Sam was honored at a Scout Court of Honor, attended by 100 scouts and their families Sept. 20. Ron Morgan, youth pastor of the Pasadena congregation, where Sam is a member, gave the benediction.

Sam’s Eagle project involved construction of a native plant nursery and restoration of a washed-out stream bank at the Eaton Canyon Natural Area in Pasadena. Sam earned 36 merit badges and two Christian religious medals through the national P.R.A.Y. (Programs of Religious Activities With Youths) program and has been involved with the community. He has more than 400 hours of volunteer service as a student naturalist at Eaton Canyon. In 2001, the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department named him Junior Naturalist of the Year, in recognition of his "dedicated service to the affairs of the community and for the civic pride demonstrated by numerous contributions for the benefit of all the citizens of Los Angeles county."

The certificate was signed by Michael Antonovich, supervisor, County of Los Angeles.

As Sam moved up the ranks of his scouting career he served in various leadership roles such as troop guide, patrol leader, senior patrol leader and junior assistant scout master.