43
Event honors Eagle Scouts
BOARDMAN — It was a time for Eagles.
Boy Scouts of America’s highest ranking members, Eagle Scouts, were front and center at the fourth annual Celebration of Scouting breakfast.
Also, the Golden Eagle Award was presented to Clarence R. Smith Jr., for his contributions to scouting and the community. The Golden Eagle is an honor given by BSA’s Whispering Pines District, which represents Mahoning County and Hubbard City, and is part of the Greater Western Reserve Council.
“We’re so lucky to have the Boy Scouts available to young people. When you know someone cares, it strengthens your life,” said Smith, who is not an Eagle, but was a member of Scout Troop 46 at Boardman United Methodist Church.
Smith, retired from Compco Industries but still chairman of the board of Compco’s parent company, S.P. Corp., has spent a lifetime in scouting. He is a trustee for the BSA’s Mahoning Valley Council and Camp Stambaugh.
He is a member of the boards of directors of Home Savings and Loan Co. and the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport Port Authority. He also is chairman of the Mahoning County Republican Party, a member of the county Board of Elections and a Mason.
Smith, who went to work at the age of 12 and said his father, at the age of 9, was an orphan on the streets of Youngstown, gave a pep talk about the U.S. economy during Tuesday’s event.
He said every moment given to him came from God, and he is blessed in his work and with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Rosemarie, have three children, six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
“I’ve been through several of these economic downturns, and we have some much going for us; so many opportunities. Times will be good, I promise you, if we stay together and work together,” he said.
Two Eagles were also featured speakers.
Greg DiRienzo, a senior at Cardinal Mooney High School, said the Eagle rank is revered because it stands for strength of character and an understanding of community and country.
When a young man earns the Eagle it sets a benchmark for the rest of his life, said DiRienzo, a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Club and Enviro-Thon as his school. He also is a four-year varsity letter winner on Mooney’s tennis, golf and speech teams and plans to major in architecture at college.
Among the numerous Eagle scouts produced by Troop 46 are Joe Maruskin, owner of Valley Landscaping, and his son, Adam of Nashville, Tenn.
“I remember scouting as a great experience. I learned a lot about teamwork that stayed with me throughout my life and career,” said Maruskin, who became an Eagle in 1973. He said he is “very proud” of Adam, who became an Eagle in 1999. Maruskin and his wife, Debbie, of Boardman, also have an adult daughter, Katie.
Tuesday’s breakfast also was the kick-off of the Whispering Pines District and Greater Western Reserve Council financial campaigns. The goals are $53,000 and $337,000, respectively, said Gary Erlinger, council executive.
In his “state of scouting” report, Erlinger said that scouting is growing in Mahoning County, and that the proceeds of the financial campaign are used to provide programs and facilities.
“I say with great pride that the Boy Scouts of America is committed to giving young people the tools and experiences, and the knowledge and faith, to make the world a better place,” Erlinger said.
alcorn@vindy.com