Michelson first Scout in troop history to earn top palm ranking

In Mountain Brook’s 45 years of existence and approximately 242 Eagle Scouts, Joel Michelson, a member of Troop 320, recently became the first to earn three Eagle Palms, earning a total of 39 merit badges.

After a Scout receives his Eagle rank, the only other awards he can earn are Silver, Gold and Bronze Palms. These are earned for each additional five merit badges (more than the 21 required for Eagle) and three months of additional involvement in the troop.

Joel’s Eagle Scout Project was to refurbish the Brookwood Forest Elementary School Nature Trail. This project helped preserve the life of the trail, made it a better environment for classes at Brookwood Forest Elementary School, and also enhanced the appearance of the nature trail. Educational experiences outdoors are now more beneficial for the students at Brookwood Forest.

With the help of other scouts, Joel built a podium and two benches for an outdoor classroom and cleaned up the many logs and branches lying on and near the trail. He put landscaping timbers on the sides of the trail to prevent plants from growing onto it and repainted the entrance sign to the trail.

Donations from area friends and relatives helped to pay for Joel’s project, and he was able to donate more than $750 to Brookwood Forest to help with trail maintenance.

Joel is a senior at Mountain Brook High School. He is a member of Mu Alpha Theta and Spanish Honor Society, plays trumpet in the marching and symphonic band, and sings in the Chamber Choir. He is a National Merit Commended Scholar.

Joel is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Michelson of Mountain Brook and the grandson of Dr. and Mrs. Leonard Michelson of Montgomery and the Honorable and Mrs. Ed Fowler of Hamilton.