Aaron Avelino, a seventeen-year-old Eagle Scout from Tsoiotsi Tsogalii Lodge in Greensboro, North Carolina was recently recognized with the BSA Honor Medal. Avelino was presented with the medal in front of his family and thousands of Arrowmen at the SR7B Conclave in April for his actions in an emergency that during their family vacation. Aaron's family and friends were about to start a day of waterskiing when an explosion took place aboard their boat. Aaron’s actions on the day of the accident showed that, as a direct result of his training in the Scouting program, he could act as a hero and keep a cool, priorities-minded head while dealing with a weighted responsibility.
Shep Cordray, a family friend of the Avelinos, wrote that "what seemed like a small disaster at the time could have been a major tragedy." Once in the water on Friday August 3, 2012, the group noticed the boat's motor had died. After Cordray tried restarting it, the engine made a sound as though it was going to turn over. Immediately following this, a loud boom shook the vessel, followed by a large ball of heat moving towards the back of the boat. "I had felt the hot blast flow up the whole front of my body and remember looking down toward my feet and seeing flames. I heard Aaron yell, 'Get out of the boat! Get out of the boat!'" said Donna Avelino, Aaron's mother. After that, the rest of Aaron’s time in the water was spent managing those who were injured, making sure no further injuries occurred, and restoring the overall safety of the situation. Glenda Cordray and Donna Avelino suffered the worst injuries, having been in the most direct path of the fire.
"It took a while to comprehend the damage and just how bad this accident could have really been," said Avelino. When I talked to the park ranger, he said it was very rare to talk to someone who has been on a boat that has exploded. After that conversation, he began to realize that he could've lost his life in the situation.
Aaron was awarded the BSA Honor Medal, a recognition given for demonstrating unusual heroism and skill in saving or attempting to save a life at considerable risk to self. Only 2,354 people have received this award since its conception in 1923, accounting for less than 0.01% of all Scouts. Aaron's actions help to show that the principles of our Order, such as "seeking to serve," can always be used in our everyday life if we are ready to help.