Mebane council honors three new Eagle Scouts, highlights youth civic pipeline

Mebane city council last week recognized three local young men who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, a milestone that city leaders said reinforces the pipeline of future civic participants in Alamance County. The council formally honored Henry Leventhal and brothers Brody Kerins and Torin Kerins during its January 15 meeting.

The recognition took place during the regular council session, with Mayor Ed Hooks in attendance. Henry Leventhal was accompanied by his grandparents, Joe and Susan Jacaruso; his parents, Brian and Erin Leventhal were out of town. Brody and Torin Kerins attended with their father, Ryan Kerins, who assists with the scout troop. The ceremony acknowledged their advancement to scouting’s highest rank, a distinction that typically reflects sustained leadership, community service, and completion of a significant, volunteer-led project.

Earning Eagle Scout remains one of the most visible indicators of long-term youth civic engagement, and local officials noted the practical connections between scouting and municipal life. The rank requires months to years of commitment, project planning and community coordination, activities that mirror the skills needed in local government, nonprofit work, and neighborhood organizing. For a city balancing growth and community needs, cultivating young leaders through programs such as scouting represents an informal but tangible investment in future civic capacity.

The council’s recognition also highlights a recurring policy discussion for local governments: how to support extracurricular and volunteer-based youth programs that foster leadership. While the ceremony itself was celebratory, it raises questions about sustained municipal backing for facilities, park access, and partnership opportunities that scouts and other youth groups rely on. City leaders who routinely place these acknowledgments on the council agenda can use the moments to assess whether existing budgets and policies adequately support these community-building activities.

For residents, the event serves as a reminder that many future volunteers and local officeholders begin with neighborhood-focused service. It also signals that city government sees value in acknowledging youth contributions publicly, which can strengthen ties between families, volunteer organizations and elected officials. Parents and residents who want to encourage similar paths can look to troop leadership and city council meetings as places to volunteer, collaborate on projects, or advocate for youth program resources.

As Mebane continues to grow, the presence of Eagle Scouts in the community will remain an indicator of civic health and volunteer capacity. The council’s recognition of Leventhal, Brody Kerins and Torin Kerins is both celebration and prompt: supporting the next generation of leaders requires continued attention to the programs and policies that make sustained youth engagement possible.