Jeremy Butz, a senior at Bothell High School, has been named The American Legion Department of Washington Eagle Scout of the Year.

Butz, the son of Joel and Heidi Butz, is a member of Boy Scout Troop 356 which is sponsored by Bothell American Legion Post 127. As the winning candidate for this award, his application has been sent to The American Legion National Headquarters for consideration for the National Award.

Butz is in the Puget Sound District of the Mount Baker Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He has earned 36 Merit Badges, which earned him one Bronze and one Gold Palm after his Eagle Rank. He earned his Eagle Rank on May 15, 2014. He is also a member of Venturing Crew 2097 sponsored by the West Seattle Lions Club in the Chief Seattle Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

The Eagle Scout of the Year Award and Scholarship evaluates candidates on their high school record, Boy Scout experience, Eagle Scout Project, community activities and religious activities, including attaining the appropriate religious recognition for his faith. In addition, his application must include four specific letters of recommendation. Applications are reviewed by a committee made up of experienced Legion Scouters in order to choose the winning application. Five applications were reviewed this year.

All were quite competitive, so it does require close review by the committee members.

Butz is in the top 10 percent of his class at Bothell High School. He earned his Religious Award, God and Life, from the Assemblies of God through his church, Redmond Assembly. His Scouting record demonstrated a wide variety of leadership experiences, outdoor and high adventure activities membership in the Order of the Arrow. His Eagle Project built benches and arbors at Hole in the Sky Park owned by Snohomish County, which took 326 man hours to complete. His community participation included assisting with numerous community events. He has also served on six mission trips to Mexico to help build homes.

Butz will be presented with his award and a $1,000 scholarship in July during the Legion’s Annual Convention in Spokane. The National winner will be announced after May 1 and that winner will receive a scholarship for $10,000 at the National Convention in Baltimore in August. There are three $2,500 runner-up awards also presented.