Grandson of Odessa resident has earned Eagle Scout rank

Boy Scout Troop #275 of the Blue Mountain Council has announced that Spencer Ballo, 18, of Kennewick has been awarded the rank of Eagle Scout. Spencer is a Senior at Kamiakin High School in Kennewick, has been on the honor roll all four years and is active in Tech Club, cross-country and varsity track, as well as coaching this year for Upward Bound soccer.

Ballo joins an elite group of young men who have earned the Eagle rank. The first Eagle was awarded in 1912 and less than 4% of Boy Scouts achieve this highest honor in Scouting. Spencer started in Scouting as a Cub Scout in grade school, crossing over into Boy Scouts with Troop #275 in 2006.

In his time as a Boy Scout, Ballo has earned more than 21 merit badges. He has attended multiple summer Scout camps and has also earned his Order of the Arrow, served as Troop Quartermaster and Patrol Leader and has held other leadership positions within his troop. He earned his 50-miler badge on a particularly perilous 50-mile canoe trip on the U.S./Canada border.

Ballo’s Eagle project included clearing new trails and closing some less-used trails at Amon Basin Wildlife Preserve. He also erected two 4'x8' metal warning signs on 16-foot tall 4x6-inch posts, digging the post holes himself by hand and coordinating the ordering and delivery of cement and other materials for the project.

Ballo is the son of Susan Praetorius Ballo and David Ballo of Kennewick and the grandson of Louella Praetorius and the late Bob Praetorius of Odessa.