A Court of Honor for Eagle Scout Wyatt Wright, son of David and Juliana Wright of East Earl, was held on Nov. 6 at Twin Valley Bible Church, Narvon. The accomplishment was the culmination of a journey that began in 2016 when Wyatt, an East Earl resident and member of Scout Troop 264, Mohnton, set his sights on the goal. Wyatt is a homeschool graduate and an aspiring pilot, who is looking forward to starting college next semester.
The speaker at the Court of Honor was 1st Lt. Patrick Cleburne McClary III, a retiree of the United States Marine Corps. McClary was the recipient of three Purple Hearts and was a Medal of Valor winner for serious injuries sustained in Vietnam.
Wyatt's Scoutmaster is Anthony Damato, and his assistant Scoutmaster is Keith Schmehl. Wyatt was also a member of Venture Crew 52 of Smoketown. He completed his Eagle Scout board of review on May 19, 2020, and he was the first in his troop to do so virtually. His Court of Honor was delayed by COVID-19 restrictions.
As a member of Scouts BSA, Wyatt garnered 21 merit badges, plus 16 more to earn his Gold, Silver, and Bronze Palms. He also earned his God and Life Award, was an Ordeal member of the Order of the Arrow, and served as troop scribe, assistant senior patrol leader, and senior patrol leader. He attended three Scout summer camps, and in 2018, he attended the organization's National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT). He was invited to return to NYLT to serve as a staff member in 2020.
Wyatt's Eagle Scout project was completed at Twin Valley Bible, where he attends church. He removed an old playground set from the grounds and replaced it with a Ninja Warrior playset, chosen by church leaders. The project, which took place in August and September of 2019, was completed by Wyatt with assistance from his father; his grandfather, Bob Wright; and friend Tom McNamara. "Before my project, there was planning and paperwork (concerning) equipment, manpower, time, money, and safety," recalled Wyatt. "The main thing I learned ... is that no matter how much you plan, no plan goes (according) to plan," he stated, referencing Proverbs 16:9, which reads, "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps."
Wyatt, who was homeschooled in association with TEACH and the Bethany Grace Co-op, graduated in the spring. He hopes to attend Geneva College in Beaver Falls in January to major in cybersecurity. In the meantime, Wyatt is studying for his pilot's license by taking lessons at Smoketown Airport, in hopes of eventually working as a commercial pilot. He notes that he is getting closer to completing his license requirements, but that a lot of his final testing is weather dependent. Wyatt is also a member of Civil Air Patrol Squadron 811, Reading.
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