Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The Eagle Scout badge is not given lightly by the Boy Scouts of America.
Yet, 16 Kosciusko County Scouts earned the "Be Prepared" badge in 2005.
The Eagle Scout rank is the highest advancement rank in Scouting.
Young men from seven troops in the Lincolnway District of the Anthony Wayne Area Council were recognized Feb. 7 at a luncheon in Fort Wayne. The Kosciusko County boys comprised nearly 20 percent of the 97 total Eagles honored.
The local Scouts gave more than 1,200 hours painting, building, planting or restoring community projects.
The Scouts and their Eagle Scout projects are:
Justin Perry, Mentone, Troop 777 - built three information stations and placed them in the Potawatomi Wildlife Park.
Francisco Pioquinto, Warsaw, Troop 776 - helped fingerprint children at Jefferson Elementary School, Winona Lake, along with local police officers to create identification cards.
Tyler Wear, North Webster, Troop 726 - built a 6- to 10-foot wide, 1/4-mile long trail behind North Webster Elementary School.
Jacob Patton, Winona Lake, Troop 715 - removed trees and brush to make trails walkable for elementary school students.
Kyle Wright, Warsaw, Troop 761 - repainted four Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church signs.
Karl Campbell, Warsaw, Troop 819 - replaced a bridge and dug out and repaired a section of trail for the Winona Lake Trails Association.
Stefan Ludlow, Leesburg, Troop 776 - built a 10-by-20-by 3-1/2 foot flower bed for the Warsaw Tiger Football Field.
Eric Hoover, Winona Lake, Troop 715 - added a porch to the log cabin at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds and cleaned up the adjoining building.
Raymond Pfhal III, Warsaw, Troop 715 - landscaped in front of Redeemer Lutheran Church.
Mark Simmons, Milford, Troop 728 - cleaned and repainted bleachers at Wawasee High School.
Daniel Barr, Pierceton, Troop 761 - erected two signs for Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church.
Toby Lamp, Leesburg, Troop 730 - cleaned Pleasant Grove Cemetery and replaced World War I , World War II and GAR markers and a military headstone.
Brent Napier, Syracuse, Troop 728 - landscaped the entrance to Washington Township Community park.
Ryan Dunithan, Syracuse, Troop 728 - replaced the folding staircase and painted at Syracuse Church of God.
Steven Hodges, Warsaw, Troop 715 - landscaped the north side of the Warsaw Police Department.
Richard Pawlicki, Syracuse, Troop 728 - landscaped the Day Care Center at Lakeland Community Services.
Eagle Scout candidates must fulfill requirements in the areas of leadership, service and outdoor skills.
Beginning as a Tenderfoot, Scouts advance through the troop as Second Class, First Class, Star, Life and Eagle Scout. Each rank requires specific skills and tests. Merit badges are awarded for each achievement.
