Brandon Selig, a Northwestern Lehigh student, joined Cub Scout Pack 588, which met at Ebenezer Church, New Tripoli.

After completing Webelos and earning the Arrow of Light, he moved on to Boy Scout Troop 89, which meets at Ontelaunee Rod and Gun Club.

There, he was inspired by the first aid program.

Selig participated in first aid meets held by Minsi Trail Council.

Through Boy Scouting he also became a lifeguard, working first at private pools and then moving on to Dorney Park where he made 37 saves.

As an Eagle Scout project, he filled shoebox-sized boxes with little gifts for children at Hershey Children's Hospital.

The boxes are called Jared boxes and the project was begun in the 1990s by the mother of a boy named Jared who died of cancer.

Selig provided 200 boxes, the most the hospital ever received from one person.

He said the program was inspiring because his grandfather had cancer since 2007.

His grandfather was "one of those guys who always worked hard. I respected him. He was a big part of my life."

His board of review for Eagle Scout was held Nov. 5.

After approval, he will plan his Court of Honor.

"Seeing the skills involved made me want to improve my knowledge in health skills," he said.

He talked to his mother Karen's cousin, Jeff Bachman, who is an Emergency Medical Technician with the Lehighton Ambulance Corps.

They discussed the type of classes he would need to gain the same distinction.

Dave DeLong brought him to the Northern Valley Ambulance Corps where he volunteered until he was sure he wanted to take the EMT training for certification.

He quickly fell in love with the program and knew EMT was for him.

NOVA gave him a scholarship to attend the Emergency Medical Institute of Allentown, a six-month course.

During his training he continued to run with NOVA.

He attends Northwestern for the first three periods of the day and then goes to NOVA, which counts as a class.

Normally it is 1:30 to 3 p.m. but sometimes he stays longer.

He will spend time at NOVA even when it is not school connected.

NOVA has five trucks – two were at the ambulance building, one is housed in Slatington sharing space with the Slatington Fire Department, one is in Ohio for repairs and one was out on a call the day The Press visited.

There are two advanced life support technicians at NOVA from 6 a.m to midnight and one from midnight to 6 a.m.

Selig likes it quiet because if NOVA is quiet it is better for people in general.

He attends Union United Church of Christ in Neffs where he is a soundboard technician for church services and special programs.

He is a member of the youth advisory team which plans events to help keep youth active in the church.

A hiking trip is one of the group's recent events.

As a God Guide he helps lead confirmands through the steps toward confirmation.

He lifeguards at Rodale Aquatics, which is part of Cedar Crest College, and works at Subway where his job is called a "sandwich artist," a designation he detests.

Selig was a member of the Sheep andGoat Club and Beef and Dairy Beef Club in 4-H.

He is a member of the Leadership Club.

He had to sell his animals when he began taking classes but plans to replace them as soon as he is able.

After high school he will attend college for critical care nursing, but will continue as a pre-hospital registered nurse with the ambulance corps.