Cedric Battle joined Troop 77 of the Boy Scouts of America when he was 15 years old. That left him a relatively short amount of time to receive plenty of ranks and badges, considering a Boy Scout career ends at age 18.

However, on Saturday, the Spalding High School senior completed a community service project that will likely earn him his Eagle Scout badge, the highest honor for a Boy Scout.

Battle coordinated the building of an outside performance stage at Jackson Road Elementary School while fellow Boy Scouts, friends and family members swung hammers, took measurements and carried building materials.

And although Battle got involved in these activities at times, too, the emphasis was on him overseeing the project.

“It’s more about directing,” Battle said of his role in the project. “You lead other Scouts.”

Prior to Saturday’s event, Battle collected supplies and donations from local businesses and then helped set concrete for the stage’s foundation.

“Cedric raised all the money. This is by far the most extensive (project) we have done,” said Greg Roche, Battle’s uncle and assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 77.

Roche, who got Battle involved with the Boy Scouts, is proud of his nephew’s accomplishment.

He said it’s difficult to earn an Eagle Scout badge in four years. Making it happen in three years “says a lot,” Roche said.

Next and last in Battle’s goal of earning his Eagle Scout badge is the board’s approval of his project.

Asked what becoming an Eagle Scout would mean to him, Battle didn’t have to think long.

“It means a lot. It shows you have ambition. You’re not lazy,” he said. “You don’t have to have an Eagle to be great. But it does help on the road to greatness.”