Scouting news

Treats for Troops, a cookie booth sponsored by Girl Scout Troop 745, is scheduled for today at Hy-Vee, 4000 W. Sixth St. Cookies purchased for the project will be sent to soldiers at Camp Ramadi, Iraq. The booth will be set up from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The troop also will have a banner to sign that will be sent with the cookies.

¢The Pelathe District of the Boy Scouts of America announces its 20th annual Scouting for Food drive. During the next two weeks, fliers will be distributed in areas covered by Scouts. Residents are asked to place nonperishable food items in a bag or box on their front porch by 9 a.m. March 31. They will be picked up by Scouting volunteers, taken to The Salvation Army and distributed among local food pantries.

Units participating include Cub Scout Packs 3013, 3052, 3055, 3057, 3059, 3071, 3072, 3077, 3370 and 3462. They will be joined by Boy Scouts from Troops 52, 55, 60 and 61 and Venture Scouts from Crew 2052.

¢The Pelathe District of the Boy Scouts of America held its 21st annual Eagle Scout recognition ceremony on March 8 at the Lawrence Country Club. Keith Wood was the master of ceremonies. The dinner started with a flag ceremony and the Pledge of Allegiance, both led by Will Armstrong, an Eagle Scout. David Berkowitz gave the invocation. After dinner, Richard Bailey gave the Eagle Scouts information about the National Eagle Scout Association; John Sayler talked about the Sons of the American Revolution Scholarship; and Maj. Dave Youngdoff, of the Kansas National Guard, gave a presentation.

Judge Stephen Hill, of the Kansas Court of Appeals, was the featured speaker. He talked about leadership and the Lewis and Clark expedition. Keith Wood introduced boys who had received their Eagle Scout award from Oct. 1, 2005, through Jan. 7, 2007: Jed Young, Alex Webster, Henry Reiske, Joel Morrison, Aaron Ideus, Tyler Thomas, Nathan Desetti, Scott Schreders, Kirsten Shuck, Christopher Berger, Andrew Clancy, Joe Kelly, Timothy Muetz, Evan Cloar, Christopher Neal, William Armstrong, Cameron Hershiser, Cyril Cook, Grady Walker, Nolan Kappelman, James Kelley, Todd Roberts, Michael Whitten, Austin Winn and John (Jack) Berkowitz. The Pelathe District continues to develop twice the percentage of Eagle Scouts compared with the national average.

¢Cub Scout Pack 3072, chartered to Quail Run PTA, conducted its annual Blue and Gold Banquet on Feb. 11 at Free State High School.

This year’s theme was Aloha Scouts.

The Arrow of Light Award, which is the highest achievement in Cub Scouting, was awarded to Gage Buffington, Cory Church, Sam Dowel, T.J. Everet, Briggs Fish, Aaron Gehrke, Josh Hodge, Jacob Hood, Bryce Lignell, Anish Patel, Jake Rogers, Levi Sedlock, Matthew Thompson and Brandon Wingert. These boys plan to join Boy Scout Troops 52, 55 and 59. The group recognized Melinda Fish for her work and dedication to this group. She had been their den leader since many of the boys were Tiger Cubs. Other outstanding den leaders who were recognized include Elenor Buffington, Rayanne Dowell, Tracy Hood, Colleen Lignel and Debbie Rogers.

Scouts earning their Webelos badge were Zach Alexander, Adam Auer, Tom Brooks, Scott Cromer, Ryan DeLaTorre, Bob Eisele, Wynn Feddema, Connor Harman, Ty Hartman, Casey Hearnen, Erik Howland, Jake Landgrebe, Zach McAlister, Joe Miller, Matt Mitchell, Robert Newman, Sam Oliver, Geoff Peard, Brogan Ryan, Christopher Smith, Nick TenPas, Taylor Tomaszewski and Evan Williams. Den leaders are Lynn Alexander, Pat DeLaTorre, Johnan Feddema, Debbie and John Harmon, and Anna and Ken Oliver.

Scouts receiving their Bear badge were Spencer Conard, Matthew Eagle, Andrew Ferguson, Michael Gates, Eliot Jess, Ethan Kallenberger, Christian Lyche, Thor Lyche, Drew Markley, Sid Miller, Cole Reams and William Richardson. Den leaders are Jan Conard and Susan Eagle.

Wolf badge recipients were Seth Anderson, Will Benkelman, Spencer Bowman, Daniel Bryant, Baheej Chahine, Alexander Craig, Finn Dobbs, Dylan Edwinson, Jackson Flynn, LB Hooper, Nicholas LaRue, Jonathan Lesslie, Corey Mann, Seamus Ryan, Chas Sedlock, Andrew Vereen, Keegan West and Ben Wilson. Den leaders are Barry Benkelman, Andy Craig, Julie Lesslie, Brandon Mann, Leda Sedlock and Craig West.

Tiger badge recipients were Cole Baker, Alex Cohen, Evan Cornell, David Gates, Parker Gay, Matthew Howard, Nicholas Howard, Caleb Mercer, Conner Phillips, Monty Seastrom and Alex Tomaszewski. Den leaders are Kathy Gates, Anna Mercer and Michele Seastrom.

The banquet coordinator was Rayanne Dowell.

¢Boy Scout Troop 59, chartered to First Presbyterian Church, conducted its Spring Court of Honor in the church’s Fellowship Hall. First Class Scout Frank Depenbusch served as master of ceremonies. Audrey Taylor and Scoutmaster Mark Stogsdill opened the ceremonies by welcoming 17 new Scouts and their parents to the troop. The new Scouts are Ryan Bellinger, Brandon Botkin, Sam Evans, Nathan Kappelman, Luke Oberreider, Corbin Robinson, Kiefer Stellwagon, Jacob Walter, Kyle Wittman, Sam Dowell, T.J. Everett, Briggs Fish, Josh Hodge, Anish Patel, Jake Rogers, Levi Sedlock and Daniel Wrigley.

Scouts earning a rank advancement include Tristan Alfie, Kyle Carpenter, Frank Depenbusch, Kane Eggers, James Fredrickson and Luke Peirce, Second Class; Matthew Day, Frank Depenbusch, Philip Gabler, Liam Inbody, Luke Peirce and Reid Williams, First Class. Chase Low attained Star, and Trevor Leslie received Life. Nolan Kappelman was recognized for attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. Scouts earning one or more merit badges include Billy Barnes, Sam Corkins, Brendan Desetti, Keil Eggers, Patrick Fay, John Fredrickson, Harrison Helmick, Trevor Leslie, Chase Low, Luke Peirce, Joe Stogsdill, Michael Tamerius, Adam Wangler and James Windholz.

Stogsdill recognized outgoing Senior Patrol Leader James Windholz and inducted incoming Senior Patrol Leader Henry Chapman. Stogsdill also recognized troop guides Connor Caldwell, Henry Chapman, Keil Eggers, Harrison Helmick, Trevor Leslie and Josh Ostermann. Incoming troop guides are John Fredrickson, Jonathan Gabler, Ryan Marienau and Derrick Weishaar.

Troop Committee Chair Audrey Taylor was recognized for completing her two-year Wood Badge leadership training. Assistant District Commissioner Rod Zinn gave a talk about the district’s Friends of Scouting campaign.