At the Eagle Scout ceremony for her son, Alex, Judith Encinias said she couldn’t help but get emotional.
Alex, 17, a junior at Arapahoe High School, is the fourth generation in his family to achieve the highest Boy Scout honor.
“Sitting at that court of honor and watching my brother administer that Eagle oath and my father putting that Eagle neckerchief around his neck still takes my breath away,” said Judith Encinias, who also serves as an assistant scout master in his troop.
The legacy of Eagle Scouts started in 1917 when Alex’s great grandfather, Rodney Jay Bardwell Jr., got his Eagle status. His grandfather, Lloyd Steinmann, got his in 1943, with his brother, Walter, following. His uncle, Michael Steinmann, got his Eagle in 1966.
Alex Encinias joined Cub Scouts early on and was mulling whether to continue into Boy Scouts. Judith Encinias asked him what he would tell his son about why he never got his Eagle, and she said he was determined from then on.
“That was pretty much a giant kick in the (rear),” Alex Encinias said “It’s kind of hard to not continue a family legacy like that.”
And he decided to further honor that legacy with his Eagle Scout project by building three flag boxes for Fort Logan National Cemetery, where his great-grandfather, a veteran of World War II, is buried. He also wants to carry on another family tradition of enrolling in the military, though he doesn’t yet know which branch. He said he also was motivated to get his Eagle because it means you can start a few ranks up in the military.
“I was able to give back to people who sacrificed for my country and us, and so me sacrificing my time was the only way I could really pay them back, so that’s why I did that,” he said.
He said being in Boy Scouts has made him more disciplined and expanded his knowledge and skills.
Judith Encinias said Alex also has teamwork, leadership and social skills most young people don’t get.
Clayton Woullard: 303-954-2671, cwoullard@denverpost.com or
