Isaac Pennock, a senior at Parkersburg Christian School, recently earned his Eagle Scout award. He said Scouting has taught him communication skills and how to be a better student. (Photo courtesy of Melanie Lamb Photography)

PARKERSBURG — A Scout is always prepared.

For Isaac Timothy Pennock, 18, that means learning and being ready for what comes his way.

A senior at Parkersburg Christian School, Pennock recently earned Eagle Scout rank, something only 2% of Scouts accomplish.

“Scouts has taught me how to communicate better and how to be a better citizen,” he said, adding he’s developed a number of skills from first aid to camping. “It also taught me how to do a number of life skills that are very important, like swimming.”

He is the son of Daniel and Judy Pennock and brother of Sam.

Daniel and Judy Pennock and their son Isaac during Isaac’s recent Court of Honor where he received his Eagle Scout award as part of Troop 12 in Parkersburg. Pennock has been involved in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts since 2014. (Photo Provided)

Shortly after Pennock was born, he developed an arachnoid cyst near his brain. The fluid build-up caused him some issues early on that required surgeries to correct. Happening at such an early age, some of the early development that most people take for granted took longer for him.

However, those early setbacks did not hinder Pennock, as he has grown into someone who understands the importance of service to the community exemplified in Scouting. He scored high on his ACTs and qualified for the Promise Scholarship.

He was recently accepted at West Virginia University at Parkersburg where he plans to earn an associate of applied science degree in computer and information technology. This will allow him to stay close to home and his family.

“After that, I will figure something out,” he said of his future plans. He might like to go into IT work like his father.

Pennock joined Cub Scout Pack 12 in 2014 and worked his way up though the Bobcat, Wolf, Bear and Webelo ranks, also earning his Arrow of Light, the highest award in Cub Scouts. He went on to join Troop 12 where he earned the ranks of Scout, Tenderfoot, Second-Class, First-Class, Star, Life and eventually Eagle. He has also served as the troop librarian, quartermaster, scribe and a den chief (a Boy Scout who is regularly involved with and helps a younger group of Cub Scouts).

Isaac Pennock at Camp Kootaga over the past summer, where he shows his Swimmer buddy tag. Pennock had to get extra help, through a coach, to be able to meet the requirements for his Swimming merit badge, one of the required badges for him to reach the rank of Eagle Scout. (Photo Provided)

During his time in Scouts, Pennock earned 36 merit badges, including Archery, Farm Mechanics, Electricity, Mammals, Leather Work, First Aid, Personal Management, Art, Soil and Water Conservation, Fingerprinting, Swimming among others.

He enjoyed doing the Nuclear Science merit badge and said Environmental Science and Camping were “memorable.”

Swimming required extra work.

“The challenge I faced was that I needed to complete a swim test that consisted of swimming three lengths of the pool in a forward swim and then one length in a back swim,” he said. “The first attempt was unsuccessful, but with the help of a swimming coach, I was able to complete the swimming test which allowed me to complete the rest of the merit badge requirements.”

Swimming is the badge required to become an Eagle Scout.

Isaac Pennock, a senior at Parkersburg Christian School, has been learning how to play piano for the last couple of years. He enjoys playing music from movies, video games and holiday related tunes. (Photo Provided)

Every Scout wanting to earn their Eagle rank has to participate in a service project that betters their community. For his project, Pennock took charge of building two benches, fixing a small bridge and replacing two spindles on a porch at Parkersburg Christian School. He led a group of five Scouts from his troop to do the project.

In addition to Scouts, Pennock likes to play video games, build Lego models (especially those related to Star Wars), play piano, do computer coding and more.

He has been playing piano for two years and is fond of playing music from movies, video games and holiday related tunes. He is a fan of John Williams, who composed all the music for “Star Wars.”

“I like playing songs that sound nice,” Pennock said.

He and his family attend North Parkersburg Baptist Church and he’s been involved there his whole life, with the Awana Club children and youth ministry from kindergarten to fifth grade. The kids help with outreach ministries in the community.

Isaac Pennock, a senior at Parkersburg Christian School, with his cat of 10 years, Gracie. Pennock said he is the only one in his family the cat seems to tolerate. (Photo Provided)

As a Scout is supposed to be helpful, he has volunteered at the Friendship Kitchen at North in the past, serving food to those in need.

“It is important to society,” Pennock said of the need to help others. “(The Friendship Kitchen) is a very good thing for this community to have.

“It is helpful to help others.”

He has also helped his mother with setting up for the Walk for Life fundraiser at City Park to benefit the Women’s Care Center. He’s assisted in the nursery at the church and more.

“My faith in God is the most important aspect of my entire life, and I couldn’t have gotten as far as I have without Him,” Pennock said in a letter he wrote about himself as he was applying to become an Eagle Scout. “I know that with God’s help, my future will prosper.”

Isaac Pennock of Troop 12 in Parkersburg at Camp Kootaga in 2023, where he won the Best Shot Award in archery. Pennock recently earned his Eagle Scout award and credits Scouting with helping him develop a lot of skills. (Photo Provided)

Pennock likes traveling. He has been to Washington, D.C.; Disney World, twice; Pittsburgh, New York City; Chicago; and Phoenix. He is planning to go to Tennessee in May as part of a school trip for a competition that covers a wide range of events, including track and field, basketball, volleyball, photography, writing, art, Bible knowledge and more.

He has a goal of eventually visiting all 50 states.

His pride and joy has been his cat, Gracie, who the family has had for over 10 years.

“A friend of my mom’s gave her to us,” Pennock said. “She seems to tolerate me the most of all my family members.

“When we go on trips, the first thing I do when we get back is look for her.”

As Pennock looks to the future, he feels Scouts really laid the groundwork for him to be a more well-rounded person in trying new things and pushing himself to improve.

“I’ve been involved in Scouts for most of my life,” he said. “It has helped me understand more about leadership and how to work as part of a team, which will help me in the future beyond high school.

“It has also taught me outdoor etiquette and has pushed me outside of my comfort zone. It’s sad that I’m now too old to be a Scout, but it was a fun and challenging journey along the way.”

Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com

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Isaac Pennock, a senior at Parkersburg Christian School, is active at his church, North Parkersburg Baptist. He is planning to attend West Virginia University at Parkersburg in the fall where he will pursue an associate of applied science degree in computer and information technology. (Photo Provided)

Isaac Pennock of Troop 12 in Parkersburg recently earned his Eagle Scout award. Pennock has earned 36 merit badges covering a variety of skills and fields. Only about 2% of Scouts reach the rank of Eagle. (Photo Provided)