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19 Eagle Scouts in the Class of 2011 recognized
BOARDMAN
Long-time scouters Brian Hetzel of Boardman and Richard Cook Jr. of Hubbard received the Whispering Pines District’s Award of Merit, the highest award an adult district Boy Scout volunteer can receive for outstanding service at the district level.
The awards were presented at the Whispering Pines District, Greater Western Reserve Council, Boy Scouts of America’s awards dinner Sunday at St. James Episcopal Church.
Hetzel and Cook have been Boy Scout volunteers for many years.
Cook has been involved in scouting since he was a youth, when he earned the Scouter’s Religious Award, was elected to the Order of the Arrow, and became an Eagle Scout.
He has been Pack 100 Tiger Cub leader, assistant den leader and assistant Webelos leader, and recently became Scoutmaster of Troop 55.
Hetzel also has been a Cub Scout leader and has seven of his eight children in Scouting: his daughter, Alannah, a member of American Heritage Girls, formed in partnership with Boy Scouts of America; and sons Connor, 21, and Matthew, 19, both Eagle Scouts; Luke, 15; Shane, 11, Liam, 9, and Kellan, 6.
Little Finnian, 4, is champing at the bit to become a Cub Scout when he gets old enough, said his mother, Kris.
With a large family, it is difficult to find something that involves the whole family like Boy Scouting does, she said.
The Scouting program promotes good citizenship and provides leadership for youths with all kinds of interests, Brian said.
When asked how they find time to be so heavily involved in scouting with their children, Brian said, “We make it a priority. You get to see your own kids and other kids progress from Tiger to Eagle Scout. It’s amazing the type of leaders they become.
“One of the pleasures is seeing the changes. It’s a fantastic feeling,” he said.
Brian was his son Luke’s den leader, and now Luke and two other boys from the den are going for their Eagle designation.
“Scouting is a fantastic program to get boys out of the house and into the outdoors; and American Heritage Girls is Christ-focused and character-focused,” said Kris.
John Russell, Whispering Pines District chairman, said 2015 was a great year for the district, which saw an increase in the number of trained volunteer leaders.
However, Russell said: “We need new faces – new blood.”
The Whispering Pines District serves families in Mahoning County and Hubbard with 1,100 youths involved in 42 units supported by 150 adult volunteers.