New Eagle Scouts
Troop 4 recently held an Eagle Court at St. Louise de Marillac Church in Upper Saint Clair. New Eagle Scout Charles Timothy Schuck Jr. was recognized by family and friends for attaining the highest rank of the Boy Scouts. The last and most difficult challenge for a Scout is his Eagle Project, a community-based improvement proposal of which the Scout is responsible for all aspects of the project, including planning, fundraising, volunteer recruitment, implementation and final presentation and approval by a board of review. Charles’ project benefited the St. Louise football organization. He refurbished a mobile two-tier metal announcer’s stand used during the school’s football games. He developed and implemented a plan to remove rust, repainted the structure, put skid-resistant strips on the steps, and cleaned the interior of the announcer’s area. Charles received letters of recognition and congratulations from national, state and local dignitaries. Eugene Eckman of B.P.O.E. Lodge 2213 in Bethel Park presented Charles with two framed awards, a personal size U.S. flag, and a gold lapel pin. Pictured with Charles are, from left, B.P.O.E. representative Eugene Eckman, Charles’ parents, Chuck Schuck and Sharon Reese; and Troop 4 Scoutmaster Tom O’Brien.
Troop 23
Two young men from the South Hills recently achieved the pinnacle level of Boy Scout advancement. Jonanthan Savko and Adam Kenawell were each awarded their Eagle Scout medals at ceremonies (called a Court of Honor) in Dormont and Bridgeville respectively.
Reaching the rank of Eagle requires drive and perseverance; fewer than 4% of Boy Scouts ever achieve the rank of Eagle. Through the advancement process, Eagle candidates are engaged in a variety of life skill training events and hands-on experiences. Each candidate must complete a community service project. Jonathan led a group of volunteers to install a 90 ft. protective fence and an informational sign in front of a vernal pool which provides habitat for wood frogs; additionally, they built a bench overlooking a waterfall. Adam’s project also involved organizing a team of volunteers. In this case, they removed some old decaying structures and built a general use aesthetic fire pit which is being enjoyed by several different groups.
Eagle Scout Courts of Honor are attended by family, friends, other scouts and various civic organizations. Among these organizations is the South Hills Elks. The core values of the Elks align well with the core values of scouting and as such, the Elks have maintained a supportive relationship with the Boy Scouts for over 80 years.