The Scouter Digest Staff

Hiten Sharma, a Scout in NCAC’s Direct Service District who lives in Peru, recently completed his Eagle Scout Project. NCAC serves Scouts who have moved or live outside of the United States in North, Central, and South America, and the Caribbean. Hiten decided to team up with Aniquem a burn treatment center in Peru. Aniquem provides rehabilitation, teaches burn prevention, and overall fire safety to the community.

After visiting Aniquem and assessing their needs Hiten purchased two cabinets, gathered a team, and started planning. Under Hiten’s leadership, a few fellow Scouts and friends helped assemble shelves for each cabinet. Hilten and his team then filled the cabinet shelves with gently used electronics they donated for the children receiving treatment. They were able to tour the facility, learn about burn treatment and meet some of the patients.

Gabriel Sigrist one of Hitens volunteers shared “I came away with the sense that we did something worthwhile that helped other people and brought joy to the lives of the children at Aniquem. Overall, it was an amazing experience and Hiten did a great job directing the service project.”

Congratulations Hiten on completing your Eagle Scout Project and thank you for your service to the community!

 

 

 

Troop 652 at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church in McLean, added four Eagle Scouts to its roster.

Hans Ryerson, a new graduate of McLean High School. For his Eagle Scout project, Ryerson designed and led the construction of a 40-foot bridge spanning a creek at the Izaak Walton League Conservation Preserve in Poolesville, Md. He will attend Virginia Military Institute this fall.

Neal Brady, another new graduate of McLean High. His Eagle Scout project involved the design and construction of a gravel-lined path through the memorial garden at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, the host organization of Troop 652. In the fall, he will attend James Madison University.

Andrew Mock also graduated from McLean High School this month. For his Eagle Scout project, he organized a crew of volunteers to build picnic benches, which are placed near the football field and tennis courts at McLean High. He will attend Penn State.

Ian Massidda is a rising senior at McLean High School. For his Eagle Scout project, he organized a group of volunteers to clean the entrance and rebuild the sign at Claremont Immersion Elementary School in Arlington.

BSA Troop 5404 from the Dar al Noor Islamic Community Center in Prince William District, National Capital Area Council (NCAC) proudly welcomed five new Eagle Scouts at a recent Court of Honor on June 18, 2023.

Adam Amara started scouting in 2016 as a Scout Rank. His Eagle Scout service project was with Manassas Parks where he refurbished twelve fire baskets and also restored antique items in the Annaburg Manor. Adam is a 2022 graduate of Woodbridge Senior High School and attends George Mason University studying biology.

Ihsan Mahmood began his scouting journey with Pack 5404 as Tiger in 2012. His Eagle Scout service project was installing trail steps at the historic Liberia House Park. He led the work of over 20 volunteers to procure the materials and add the steps to the walking trail. Ihsan is a rising homeschooled high school senior and also concurrently completing a 6-year Islamic Studies (Alim) degree program.

Youssef Abdelrasoul started scouting as a Wolf with Pack 5404 in 2012. His Eagle Scout service project was at the Cannon Branch Fort, where he led a 2-day effort to restore and improve the walking trail with over 800 pounds of new gravel and applying a fresh coat of paint on the benches and trash receptacles. Youssef is a rising senior at Woodbridge Senior High School.

Yunis Kakar started scouting as a Bear with Pack 5404 in 2014. His Eagle Scout service project was at Leesylvania State Park, where he organized a team to design and build two garden beds to be used for local plants and hold educational workshops. Yunis is a 2023 graduate of South County High School and will be attending George Mason University studying cybersecurity in the fall.

Zuhayr Khan began his scouting journey in 2012 as a Wolf with Pack 5404. His Eagle Scout service project was to add 1.75 miles of exercise trails on the grounds of Osbourn Park High School (OPHS) for use by the school and the local community. Over a period of 8-months, he coordinated to plan, design, and install the trails with the help of sponsors, friends, adult leaders, and mentors. Zuhayr is a 2023 graduate of OPHS and will be attending the University of Virginia to study biochemistry in the fall.

The Court of Honor ceremony was held at the Prince William County Police Association Hall where the new Eagle Scouts were joined by their friends, family, and community guests to recognize their achievement and the many years of hard work, leadership, and service to earn their advancement which fewer than 7 out of every 100 Scouts achieve.

Each of these Eagle Scouts began with the newly formed Pack 5404 in 2012 or soon after. They formed a strong bond by completing Cub Scouts together and continued to deepen their friendship as they encouraged each other to advance through the Troop. Whether attending Troop meetings at the Dar al Noor Islamic Community Center or adventuring on camping and hiking trips, the Scouts supported each other and their fellow Troop members.

At the ceremony, Scoutmaster Malik Kakar reminded them that “the Scout Oath and Law will continue to guide you throughout your life…and always be prepared to do a good turn”. Their accomplishments highlight the transformative impact of the Scouting program and serve as an inspiration for youth to make a difference in their communities and beyond.

Troop 2970 from Goose Creek District NCAC, BSA welcomed six new Eagle Scouts: Kaiden Carey, Anthony Dimitriou, Jack Gallardo, Sahil Patel, Kato Watsen and Mason Wood in Court of Honor Ceremony held June 10, 2023.

This event was a momentous occasion as the troop, families and community recognized and honored the dedication, leadership, and service demonstrated by these six outstanding individuals in addition to celebrating the unique tight bond these young men had formed over the past decade with one another throughout the scouting program.

Each of these Eagle Scouts exemplifies the core values of Scouts BSA, displaying exceptional leadership skills, character development, and a commitment to community service. All six were involved in Cub Scouts prior to joining troop 2970 and they forged a deeper bond as they embarked on this journey together in Troop 2970, when they were placed in the same “new boy patrol”.

Throughout their journey they have stood side by side, supporting and encouraging one another. These Scouts navigated through a pandemic where they were forced to adapt to a world full of uncertainty. And yet, despite the adversity they faced in their pursuit of the Eagle. Their collaborative spirit, teamwork, and camaraderie helped to carry them through. Their accomplishments highlight the transformative impact of the Scouting program.

These young men’s projects directly impacted their local community by serving Boulder Crest, George C. Marshall’s Dodona Manor, Veterans Moving Forward, Mobile Hope, a local church, and a local High school; in addition to the 1000+ cumulative hours of service, they have been providing throughout their scouting journey. Their accomplishments reflect years of dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to making a positive impact on their communities. They also follow show a commitment to following the request written so long ago “Try to leave the world a little better than you found it” Baden-Powell. Their achievements serve as an inspiration for all young individuals striving to make a difference in their communities and beyond.

On the evening of 6 June 2023, Saint Timothy’s Catholic Church-sponsored Troop 7369 celebrated six Eagle Scouts’ journeys with an Eagle Court of Honor. Four of these fun-loving Scouts (Finn Geary, Liam Axelrod, Lucus Jadryev, and Rakendu Malladi) began their Scouting journey in 2011 as first graders in Greenbriar West Elementary School-sponsored Pack 1133. Ganesh Rayavarapu joined in third grade and Connor Kentfield joined in fourth grade. As Cubs, these Scouts enjoyed a full range of “go-see-its”, campouts, Scouting for Food events, Camp Snyder events, and Chantilly High School Homecoming Parades. They competed in Space and Pinewood Derbies, bake-offs, and Rain Gutter Regattas. Several attended Goshen Summer Camp and would tell you “Ross is Boss!” Den leader, Renee Geary, began with five first graders and the numbers rose steadily. By the time the Cubs were fifth graders, twenty-seven were registered. Her Cub may have recruited other fifth graders by informing them that in Scouting, they could set things on fire, use knives, and launch rockets. Luckily, the Cubmaster Mike Stone led the newest Scouts, leaving Renee with a regular roster of sixteen Cubs. At the Pack 1133 crossover event, eleven of the sixteen crossed over to Troop 7369. Later, three additional former Pack 1133 Cubs joined their friends in Troop 7369. Of the fourteen Pack 1133 Cubs, seven have gone on to earn the Eagle rank with Troop 7369.

As these Scouts took ownership of their Scouting journeys in Troop 7369, they continued their commitment to service, rank advancement, personal growth, leadership, and putting the OUTING in SCOUTING. More adventures at Camp Snyder, Camp Rodney, New York City, Assateague Island beach (twice), Westmoreland State Park, Antietam, and more, gave them opportunities to demonstrate skills
and leadership. Many of these Scouts hiked over 70 mile treks at Philmont High Adventure Camp. Finn Geary and Liam Axelrod liked Philmont so much, they trekked in 2019 and 2021!

When it was time to complete an Eagle Scout Project, each Scout’s project was unique.
Finn Geary led a project to build 50 desks for beneficiary She Believes in Me in Herndon for students to have desks in their homes to attend virtual school during the pandemic.
Connor Kentfield led a project to build and install little library boxes at a local playground and other locations of his Rotary beneficiary’s choice.
Ganesh Rayavarapu led a project to install concrete pavers for beneficiary SV Lotus Hindu Temple. Liam Axelrod led a project to paint murals he designed on two walls for beneficiary Greenbriar West Elementary School.
Rakendu Malladi led a project to build a shed to store emergency disaster supplies for the Fairfax branch of the Salvation Army.
Lucus Jadryev led a project to give back at his former elementary school, Greenbriar East Elementary School, where he led the building and installation of a bench around a tree and additional landscaping and flag pole area beautification.

In their Eagle speeches, each of these Scouts acknowledged the fun and challenges that led them to Eagle and their gratitude for having done it all together.