Eagle Scout Ceremony Held For FourScout Troop 715 recently held a formal Eagle Court of Honor at Trinity United Methodist Church on East Center Street.
The presentation of the colors was conducted by members of Troops 715 and 782. Lillian Price led the pledge of allegiance and Nicolas Balbuena-Kline led the Scout oath and law. Troop 715 Scoutmaster Richard McCleary welcomed the attending crowd. The invocation was presented by Andy Ybarra, the troop chaplain.
The Courts Eagle Honor Guard was introduced by McCleary and they consisted of Rick McCleary (Eagle 1982 – Troop 715), the Scoutmaster’s oldest son, and Devin McCleary (Eagle 2016 - Troop 107 of Westfield), the Scoutmaster’s oldest grandson.
The honor guard individually presented the Eagle candidates: Chris Cook with 39 Merit Badges (son of Danielle Randall), and Ariel Herrera with 48 Merit Badges (son of Brenda Sanchez), both of Troop 715.
From Troop 782 were Ashton Irwin with 32 Merit Badges (son of Don and Shirley Irwin) and Blake Taylor with 36 Merit Badges (son of Ben and Courtney Taylor).
Winona Town Marshal Joe Hawn introduced the ceremony’s guest speaker, Indiana State Rep. Craig Snow, who spoke of what a great achievement it was to earn Scouting’s highest rank.
The Eagle Scout Award was pinned on each of the new Eagles by Hawn and Scott McClintock.
McCleary then introduced Lincolnway District Eagle Chairman Ken Locke who gave the “Eagle Charge.”
Anita Kline read the “Eagle Mom’s Poem.”
Finishing the ceremony, the new Eagle Scouts presented their parents with Eagle Scout pins.
A reception was then held downstairs.
Scoutmaster Richard McCleary has now mentored 117 Eagle Scouts between 1977 and 2022.
