Does Boy Scouts of America (BSA) expose and bring out inherent leadership skills or develop them? Maybe it's not an either/or proposition.

Through his involvement with BSA, Luke Oles has certainly explored the concept of leadership. It was that same leadership that helped Luke ascend to BSA's highest rank.

"I guess Boy Scouts helped me to realize I had good leadership capabilities and that I should use them," said Luke, a 16-year-old rising junior at Manheim Township High School. "I stood out because I said that I wanted to become one of the people to lead the troop. I think that's what made me a better leader, because people trusted me."

A member of BSA Troop 99, which meets at Highland Presbyterian Church, Luke officially became an Eagle Scout during a court-of-honor ceremony on June 10. Luke admitted he was a little nervous on his special day, partly because he had worked so hard over the last 11 years to get to that point.

"I've always wanted to become an Eagle Scout; it was always my goal," said Luke. "That day, I was very excited and a little anxious. But I was also proud to represent myself and my family."

"I think it's helped his awareness of the world and discover what's out there," said Luke's mom, Mary Beth Oles, of his involvement with BSA. "Troop 99 really gets these kids out and about. He's had different roles in the troop, and it's really helped his leadership skills. He's gained the respect of the younger kids. He's done a good job of working with the younger Scouts. It's really been a lot of fun for him too."

One of Luke's final steps leading up to attaining BSA's highest rank was the completion of his Eagle Scout project. Luke proposed, raised funds for, configured and oversaw plans to renovate and beautify a fellowship pavilion at his church, St. John Neumann, 601 E. Delp Road, Lancaster.

"For me, it was difficult asking for money," said Luke of the $4,000 he raised for the project. "It's tough to go in front of a large group of people. But I did pretty good, and my message got out there. With the Eagle Scout project, your fellow Scouts do it and you have to supervise it. That was tough for me because there was a lot of manual labor needed and I like manual labor."

After joining Cub Scouts at the age of 7, Luke became a Boy Scout when he was 11. Along the way, he earned 22 merit badges - 21 are required of an Eagle Scout - including ones in cooking and citizenship in society, two of his favorites.

"I feel like the trail up to Eagle Scout is what's important," said Luke, who's also the son of Mark Oles. "It shows you progressed and you learned skills needed for everyday life. I think the experiences have helped me become a better person. When I first joined Boy Scouts, I was a little overweight. I think it's helped me be more fit."

At Manheim Township High School, Luke competes on the cross-country, swim and track and field teams. Luke, who works as a lifeguard and enjoys traveling, hiking and camping, is currently considering a career in engineering or law or going into the military.

"I'm still looking to see if anything else interests me or stands out to me," said Luke. "But I feel like (becoming an Eagle Scout) will help me be a better person in our society. One of my mottos is 'never back away from a challenge.' Even if you fail, you can learn from it."