Michael received numerous letters from local and national government officials and is a member of the prestigious Order of the Arrow.

Michael began scouting at the age of six as a Tiger Cub. He is now fourteen and one of the youngest in his troop to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. He is a member of troop 2222, here in Santa Clarita Valley. Michael was required to earn five prior Scouting ranks, a minimum of 21 merit badges and organized a service project for the community in order to earn the rank of Eagle.

For his service project, Michael organized a group of Scouts and volunteers to build rabbit hutches for a camp that brings underprivileged inner city families together to spend a summer vacation and build family skills. Over twenty volunteers helped with the project, which consisted of building two large hutches out of wood. Michael coordinated with local hardware and home improvement stores to get the materials donated. He publicized the event by making fliers and distributing them to several local Scout Troops and Cub Scout Packs.

Michael is an 8 th grader at Arroyo Seco Jr. High, where he is an honor student. He enjoys a wide range of interests such as playing in the school band, lacrosse, motorcycle riding, wakeboarding and snowboarding. Michael will be enrolling at Saugus High School in the fall, and upon graduation, wants to attend the University of Notre Dame.

Michael is the son of Willard and Kimberly Howard of Saugus.