Vernon - Ever since he was a young boy, Kevin Grice has wanted to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in scouting, just like his father did before him. Grice also enjoys sports, but still has remained focused over the years on his Boy Scout goal of being an Eagle Scout. He will be honored at a special Court of Honor ceremony where he will receive his rank advancement to Eagle, at 2 p.m., Nov. 5, at St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Hamburg. For his Eagle Scout project, he refurbished the old worn-out playground at St. Jude’s. Grice enlisted the help of people from the church and troop, and obtained donations of cash, material, and physical labor. The project took about 200 work hours to complete over a nine month period, with Grice delegating tasks to the group of volunteers. The most challenging task, he said, was shoveling and moving 12 tons of pea stones down a hill to the playground. After the project was completed, the community expressed its thanks for Grice’s accomplishment. He is still an active member of Troop 283, Vernon, which is sponsored by the Pochung Valley Fire Department. He has also filled many duties in the troop, including librarian and senior patrol leader along the eagle trail. He has earned 33 merit badges. Grice is currently a freshman at St. John’s University, Jamaica, N.Y., where he is majoring in business.