Robert Blum, Michael Krajci, John Hutchins, and Jacob Rea from Boy Scout Troop 10 successfully worked through the issues brought on by the COVID-19 outbreak to achieve Scouting’s highest rank of Eagle Scout. Navigating the challenges of executing their Eagle Projects during the pandemic proved to be a feat of grit, planning, and leadership where numerous life lessons were learned.
The Scouts were honored on May 2nd, 2021 at VFW Post 6393 in Yardley where many local politicians and other honored guests were in attendance. They addressed the Scouts with meaningful words of wisdom and heartfelt congratulations.
Robert Blum of Langhorne, refurbished a 25-foot wooden cross hanging on the front of Woodside Presbyterian Church building and also removed lower branches from approximately 10 trees that obstructed the view of the church. Refurbishing the cross required several sessions of power washing and staining, while three truckloads of branches were removed from the trees. Bobby learned that the most important thing about leading is empowering others to take on various roles to accomplish the overall task. In the fall, Bobby will attend Georgia Institute of Technology where he will major in Computer Science and play lacrosse.
Michael Krajci of Yardley, elected to construct a garden at the Lower Makefield Township Community Center for his Eagle Scout project. He worked closely with the Lower Makefield Township Parks and Recreation Board to ensure that this project met their needs in addition to meeting governmental requirements. Michael’s most memorable part of the project was when he found out that there would be a bike path going through the garden. Michael’s advice to younger scouts is to take advantage of every opportunity offered by Troop 10 and he promises that they will not be disappointed. Michael will be attending Purdue University in the fall to pursue a degree in Professional Flight.
Jacob Rea of Yardley, chose to install a stone pathway and two benches in the back of the cemetery at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in memoriam for his late grandparents John and Cheryl Sherrard. The pathway and the benches are meant to serve a beginning of a memorial garden for prayer and meditation. Jacob has been a parish member of St. Andrew’s for 10 years and was glad to give back to a family that has supported him for the majority of his life. Through Scouting and being in a leadership positions, Jacob learned how difficult it is to lead at times, but he enjoyed being a constructive force in the lives of the younger Scouts around him. Jacob will be a senior at Pennsbury next year where he will be the upcoming drum major of the Pennsbury High School Marching Band.
During the Court of Honor ceremony, each of the four new Eagle Scouts had a few minutes to express their gratitude to their Scoutmaster Mickey Ingles and former Scoutmaster Chris Janzen along with Becky Bewtra who coordinated the Eagle Court of Honor and other leaders for all of their support and help. They also shared amusing anecdotes, and stories of their many adventures throughout the course of their years in Scouting.
Attendees included: Reverend Doctor Doug Houglund, Reverend Hilary Greer, State Senator Steve Santarsiero, State Representative (Middletown) Frank Farry, Assistant District Commissioner Washington Crossing Council Russ Kanter, Field Director Washington Crossing Council Andrew Nam, Marine Corps League Representative Gus Cales, field representative for Congressman Brian Fitzpatick – Ryan Oyster, outreach specialist for Senator Robert Tomlinson – Nick Diasio, State Representative (Lower Makefield Township) Perry Warren, Chair Lower Makefield Township – Fredric Weiss, John Lewis Supervisor for Lower Makefield Township, and Chairperson Middletown Township Supervisors Tom Tosti.
PHOTO CAPS: 1. From left, Jacob Rea, Michael Krajci, and Robert Blum.
2. John Hutchins