Troop 171 claims 53 Eagles
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Eagle Scout is a distinction only a select few Boy Scouts attain each year nationwide. Such has been the case in Presque Isle, with just over 50 Scouts achieving the title over the past three-quarters of a century.
“Presque Isle has had at least 53 Eagle Scouts, dating back to 1932,” said Tom Peary, leader, Troop 171. “William Haskell was the first on record in Presque Isle, achieving the title on Nov. 20, 1932.”
Perry provided a list of Troop 171’s Eagle Honor Roll. In addition to Haskell, those recognized and the date they received the honor are as follows: Oct. 14, 1938 — Alvin Weinberg; Dec. 19, 1940 — Roland Garland; Dec. 27, 1949 — James Lyford and Edward Lyons; Feb. 11, 1954 — Gordon Hemphill; Nov. 6, 1954 — Dennis Halloran; Feb. 17, 1955 — Frank Moran; Dec. 19, 1960 — Norman Cooney; Jan. 20, 1962 — Peter Pelon; Dec. 19, 1962 — Terry Cooney; April 8, 1963 — Jeffrey Hemphill, Robert Jackman and Steven Mosher; June 11, 1963 — Terrance Estey and David Smith; May 12, 1965 — Steven Allen, William Green, Ray Hews, Bruce Smith and William Sunday; Dec. 21, 1966 — Fernald Garland; Dec. 8, 1969 — Terry McPherson; April 21, 1971 — Leslie Gardner; March 1, 1972 — Randy McPherson; Nov. 14, 1973 — Keith Pelkey, Robbie Smith and Scott Smith; Dec. 10, 1973 — Frank Allen; Sept. 30, 1979 — Paul Kouyoumjian; Aug. 12, 1980 — Kent Pelkey; Aug. 18, 1983 — Allen York; Aug. 29, 1984 — William Buzza; Sept. 30, 1986 — John Lloyd; Nov. 23, 1986 — Travis Norsworthy and Paul Smeltzer; Jan. 9, 1987 — Aaron Buzza and Chris Campbell; May 7, 1990 — Tim McMahon; July 9, 1991 — David Hammond and Robbie Loder; Oct. 29, 1991 — Karl Dampf; Nov. 20, 1991 — Praveen Prasanna; June 24, 1992 — Owen McMahon; Aug. 28, 1993 — Paul Knowles; Dec. 12, 1995 — Shawn Berry; March 30, 1996 — Prasanth Prasanna; Oct. 12, 1999 — Louis Finemore and Michael Jandreau; Dec. 21, 1999 — Jonathan Sampson; June 12, 2001 — Dale Chelewski; Sept. 18, 2002 — Nick Dyer; and March 27, 2007 — Alex R. Willette.
According to Scouts of America Scoutsource, located online at www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/AdvancementandAwards/eagle.aspx, there are a number of requirements that must be met to achieve the honor. They include:
• Be active in your troop, team, crew or ship for a period of at least six months after you have achieved the rank of Life Scout;
• Demonstrate that you live by the principles of the Scout Oath and Law in your daily life. List the names of individuals who know you personally and would be willing to provide a recommendation on your behalf, including parents/guardians, religious, educational and employer references;
• Earn a total of 21 merit badges (10 more than you already have);
• While a Life Scout, serve actively for a period of six months in one or more of the following positions of responsibility: Boy Scout troop patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader, troop guide, Order of the Arrow troop representative, den chief, scribe, librarian, historian, quartermaster, junior assistant Scoutmaster, chaplain aide, or instructor; Varsity Scout team captain, co-captain, program manager, squad leader, team secretary, Order of the Arrow team representative, librarian, quartermaster, chaplain aide, instructor, or den chief; or Venturing crew/ship president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, boatswain, boatswain’s mate, yeoman, purser or storekeeper;
• While a Life Scout, plan, develop and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, any school or your community. (The project should benefit an organization other than Boy Scouting.) The project plan must be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort, your Scoutmaster and Troop Committee and the council or district before you start. You must use the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook, BSA publication No. 512-927, in meeting this requirement;
• Take part in a Scoutmaster conference; and
• Successfully complete an Eagle Scout board of review.
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Cyr
THE ANNUAL PINEWOOD DERBY for Pack 171 of Presque Isle was held Jan. 31 at the Presque Isle Wesleyan Church. After some delays due to software glitches, 18 Scouts raced and all seemed to have a good time. The pack would like to thank the Presque Isle Wesleyan Church for letting it hold the derby there, members of the local auto club for the donation of the trophies, and to all the adults who helped out in the many different areas. Thank you all. The top four racers will have the opportunity to race on Saturday, Feb. 27, at the North Star District race at the Aroostook Centre Mall. Pictured, in front, from left: Chase Quirion, fourth place; Brandon Woodsworth; Logan Cray; Mason Young, third place; and Garrett Morneault, first place. Middle row, from left: Jacob Foster, Chance Bragan, Riley Roderick, Adam Woodsworth and Chandler Paradis. Back row, from left: Caleb Adams; T.J. Lovely; Trace Cyr; Alex Harvath; Alex Jordon; James Bell, second place; Issac Demerchant; and Gage Young.
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Cyr
MEMBERS OF TROOP 171, of Presque Isle, who took part in Winterama festivities Feb. 13 include, in front, from left: Chris Marquis, Dylan Shaw and David Cyr. In back, from left: John Freeman, Chris Stepp, David Hunter, Caleb Hunter and Jimmy Stepp.
