of the activities. Stuff I would never be able to do anywhere else and I am very grateful for it. I’d say around 2017 I said to myself ‘this is actually possible.’”

In order to achieve Eagle rank, Shakoori was required to earn 21 merit badges, 13 of which are standard for the rank, and another eight which are chosen by the scout.

“To be an eagle scout you had to do merit badges, in addition, you have to carry out a community service project you lead,” Shakoori added.

The Eagle Scout project has the scout leading other scouts and working alongside a professional in a specific industry.

Shakoori worked with his general contractor father and a landscaping friend to build street-facing signage and an eco-friendly garden for L.A. County Fire Station 107.

Shakoori’s drive-through Eagle Scout celebration wasn’t his first this summer, either.

“Now we can do a drive-by car of honor, I think this is the first coat of honors like this,” Shakoori said. “It’s kind of cool but kind of sad because you can’t have everyone together. It was unique. I also graduated from Canyon (High School) like that.”

Shakoori is currently doing volunteer work with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station and plans on attending College of the Canyons, looking to use his skills learned in BSA to lead to a career path.

“They basically help you with what career you want to go into,” Shakoori added. “One of my favorites is Search and Rescue. There’s scenarios, rope tying, first aid, and info to find someone. I could become a search and rescue deputy one day.”

It is said that nearly only two in 100 scouts achieve Eagle Rank, and Shakoori believes it’s an honor to be among those few, giving him confidence and leadership skills.

For his Eagle Scout project, Shakoori built street-facing signage and an eco-friendly garden for L.A. County Fire Station 107.

“I know that in case of an emergency I feel pretty confident I can take care of myself and others and be a leader,” Shakoori said. “My next step would be to go to College of the Canyons and get an associates in Administration of Justice. I took fingerprinting because it taught about law enforcement a little bit. Some Scouts are officers and you can get some insight.”

Shakoori claims a motivation for staying with the Scouts through his Eagle rank was living life to its fullest.

“I realized how short life is. I tried to live to the fullest,” Shakoori added. “You have to leave behind a good legacy to do what you like, and to be remembered as a good person.”

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