Two local teenagers completed the requirements for the coveted and highly respected Gold Medal of Achievement in the Royal Rangers. The honor is similar to the Eagle rank of the Boy Scouts of America.

T.J. Weaver and Paul Cooley, members of the Royal Rangers Outpost No. 29, a ministry of Northwest Family Church, will be awarded GMAs in a ceremony at the church Aug. 29.

Weaver joined the Royal Rangers in 2004 at Outpost No. 68 in San Antonio, Texas, and later joined Outpost No. 29 in Auburn in 2005. Weaver, 17, son of Ken and Sybille Weaver of Auburn, is a home-schooled student entering his senior year. 

In addition to Royal Rangers, Weaver is; active in Resonate (NFC’s youth group); is a Children’s Church sound technician; plays guitar for Resonates praise and worship team. In his spare time, Weaver has progressed to a “green” belt (with black stripe) in karate and is an “apprentice” Sea Scout sailing with the crew of the SSS Odyssey. Weaver plans to attend college and become a Coast Guard rescue helicopter pilot.

Cooley, son of Dave and Katy Cooley, grew up in Auburn before the family recently relocated to Raymond. He is pursuing a career in computer animation and enjoys various other forms of art, including music and storytelling.

Cooley has been a Royal Ranger since 2002

A merit-driven scout group for boys, the trail to the GMA requires commitment, perseverance and goal setting. Long hours are spent in study, trial and error, and achievement as the various merit badges and hours of service to community and church are completed.

The GMA is the single-highest award offered by the Royal Ranger Ministry. It is a medal of distinction and honor, and those who complete the stringent requirements to earn it are looked upon with the same type of respect as those who earn the rank of Eagle Scout.

Since 1964, when the first GMA was awarded, less than 1 percent of Royal Rangers have earned the medal.