Oxford News

When you think of how a typical 17-year-old boy might spend his afternoon, your thoughts probably consist of something like playing video games, bickering with siblings or plotting an explanation of how his dog just ate his homework.

Meet the exception, James Larson.

The not-so-typical high school student spent his summer constructing two boardwalk bridges over wet and muddy drainage areas of Hueston Woods State Park, earning himself the coveted ranking of Eagle Scout.

"An Eagle ranking is very prestigious," Larson said. "Only 4 percent of scouts get it, so it's a big deal."

Larson, however, spent no time reflecting on his accomplishment. Instead, he graduated early from Talawanda High School through an independent course, won a scholarship and flew to Germany where he will be studying for the next year.

"I've always wanted to go to Germany," Larson said. "My family are world travelers and my mom spent time there."

To become an Eagle Scout, Larson had to work his way up through the Scouting program. He started out as a Cub Scout, soon became a Boy Scout and progressed through six ranks. He led his own troop of scouts as the Senior Patrol Leader, conducted many hours of community service and earned 21 merit badges in his career.

These accomplishments left only one more requirement standing in the way of an Eagle Scout ranking. Larson would have to do a service project benefiting another organization other than the scouts. Luckily, he knew exactly who to turn to: His friends.

"I have a few friends who work in the park system so I went to the nature center and talked to the naturalists to see what needed done," he said.

While working closely with the Rangers at Hueston Woods, Larson's role involved designing, coordinating and leading the construction of two board walks over the West Shore Trail. Made out of recycled telephone poles, the bridges were 10 and 20 feet in length, requiring five days of construction on top of months of preparation and planning.

Larson and his team of five scouts and three adults found gaining access to the construction site to be difficult, ultimately using a boat to bridge over the creek and drainage paths.

Bruce Seyberth is Larson's Scoutmaster. He met Larson eight years ago as a Cub Scout and recognizes his discipline and ambition.

"He's a good leader and an outstanding young man who is well organized and thoughtful in his approach to tasks," Seyberth said. "He has big goals and has worked hard to achieve those goals."

On Sept. 2, Larson flew to Germany to accomplish a goal he set for himself one day while sitting in his high school foreign language class. There, Larson heard about an opportunity through AFS Intercultural program in which 250 American students study in Germany each year.

Larson applied to the program and won a scholarship to pay for his tuition and airfare.

"I just really wanted to learn the language and the different culture," Larson said.

For the first month, Larson is living with a temporary host family and undergoing intensive study of the German language. Then, he will be placed with a permanent host family who he will live with for the remainder of his stay.

"I'm really into cars, specifically BMW and Mercedes," Larson said. "My host dad is a vintage Volvo constructor so I'll be spending lots of time with him in the garage."

Another atypical statement from an atypical teenager.