OREM — Eagle Scouts, scouts on the trail to Eagle and many supporters of the scouting program from across the region gathered at Utah Valley University Thursday night to honor those who have achieved the high rank of scouting, the Eagle Scout.

At an event dubbed as a “Celebration of Eagles” more than a thousand people gathered at the university’s basketball arena, which was decorated to represent a scout summer camp, to honor the award of Eagle in song and dance.

The event began as a choir made up of Cub and Boy Scouts sang the national anthem and later performed a scout-themed song entitled “On My Honor.” An octet of male members from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir also performed two numbers during the evening.

The Utah National Parks Council also awarded a number of accolades at the event as four Distinguished Eagle awards were announced and over 40 outstanding Eagle awards were also given out. The awards are given to Eagle Scouts who have been deemed by the council to have done extraordinary acts to live up to the scout oath throughout their lives.

Recipients of the Distinguished Eagle award included former NFL football star Chad Lewis, BYU chemistry professor Milton Lee, businessman Ron Mika, and nuclear engineering scientist Dee Walker. Those awarded the outstanding Eagle distinction included current Utah Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox, artist Eric Dowdle, and commercial real estate leader Brandon Fugal.

Eagle Scout Tyler Christensen, from troop 1282 in Saratoga Springs, said he came out to the event because he wanted to show support for his fellow Eagles. Christensen said earning his rank of Eagle was important to him because those he looked up to had earned theirs before him. He said was grateful for their example.

“It means a lot to me,” Christensen said about earning his Eagle rank.

This was the first ever Celebration of Eagles.

A number of local dignitaries were in attendance at the program. Provo Mayor John Curtis attended, as he was the chairman for the organization of the program. House Speaker Becky Lockhart, R-Provo, also was in the audience.

Larry M. Gibson, 1st counselor in the Young Men General Presidency for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was also on hand as he presented the Distinguished Eagle Awards.

Distinguished Eagle recipients:

Chad Lewis

Milton Lee

Ron Mika

Dee Walker

Outstanding Eagle recipients:

Jeff Acerson

Steven G. Allred

Howard K. Bangerter

Sid P. Bastian

Ramon P. Beck

Richard V. Beesley

Van S. Broderick

Bruce E. Brown

Ross H. Cole

Spencer J. Cox

Eric Dowdle

L. Dean Egbert

Jacob Enslen

James T. Evans

Bruce C. Frandsen

Brandon D. Fugal

Bart T. Gardiner

Spencer P. Gillespie

Terry L. Grant

Russell D. Gunther

Bruce R. Hiskey

Hal Holmstead

Dale H. Larkin

Daril D. Magleby

Lee L. Monroe

Lloyd D. Newell

Orrin Olsen

Wayne W. Probst

Theodore R. Rempp

Kipp M. Robins

M. Moreno Robins

Aaron M. Robinson

Greg M. Rosenvall

Lon W. Sorenson

Mark R. Stoddard

B. Todd Stubbs

Michael C. Walch

James W. Walker

Codi F. White

Travis L. Wilcox

W. Vincent Wilding

James I. Withers