Adult volunteers received awards.


WATCH: Eagle Scout Recognition Dinner

Eagle Scout Recognition Dinner

inline tease photo
Video

Eagle Scouts from the Whispering Pines District were honored during an April 2, 2017 Recognition Dinner.

Whispering Pines District recognizes ...

By William K. Alcorn

alcorn@vindy.com

BOARDMAN

Boy Scouts took center stage Sunday when the Whispering Pines District of the Great Trail Council of Boy Scouts of America’s 30-member Class of 2016 Eagle Scouts were recognized.

“For the rest of your lives, people are going to look at you and say, ‘Oh, that’s what Eagle Scouts are like,’” said Kurt Hilderbrand, chairman of the awards banquet, who urged the 2016 Eagle Scouts to “set a good example.”

During his invocation, Bob Granchie, district chaplain, said Scouting “is woven into the fabric of our lives.”

That is what happened to the adults who were recognized for their service to Scouting and their communities.

For instance, Michael Kupec of Youngstown was presented the William T. Hornaday Badge, given to those who have made significant contributions to conservation, by John Brkic, senior district executive.

Kupec, who grew up in the Mill Creek MetroParks area in Youngstown, started a trash cleanup project in the park that over the years has involved hundreds of Scouts not only picking up trash but learning the value of public service.

“I’m honored,” he said. His wife, Laura, and son, Doug of Avon, were on hand to witness Kupec’s presentation.

The Award of Merit, the highest award bestowed by the Whispering Pines District, was presented by Bill Moss, district training chairman, to Steph Kelly of Canfield, affiliated with Cub Scout Pack 115 and Boy Scout Troop 115; and Marion Sweely of Austintown, who is involved with Cub Scout Pack 184.

The Award of Merit is a council-level award presented by the district to volunteers who have rendered services to the district, council and community.

Kelly has served as a Cub Scout den leader, a committee member and committee chairman for Cub Scout Pack 115. She also is involved with Troop 115 where her husband, Pat, is the Scoutmaster, and their son, Pat, is a Star Scout. The Kellys’ daughter is a Girl Scout.

Sweely, with two sons who are Eagle Scouts, has been involved with Scouting since 2002 in many Cub Scout leadership roles and now with Pack 184 with her grandson.

She has served on the district committee as chairman for the popcorn-sale project and is chairperson of Friends of Scouting.

Kelly said she is “honored and a little bit speechless to be among a group of people whom I respect. I do this for all our boys,” said Kelly, whose father and grandfather also were in Scouting.

“I remember lessons learned from my grandfather and father on how to be a better person and citizen and the importance of putting others above myself,” she said.

Other Whispering Pines awards included: Scouting Family of the Year, the Hockensmith family of Poland; Scoutmaster of the Year, Eric Grabman of Troop 46; and Cubmaster of the Year, Patrick Kelly, Pack 25.

The Whispering Pines District serves families in Mahoning County and Hubbard.

By using this site, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of use.

» Accept
» Learn More