NATCHEZ &045; It’s the highest honor a Boy Scout can achieve, and only 2 percent of them ever attain it.

But this year alone, at least six in Adams County will reach that goal &045; including Claude Ray of Troop 170, who received his Eagle Scout medal Saturday in the solemn ceremony Scouts reserve for such an occasion.

Ray, 16, went beyond requirements for the honor, earning 31 merit badges in areas ranging from personal fitness to family life to government instead of the required minimum of 21.

Ray also tackled a two-part community service project: planting flowers at Community Chapel Church of God and cleaning playground equipment at the Sunshine Shelter.

He’s advanced through all levels of Scouting in 10 years and has attended and assisted at several Scout summer camps.

He also held the positions of patrol leader, senior patrol leader and chaplain’s aide.

But Ray, in brief remarks during the ceremony at Community Chapel, said he didn’t make it all this way alone.

&uot;I want to say ‘thank you’ to all the supporters who helped me reach my goal,&uot; he said.

Those included Eddie Ray, Claude Ray’s father, who also serves as the scoutmaster of Troop 170.

&uot;You’re always proud to see a Scout make Eagle, but you’re even more proud when he’s your son,&uot; Eddie Ray said.

Claude Ray also presented with mentor pins to Judy Redd, his aunt and the wife of the late Ronald Redd, who was like a surrogate father to the Scout; Assistant Scoutmaster Ralph Tedder; and Community Chapel’s pastor, the Rev. Steve Pearson.

The Scout presented his mother and father with Eagle Scout pins &045; and warm hugs.

He also reaffirmed his support of Scouting by repeating the oath in which Boy Scouts promise to serve God and country as well as other people and to keep themselves strong, &uot;mentally awake and morally straight.&uot;

And this just beginning, for an Eagle Scout is expected to &uot;be a leader, but only to the best Š to the common good,&uot; said Jonathan Knight, master of ceremonies, who attained the Eagle Scout rank in 2003.

While Eagle Scout is definitely an honor, the real benefit Scouts get from earning is knowledge, confidence and learning to set and attain goals, scoutmasters said.

Claude Ray wasn’t the only one honored Saturday, however. Coulter Streetman and Jerrett Logan received multiple merit badges during the ceremony.