December 16, 2025
Two Prince George County students were recently honored by the Prince George County School Board for reaching the rank of Eagle Scout within the Boy Scouts of America.
Joshua McPeak, a lifelong resident of Prince George County, is currently a senior attending Appomattox Regional Governor’s School, and Matthew Norris, a senior at Prince George High School, were recognized alongside family and friends during the school board’s end-of-year business meeting on December 15, 2025. The pair now joins a distinguished group of over two million young men who have earned the Boy Scouts of America’s highest honor, which requires dedication to their troops and community, earning the required merit badges, completing their Eagle Scout service project, and passing their Eagle Scout Board of Review.
About Joshua McPeak
On August 28, 2025, Joshua McPeak completed his Eagle Board of Review and was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout by the Boy Scouts of America, in the Heart of Virginia Council. His official pinning ceremony took place on December 13, 2025, at Gregory Memorial Presbyterian Church.
McPeak started his Scouting career as a Tiger Cub in Pack 910, where he progressed through the ranks prior to earning his Arrow of Light in 2018, the same year he crossed over to Boy Scout Troop 900.
McPeak has served as Scribe, Chaplain’s Aide (four times), Patrol Leader (Raven Patrol), Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and Senior Patrol Leader (on two separate occasions). McPeak earned the World Conservation Award in 2021. He attended and completed Buckskin Leadership training in 2023. He is well known to the congregation of Gregory Memorial Presbyterian Church for his sermons on Scout Sunday over the last three years. McPeak has completed 25 merit badges and has contributed many hours of volunteer service to the community. He was voted in as a member of the Order of the Arrow in 2023. McPeak currently holds no role within Troop 900 as he will be aging out in the near future. However, he continues to advise and assist the younger scouts when he can.
His Eagle project focused on acquiring and providing supplies and duffel bags for use by the Prince George County Department of Social Services. These bags were filled with essential items such as blankets, toiletries, socks, flashlights, pens, pencils, and journals. The bags are stored at the county Social Services office for use when placing foster children, whether in an emergency or not, so that each child has not only basic necessities but also something to call their own. McPeak and his volunteers assembled 22 complete bags and donated the remaining miscellaneous supplies to the Department of Social Services for use.
About Matthew Norris
On September 29, 2025, Norris completed his Eagle Board of Review and was awarded the Eagle Scout rank by the Boy Scouts of America, in the Heart of Virginia Council. His official pinning ceremony will take place on May 16, 2026, at VFW Post 637 in Hopewell, Virginia.
Norris started his Scouting career as a Cub Scout in Pack 900, where he progressed through the ranks of Bobcat, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos I. When he moved to Webelos II in the fifth grade, he earned the Arrow of Light award, Cub Scouting’s highest award. After earning the Arrow of Light Award, he crossed over to Boy Scouts, beginning his journey with Troop 900 in Prince George County. He also served in Troop 101 in Colonial Heights before joining Troop 2877 in Chester, Virginia.
Norris has served in numerous leadership roles during his scouting years, including Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Quartermaster, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and Troop Guide. He has earned fifty-four merit badges and received several prestigious honors, including the World Conservation Award, Angler Award, National Outdoor Award, and the 50-Miler Award. Norris also completed National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) and Buckskin Training, later returning to NYLT as a staff member. His scouting experiences include camps in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee, attendance at the World Jamboree, and two Philmont treks at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico, experiences he described as “life changing.” He is also a member of the Order of the Arrow and sealed his brotherhood with the Nawakwa Lodge.
Norris’ Eagle Project benefited the VFW Post 637 in Hopewell, Virginia. He built a walking trail and built benches that are located on the fishing dock and along the trail at their recreational property located off Hines Road in Prince George, Virginia.
Norris has been a member of the Prince George High School Chamber Choir for three years, as well as the Prince George High School DoBros for three years. He participated in the All-District Choir and attended the Virginia All-State Choir in 2024. After graduation, Norris plans to take a gap year to decide whether to enter the workforce or begin undergraduate study in either music education or conservation science.
Prince George County Public Schools and the Prince George County School Board congratulate Joshua and Matthew, their families, and their troops on this amazing accomplishment.