Austin Drake

Austin was born on May 30, 1992 in Pasadena. His 11-year scouting adventure began with Cub Scout Pack 302 where he met other eager boys willing to tackle Cub Scout advancement. After rising in ranks, Austin earned Cub Scouting’s highest award, the Arrow of Light, and bridged to Boy Scout Troop 509 in April 2003.

Troop 509 offered Austin the resources to progress in leadership skills and gave him ample hands-on outing experiences. He served the Troop in various leadership positions including instructor, bugler, assistant senior patrol leader at Camp Cherry Valley, patrol leader, and assistant patrol leader. Some of his most memorable outings included making it to the summit of San Jacinto in 2003; National Jamboree 2005; rock scrambling at Joshua Tree National Park in 2007; World Jamboree in Chelmsford, England 2007; and four trips to Camp Cherry Valley where on his third he earned his favorite merit badge, Small Boat Sailing. He believes World Jamboree was the highlight of his scouting career because he met many new friends from across the globe and learned about cultural traditions from other countries.

Austin’s Eagle Leadership Service Project made it possible to feed hundreds of needy families through Los Angeles’ Union Rescue Mission (URM). He organized and conducted a non-perishable food drive in the La Crescenta community, resulting in the collection and delivery of 1,450 lbs. of non-perishable food items. During the project, he led 24 boys over several consecutive Saturdays and donated 230 hours of volunteer service. News coverage in the local newspaper and a video on URM’s website brought Austin wide-spread attention and highlighted URM’s claim that “one person can make a difference.” Austin is quick to add that the help from boys in his Troop added greatly to the success of his project. He said of the experience, “It was because of such tedious work and tremendous detail put into the planning that the project ran so smoothly.”

As a senior at Crescenta Valley High School, he could often be found in his home away from home, the band room. Teacher Mat Schick keeps him busy performing on the tuba and trumpet in the CVHS Marching/Concert Band, Symphony Orchestra and Jazz Band. With his trumpet, he had the privilege of marching in the 2010 Rose Parade with the Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Honor Band. At the 2009 Fullerton Jazz Festival, he won the Outstanding Jazz Performer award and is planning to audition for military bands, mainly the United States Navy Band.

For six years, Austin has been an avid handbell performer in various handbell choirs at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena.  He is also active in the church’s student ministries department.

Austin is very thankful for all the scouts and adults who helped him complete the most challenging and fulfilling project of his life, especially Richard Key whose “leadership and encouragement as Scoutmaster were major contributors to my success on outings and in meetings.”

  Austin Drake, Boy Scouts