Eagle Scout

Matthew Aaron Thomas, son of David Thomas and Janet Viol-Thomas, of Abingdon, earned the rank of Eagle Scout Oct. 26. His Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project at William S. James Elementary School was completed in May. His project consisted of making significant improvements to the two gardens along the front walkway and a side wall garden area at the school. A total of 235 feet of stained, double-stacked landscaping timbers and 180 feet of landscaping edging were installed along with four new azalea bushes.

Boy Scout Troop 328 of Timonium United Methodist Church has been buzzing with activity the last few months. For starters, it celebrated an Eagle Court of Honor for three of its Scouts on April 20. David Harper, Matt Rafferty and J.P. Schmelz were recognized for attaining the rank of Eagle, the highest award in Scouting. For their Eagle service projects, David reconstructed a trail at the Woodbourne Center in Baltimore City; Matt collected more than 200 musical instruments and related items in support of Baltimore City Public Schools; and J.P. constructed a judges' reviewing stand for the new Baltimore County Agricultural Center on Shawan Road.

Ryan Gartland, a freshman at Harker Heights High School in Texas and the grandson of Gary and Alice Boettcher of Churchville, has achieved Scouting's highest rank. He completed his final rank requirement by passing an Eagle Board of Review on Dec. 14, 2012, and achieved his goal of becoming an Eagle Scout during the 100th anniversary year of Eagle Scouts. Ryan started his Scouting adventure in 2004 with Pack 255 in Harker Heights. He continued with the pack and earned his Arrow of Light prior to crossing over to Troop 255, in Harker Heights in 2009.

Forest Hill resident Thomas Franklin Keller earned the rank of Eagle Scout on Nov. 6, 2012. A ceremony was held on May 4 in recognition of his accomplishment. "I'm honored to be an Eagle Scout," said Keller, who spent 201 hours collecting more than 2,000 food items that were donated to Centre United Methodist Church in Forest Hill. "It felt good giving back to the community that's helped me," said Keller, a member of Troop 809 out of Jarrettsville. Keller has received numerous certifications, including a letter from former President Bill Clinton, a Harford County proclamation and Maryland flag, a Maryland Senate Resolution and a Maryland General Assembly official citation.

On Feb. 25, 17-year-old Nathaniel Joseph Paradis earned the highest rank to be attained in the Boy Scouts of America. He became the 29th Eagle Scout of Boy Scout Troop 899 in Fallston. Nathaniel's Eagle Scout service project entailed leading interview teams that conducted video recorded interviews of 14 different American war-time veterans and or U.S. citizen civilian workers. The recorded interviews were then collected, edited and submitted to the U.S. Library of Congress' Veteran History Project.

Nick Conroy, an Eagle Scout candidate from Troop 109, is constructing a prayer garden at the Solid Rock Baptist Church on Hammonds Ferry Road as his Eagle project. The garden will be open to the public. The sophomore at Lansdowne High School started his project at age 14 after seeing other Scouts in his troop scramble to get their projects done before the deadline of their 18th birthday. He said he could have started his Eagle project sooner, but he postponed it to help older Scouts finish their projects before the deadline.

On April 7, a Court of Honor was held to celebrate Nathan Cook achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Nathan has been a member of scouting since first grade when he joined St. Mary's Pack 937. He bridged to Boy Scout Troop 965, Havre de Grace, in 2006. Since that time he has earned numerous merit badges, held many leadership positions and attended both Philmont and Northern Tier high adventure camps. He is a member of the Order of the Arrow, Boy Scouts Honor Society. Nathan's Eagle project consisted of building and installing three benches at the Harford Family House in Aberdeen.

Garrett Michael Anthony, son of Hayden and Linda Anthony, of Bel Air, was formally awarded his Eagle Scout rank and medal in an Eagle Scout Court of Honor on Jan. 8 at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Abingdon. Garrett, a member of Troop 313 in Bel Air and a senior at C. Milton Wright High School, became an official Eagle Scout on June 2, 2011, and continues to be active in scouting, most recently earning the Bronze Eagle Palm. Garrett earned Cub Scouting's highest award, the Arrow of Light, as a fifth grader in 2005 and crossed over to Boy Scout Troop 313 that same year.

Boy Scout Troop 328 of Timonium United Methodist Church has been buzzing with activity the last few months. For starters, it celebrated an Eagle Court of Honor for three of its Scouts on April 20. David Harper, Matt Rafferty and J.P. Schmelz were recognized for attaining the rank of Eagle, the highest award in Scouting. For their Eagle service projects, David reconstructed a trail at the Woodbourne Center in Baltimore City; Matt collected more than 200 musical instruments and related items in support of Baltimore City Public Schools; and J.P. constructed a judges' reviewing stand for the new Baltimore County Agricultural Center on Shawan Road.

James Heuser's Eagle Scout project took him a fair distance from his home base of Lutherville, but on the journey he gained a respect and insight to the legacy of veterans and, in turn, embraced a project designed to help provide them a place of relaxation and reflection. Heuser, 16, a Boy Scout with Troop 828 in Lutherville, took on the project of building a large gazebo on the grounds of the Perry Point Veterans Affairs Medical Center, in Harford County. "I knew I wanted to do something special to show veterans how much I appreciate all they have done to protect our country," said Heuser, the son of Dr. Mark and Leslie Heuser, "and I thought the gazebo would provide them with a place to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

On April 7, a Court of Honor was held to celebrate Nathan Cook achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Nathan has been a member of scouting since first grade when he joined St. Mary's Pack 937. He bridged to Boy Scout Troop 965, Havre de Grace, in 2006. Since that time he has earned numerous merit badges, held many leadership positions and attended both Philmont and Northern Tier high adventure camps. He is a member of the Order of the Arrow, Boy Scouts Honor Society. Nathan's Eagle project consisted of building and installing three benches at the Harford Family House in Aberdeen.

On Feb. 25, 17-year-old Nathaniel Joseph Paradis earned the highest rank to be attained in the Boy Scouts of America. He became the 29th Eagle Scout of Boy Scout Troop 899 in Fallston. Nathaniel's Eagle Scout service project entailed leading interview teams that conducted video recorded interviews of 14 different American war-time veterans and or U.S. citizen civilian workers. The recorded interviews were then collected, edited and submitted to the U.S. Library of Congress' Veteran History Project.

Sean Paulsen, son of Ed and Theresa Paulsen, formally received his Eagle Scout rank and medal April 7 in an Eagle Scout Court of Honor held at Bel Air United Methodist Church. Sean has been a member of Troop 777 since 2008 and completed the requirements for rank of Eagle Scout on Dec. 17. Sean's Eagle Project benefited Anna's House, a non-profit organization that offers temporary and permanent housing to homeless women and their children. His project involved making improvements to the playground area and storage shed.

Harford County Executive David R. Craig recently recognized Scouts and Scout leaders from the Boy Scouts of America, Baltimore Area Council, for the upcoming 2013 "Scouting for Food" campaign. Several Scouts and Scout leaders were greeted by Craig at his office and presented with a donation of two bags of food. "Scouting for Food" is a food collection effort carried out by the Boy Scouts, Venture Scouts, Cub Scouts and adult volunteers from scouting organizations and local communities.

Brady Daniels Kautsch, 17 of Bel Air, earned the highest advancement award the Boy Scouts of America offers to Scouts, the Eagle Scout Award, on Dec. 13, 2012 and was formally recognized in a ceremonial Court of Honor on March 17, at the Church of St. Mark - Monsignor McCall Center in Fallston. A member of Troop 801, Kautsch is one of approximately 4 percent of all Boy Scouts who attain the Eagle rank, according to Scoutmaster Steve Martinek. To earn scouting's highest award, each candidate must earn 21 merit badges -- some required, some elective -- and successfully coordinate and complete a community-related service project.

Kudos to Loch Raven resident Dick Shine who was awarded the Silver Beaver award at a Boy Scouts of America banquet at Martin's West last week. Of all the possible adult volunteers in the Dulaney district, Shine was selected as the recipient of this award for 30 years of volunteer service to Boy Scouts of America. The Silver Beaver award is a council level service award "given to those who implement the Scouting program and perform community service through hard work, sel- sacrifice, dedication, and many years of service".