On February 9, Nicholas G. Schaefer, an 8th grader at The Hill School in Middleburg, achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in Boy Scout Troop 982.

As his Eagle project, Nicholas designed and constructed a stone pathway at St. James Episcopal Church, where he serves as an acolyte and lector.

Nicholas has served as the troop Senior Patrol Leader and was inducted into the Boy Scout's National Honor Society - Order of the Arrow in April 2013. At age 14, Nicholas is one of the youngest in his troop to have earned the rank of Eagle.

This summer, Nicholas looks forward to a 12-day high adventure trek at Philmont with his troop and to attending Aviation Challenge at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, where he has twice received the camp's highest honor – The Right Stuff Award. This award is given to an outstanding trainee who goes above and beyond in leadership, teamwork and technology throughout the week.

Nicholas is also a competitive swimmer and marksman, and an accomplished scholar and actor. He performed the lead in The Hill School Musical Fiddler on the Roof this fall.

In addition to the scouts and leaders at Troop 982, Nicholas also attributes achieving Eagle to the mentoring he found at The Hill School in Headmaster Treavor Lord and teacher Jack Bowers since Kindergarten. "They were models of the scout creed from the beginning," he said, "and are a constant reminder to me that some of the most influential people lead quietly from the rear with no title at all."

Nicholas will attend Loudoun County High School in the fall, where he will be active in the Navy's Junior ROTC program.