When picking up a newspaper, or turning on the TV, it’s common to see or hear another story about teens that are making poor choices in their lives.

Jimmy Calow is the opposite, he is making good choices that benefit others. Calow, 16, of Goodland, was honored on March 1 as family and friends gathered to celebrate his achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.

An active sophomore at Lely High School, he excels in many areas. He is involved with JROTC, swim team, and junior varsity baseball, where he likes to play in the outfield. His height, of 6-feet-4-inches can be an asset.

Calow’s JROTC leader, Lt. Col. David Price, had nothing but praise when speaking about him.

“I thought I knew James very well,” said Lt. Col. David Price. “After attending a meeting held by the Son’s of the American Revolution, where they honored James, I found that there were lots of things I didn’t know.”

At that meeting, James was awarded the Bronze ROTC Medal in recognition of outstanding leadership qualities.

“That only broke the surface on what a great young man James is,” Price said. “He is an athlete, he’s respectful, a leader, and a good student. I have never seen volunteer work given the effort that James puts into it.”

Price gives credit to James’ parents, Sharon and Mike Calow.

“I am proud of what James has accomplished,” Price said. “In part, it can be attributed to his mom and dad. As a teacher of young people, I can tell when a child’s parents have given support and his parents certainly have done that.”

Calow’s Eagle Scout Project was an accomplishment that was appreciated by Collier Seminole State Park Ranger Chad Lach.

“We had issues of canoeists becoming lost in Mud Bay,” Lach said. “They would canoe out into Mud Bay and then couldn’t tell where they had came from. Without signs to mark the entrance to Black River, they didn’t know where to go.”

Calow planned out 13 miles of trails for canoeists. He then executed his plan by marking the trails and planting signs along the way.

“Every year we would have 14 or 15 canoeists get lost back in Mud Bay,” Lach said. “Now, no matter where you are, you can see the markers. Since Jim has marked the entrance and exit, we have had no one get lost. I’m glad that Jim and his family had the time and desire to complete the project.”

A former scout leader of Calow’s, Pat Schultz, flew in from Minnesota with his son to attend the award ceremony.

“I was Jim’s first scout leader when he started scouting in Albert Lea, Minnesota,” Schultz said. “Jim was willing to try anything,” said Schultz. “And he was always very excited to try something new. He would persist on every project and get it finished. He loved playing host to the other scouts at his parent’s campground. They had a golf cart that Jim used to show us around.”

The scouts had many of their camping experiences at the Calow campground.

“Sharon and Mike were very generous in letting us use the campground,” Schultz said. “They are part of Jim’s success. Sharon attended the meetings, always willing to help.”

When the time came for Calow to hand out the Mentor Pins, Schultz was surprised to hear that Calow had chosen him. Sharon was grateful that Schultz had been a mentor to her son.

“It is an honor to have you here today,” said Sharon. “What a great experience it has been for Jimmy to follow in the footsteps of another Eagle. You are proof of the saying, ‘Once an Eagle, always an Eagle.’ ”

Schultz’s son Alex, a Life Scout, has been Calow’s friend since second grade.

“As a friend, Jim and I had a good time,” Alex said. “We laughed a lot. We stay in touch, and I’m glad Jim still spends some time in Minnesota.”

The other Mentor Pin was given to Kerry Knudson, an assistant scoutmaster with Troop 234 of Marco Island.

“Kerry was always there for the boys at meetings, merit badges, driving, and camping,” said Sharon. “Kerry never complained about all the work loading up a group of boys, all their equipment and food, to venture out for the weekend or week. Thank you for the great memories.”

Knudson has a humble view of his role in Calow’s life.

“I thought it was very kind of Jimmy to give me the Mentor Pin,” Knudson said. “It’s gratifying to know that your time and effort paid off. “Speaking of time and effort, three meetings and one camp out every month does not turn a boy into a man. That was done at home with Sharon and Mike Calow. They have done an excellent job.”

Rick Grootvelt, Scoutmaster of Troop 234, read the Eagle Scout Oath. He then had some comments about Calow.

“Eagle candidate, James Calow, you are to be congratulated for reaching the highest peak of the Eagle Trail,” Grootvelt said. “Your diligence and hard work have paid off.”

Fellow Eagle Scout, Glenn Hatt, 18, participated in the ceremony by reciting scripture appropriate to the occasion, Isaiah, 40:31, which reads: “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar like Eagles, they will run and not grow weary, and they will walk and not be faint.”

“I met Jim through scouting,” Hatt said. “We hang out, we’re friends, and he’s a great guy. We’re always the ones who help the younger scouts, making sure they have what is needed.”

Other Eagle Scouts in attendance were twin brothers, Vincent and Joseph Giannone of Marco. These enterprising young men, who are now seniors at Lely High School, earned their Eagle Scout ranking by organizing and raising money to have a monument erected at the Marco Island Cemetery to honor U.S. veterans.

When talking with Calow’s parents, it’s no mystery why this young man excels. His parents made him the priority in their lives, giving up high paying, and successful careers for a simpler life.

“Sharon and I both had very good jobs when Jimmy was born,” Mike Calow said. “Then one day, we looked at each other and said, ‘We don’t want someone else raising our kid.’ It was then that we decided to sell everything, and live a life where we could be with our son.”

Sharon’s version is similar.

“Mike and I both worked and put ourselves through college,” Sharon said. “We spent the next 10 years building our careers with major corporations in the Chicago area.

“Once we held Jimmy in our arms, our priorities changed,” Sharon said. It was then that the Calows sold everything, bought a motor home, and spent the next 14 months traveling around the United States. They found a great location in Minnesota and settled there.

The summers were full of hard work, and long hours, but they were always together as a family. Sharon remembers the time she overheard Calow tell someone that his parents didn’t work, which is what he thought because they were always there with him.

“It was a great place to raise him,” Sharon said.

Calow was home schooled for many years. Eventually, they started spending more time in Florida, and when Calow reached high school age, they decided to send him to Lely High School. A decision they have been very happy about.

“Lely is a good school,” Mike said. “We are blessed that we found Lt. Col. Price. His integrity is solid, and he creates a wonderful environment for the kids.

“With Jimmy’s background in scouting, it was natural for him to slide into JROTC. They do lots of volunteer work.”

Mike goes on to praise the Lely experience.

“Lely gives the kids good exposure to the ways of the real world,” Mike said. “Lely is a melting pot, just like the United States. There are frustrations, of course, but you learn how to deal with it.”

Calow has lots of positive things to say about his school.

“I love my experiences at Lely High School,” Calow said. “Some people have put the wrong label on Lely. My teachers are great, and I’ve made lots of friends. If you go there, and do your thing, it’s a great school to go to. The principal, Mr. (Ken) Fairbanks, is funny, and really cool.” When Calow was choosing his classes, he decided to give JROTC a try. It’s a decision that he is glad he made.

“I decided that joining JROTC was the next step for me,” Calow said. “The other students are honest, hard-working people, and good friends. I made a decision to surround myself with people like that.”

Leadership is important to Calow, and his leader in JROTC has made a major impact on him.

“Lt. Col. Price is a great teacher, a great man, and an all-around good guy,” Calow said. “You can go to him with anything. He does not judge you, and he will be there for you, no matter what.”

Calow is a member of Lely’s swim team, under the leadership of coach Carl Kolling, a Golden Apple Award winner and Eagle Scout.

“I met James this year when he came out for swim team. He is doing extremely well. I’m looking forward to coaching James again next season,” Kolling said.

Calow is also looking forward to his next season with the swim team.

“This has been my first experience on a swim them,” Calow said. “The other swimmers all welcomed me to the team. We work hard, but we have lots of fun, and I like goofing around with my friends. Coach Kolling is a good coach. He encourages us to go that extra yard.”

Besides being in JROTC, he is currently a cadet in the Marco Island Civil Air Patrol, and has actively participated in 4-H for four years.”

Jimmy also talks with pride about his parents.

“It makes me proud to have dedicated, caring, loving parents like them,” Calow said. “I realize how much they love me. They gave up everything to spend time with me. It makes me feel loved, and I love them for that. I will always be there for them, like they were for me.”