Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Scouting Brothers Getting Prepared For Life

Ward Sanderson Correspondent

The Boy Scout motto is “be prepared.” Three brothers who attend East Valley High School have really taken that motto to heart.

In between competing in sports, playing in the school band and maintaining 4.0 grade point averages, the three made time to earn their Eagle Scout awards, too.

The oldest of the three Shogren brothers, Rob, is an EV senior and already an Eagle Scout. His two brothers - John, a freshman, and Paul, a sophomore - will become Eagle Scouts at a ceremony this Sunday.

All three got involved with Scouting when they were in second grade.

“Some other people in Rob’s class were involved, so he joined, too,” said Helen Shogren, the boys’ mother. “We ended up sticking with it.”

That’s an understatement. While many Scouts quit after earning their Eagle award, Rob remained active until he received his bronze, gold and silver Eagle Palms.

To earn an Eagle award in the first place, Scouts must prepare a service project. At his award ceremony, the Scout must give a presentation about the project.

“It has to be something that benefits the community,” John said. He built a gate to protect the Mohab Irrigation District reservoir area. Paul built a no-burning sign to alert those entering Fire District 13.

Still, the three have remained active in Scouting over the years because, well, it’s fun.

Hiking, camping and rappeling are the brothers’ favorite Scouting activities.

Bob Shogren, the boys’ father, said such activities as rappeling build character and self-esteem.

“It’s nice to see the confidence those activities instill in these kids,” he said.

That confidence helps them in their respective sports, too. Rob competes in cross country, basketball and track and in previous years has played football. Paul currently plays football and used to play baseball. John plays football, basketball and soccer.

How do they manage to squeeze all that in, along with band and the studying required to earn straight A’s?

“It’s just utilization of time,” Bob said of his sons’ activity juggling.

There’s also still time for fun on weekends. The family enjoys fishing and hiking together on Saturdays. All three brothers are altar boys at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, and are active in the church youth group.

The grades have yet to suffer, though. In fact, if things stay on course for Rob as far as the books are concerned, he’ll be valedictorian of his class.

The youngest brother said it’s not brainpower that is responsible for their success, but discipline.

“You don’t have to be smart to get good grades,” John said. “You just have to work hard.”