John Register has achieved much success in his nearly 10 years in scouting, including one feat so rare, few will ever meet a Boy Scout who has accomplished it.

Register, 17, a student at Austin High School and member of Troop No. 122, has earned every merit badge possible — 121 in all.

After completing the difficult Backpacking and Nuclear Science badges about four months ago, Register, who attained the highest rank in scouting — Eagle — in 2002, can say he is a semi-expert in just about everything.

“I think scouts is important because it allows older and younger kids to improve their leadership skills,” he said.

To put Register’s accomplishment in perspective, a minimum of 21 merit badges are required to attain the rank of Eagle.

According to the Boy Scouts of America, only about 2 percent of scouts earn the Eagle rank. Paul Wilkinson, executive for the Twin Valley Council of Boy Scouts of America, said in his 25 years in scouting, he has only heard of a couple instances where scouts attained all 121 badges. Those statistics are not tallied by councils, Wilkinson said.

Register began as a Cub Scout at age 8, quickly moving up the ranks to become an Eagle Scout at an early age. He has since stayed involved with his troop and continued working on his merit badges.

His two most recent badges proved challenging, he said. Nuclear Science required, among other things, the study of fission.

“We can use fissioning for good things, but it can be used for bad things, like atomic bombs,” Register explained.

The other badge, Backpacking, was of his favorites.

“It’s a hard merit badge to get,” he said.

The badge required three three-day, two-night trips and one five-day, four-night trip. Register went backpacking on the Appalachian Trail and Isle Royale, an island in Lake Superior

Among others in the diverse repertoire are the Insect Study badge (he had to locate and identify bugs), and the Veterinary Medicine badge (he visited a veterinarian and watched surgeries).

Also recently, Register was named “VFW Scout of the Year,” a statewide honor bestowed upon an Eagle Scout in grades 9 through 12 who has made significant contributions to scouting.

In addition to his extensive work in scouting and earning extra credits in school, Register has been successful in tennis; Key Club, where he is running for lieutenant governor of his region; Future Farmers of America, who named him an Agriscience Star; and been involved with his faith, the Church of Jesus of Christ of Latter-day Saints. He will attend the American Legion Boy’s State in June.

Register said he enjoys his activities — particularly scouts — because they open up opportunities to meet new people, earn scholarships and develop leadership skills.

“It has helped me get jobs, and with applications,” he said.

Register, who will be a senior next year, said he plans to apply for a two-year mission trip with his church following graduation, and then attend college. He is still pondering a career choice.

“I still got time to figure it out,” he said.