PORT ST. LUCIE — “A good friend listens to your adventures. A best friend makes them with you.”

No one seems to know who first uttered those wise words, but they perfectly capture the journey of two young local men who have just earned Scouting’s highest honor — together.

After 12 years of shared experiences, challenges, and leadership growth, Tyler Campbell, 18, and Brenden Burlace, 17, were formally awarded the rank of Eagle Scout on Friday evening during a Court of Honor ceremony held at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Port St. Lucie, home of Boy Scout Pack and Troop 499.

The Eagle Scout rank represents the pinnacle of achievement in the Boy Scouts of America, earned by fewer than 4 percent of Scouts nationwide. To reach this milestone, Scouts must demonstrate exceptional leadership, service, and commitment over many years, culminating in the completion of a significant community service project.

For Tyler, that project was the installation of an illuminated flagpole on St. Andrew’s church grounds and the beautification of the area around it, while also serving to honor the United States Armed Forces and all those who have served.

Each branch is recognized with a stone marker bearing its service symbol, with native plants placed neatly between.

The project had been attempted twice previously but ultimately abandoned.

Tyler stated that he felt it was his duty to see it through to completion, raising funds for the project materials by selling Crumbl Cookies. He chose to donate the money left over after the project’s completion back to the church where the Troop is based.

The flagpole and service garden were blessed by St. Andrew’s Pastor Randy Kennedy, himself an Army veteran.

Brenden’s service project was the installation of a dry riverbed with a small bridge over it in the Faerie Garden section of Port St. Lucie Botanical Garden, a place the young man describes as one of his most favorite in the area.

“He seems to find peace there,” said his mother, Dawn Burlace, who attended the ceremony with Brenden’s father Kevin.

Using recycled materials, Brenden designed and completed the project over a five-month period, raising funds by selling 3-D glasses during the Holiday Lights event at the botanical gardens. His efforts have added a safe and scenic element to the popular children’s stortyime area of the Gardens.

The Eagle Scout Court of Honor celebrated not only their accomplishments, but also the journey that brought them there.

Surrounded by family members, friends, mentors, and fellow Scouts, the two young men reflected on years of camping trips, leadership roles, service projects, and the sometimes daunting paperwork required at each stage of the process.

Both are students at Somerset College Preparatory Academy, where they balance academic commitments with community involvement and leadership activities.

Speakers at the ceremony praised Campbell and Burlace for their dedication, integrity, and willingness to lead by example.

Troop Leader Robbie Givens emphasized that the Eagle Scout rank is not simply an award, but a lifelong commitment to service, ethical leadership, and civic responsibility.

For both young men, the honor was made even more meaningful by the fact that they have traveled the Scouting path side by side since their earliest days in the program.

Veronique Campbell, Tyler’s mother, who attended with dad Justin, and Dawn Burlace, both grew emotional as they spoke with obvious pride not only at their sons’ milestone achievements but for the amazing young men they’ve both become.

Brenden and Tyler were no less effusive when thanking their parents for a lifetime of support and encouragement through their scouting journey.

For Campbell and Burlace, earning Eagle together underscored the value of friendship and teamwork. While the path to Eagle Scout is often demanding, their shared journey demonstrated how mutual support and encouragement can make even the toughest challenges achievable.

As they look toward graduation and future endeavors, both young men carry forward the lessons learned through Scouting — leadership, service, perseverance, and friendship.

Their achievement stands as a point of pride not only for Troop 499, but for the entire Port St. Lucie community.