Few Boy Scouts become Eagle Scouts, so it’s nearly unheard of for three boys from the same troop to reach Eagle rank at the same time.

Yet that’s what happened May 25 in Scotts Valley Troop 604 — Michael Benko, Patrick McMillan and Stuart Wilson were awarded Eagle badges in a rare ceremony known as a Triple Court of Honor.

All three had been Cub Scouts in Pack 608 and entered Troop 604 in June 2002.

Each had to earn at least 21 merit badges, move through five lower ranks and complete a community service project. Scotts Valley High School and Brook Knoll Elementary School are the beneficiaries of those projects.

The work required planning, assembly and management of a team, solicitation of donated materials and actual construction, according to Scoutmaster John McMillan, Patrick McMillan’s father.

Benko, a prep pole vaulter, built two portable pole vault ramps. McMillan renovated and upgraded handicap accessibility at Brook Knoll’s community gardens and Wilson built raised-bed gardens at Brook Knoll.

“All three Eagle scouts are excelling in high school, completing their junior year,” John McMillan said. “They are well-rounded individuals of whom we can all be very proud.”

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