Five Scouts from local troops have earned the Eagle Scout Award, the highest award in Scouts BSA. Wesley Bonner, Gavin Bonner, Matthew Johnson, and Ben Patterson from Troop 25 in East York, as well as Anthony "AJ" Kalligonis from Troop 49 in Hellam all received their awards from Troop 25 Scoutmaster Perry Bevivino and Troop 49 Scoutmaster George Gayman during Troop 25's Court of Honor held on Feb. 25. To become an Eagle Scout, a Scout must earn at least 21 merit badges, hold various leadership positions within his troop, and complete a service project.
Wesley, son of Kenneth and Diane Bonner, repaired the south observation deck at Rocky Ridge Park. He led fellow Scouts and adults in replacing, sanding, and staining wooden boards as well as installing a wheelchair ramp for a total of 130 man hours. Starting out as a Tiger Cub, Wesley has been a Scout for 10 years and has earned 29 merit badges. Wesley is a sophomore at York Catholic High School and plans to attend college to study dermatology.
Gavin, son of Kenneth and Diane Bonner, renovated an observation deck at Richard Nixon County Park. He led fellow Scouts and adults in replacing, sanding, and staining wooden boards as well as installing several benches on the deck for a total of 119 man hours. Starting out as a Tiger Cub, Gavin has been a Scout for 10 years and has earned 29 merit badges. Gavin is a sophomore at York Catholic High School and plans to attend college to study engineering.
Matthew, son of Steve and Jane Johnson, renovated three picnic table-style structures at William H. Kain Park at the Lake Redman Activity Area. He led fellow Scouts and adults in removing the existing deteriorated base and all the bricks from the foundation, leveling and securing the benches and the roof, reframing the bases, and replacing the bricks with leveled-out stone for a total of 85 man hours. Starting out as a Tiger Cub, Matthew has been a Scout for 10 years and has earned 24 merit badges. Matthew is a junior at Central York High School and plans to attend college.
Ben, son of Jeff and Kelly Patterson, built two canopy-covered picnic table-style structures at Rocky Ridge Park. He led fellow Scouts and adults in drilling post holes, assembling the wooden tables and canopies, and installing the structures where the York County Parks Department specified for a total of 216 man hours. Starting out as a Tiger Cub, Ben has been a Scout for 12 years and has earned 29 merit badges. Ben is a senior at Central York High School and hopes to attend Millersville University to study elementary and secondary education.
AJ, son of Jerry Kalligonis and Melanie Gardner, built new kayak racks at William H. Kain Park at the Lake Redman Activity Area. He led fellow Scouts and adults in assembling and installing the structures where the York County Parks Department specified with nearly 200 man hours. Starting out as a Tiger Cub, AJ has been a Scout for 10 years, has earned 40 merit badges, and is a member of the Order of the Arrow. AJ is a sophomore at Dallastown Area High School and hopes to attend Penn State University.
All the newly recognized Eagle Scouts thanked their parents, their respective Scoutmasters, and fellow Scouts for their help in completing their projects and their Eagle requirements. In recognition of their achievements, each received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Rep. Scott Perry and an American flag that had flown over the United States Capitol.
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