ILTexas Garland High School's Ansel Jones recently received the Grand Slam of National High Adventure Award, one of the rarest honors in U.S. Scouting! Fewer than 230 scouts earn this award each year, making it even rarer than becoming an Eagle Scout, which itself represents the pinnacle of achievement for thousands of scouts nationwide. Ansel has also previously earned that award! 

To earn the Grand Slam, Ansel completed all four of Scouting America’s High Adventure Bases over four summers: Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia, Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, Sea Base in Florida, and Northern Tier in Minnesota. Along the way, he completed service projects building trails, backpacked rugged terrain, scuba dived, and paddled and portaged more than 200 miles along the U.S.–Canadian border, finishing in Lake Superior.

Ansel’s achievement reflects the ILTexas mission of fostering servant leadership, academic excellence, and global readiness. At ILTexas, students are encouraged to pursue challenges that build perseverance, leadership, and real-world skills. Ansel’s commitment to service, adventure, and pushing himself beyond boundaries mirrors these values, showing how ILTexas students can apply determination and leadership both inside and outside the classroom.

Check out a video of Ansel's adventures here: