Local Teens Earn Highest Boy Scouts of America Award

(Sarasota – July 27, 2020) – Scouts BSA Troop 895 honored seven young men as Eagle Scouts, Boy Scouts of America’s highest award, at a ceremony held at Church of the Palms on July 27, 2020. The Eagle scouts are SMA graduate Dante Aletto, Pineview graduates John Paul Fletcher and Will Getzen, Sarasota High graduates Christian Knuth and Ben Quale, Polytech High School graduate Aidan Sepanski and Polytech High School senior Dylan Stone.

To earn Eagle, each Scout completed a minimum of 21 merit badges, held a variety of leadership roles including Senior Patrol Leader, passed seven Boards of Review, demonstrated Scout Spirit, and led an extensive community service project. Some of their Eagle projects included building whelping boxes for puppies at an animal shelter, facility improvements to Crowley Museum and Nature Center, and an outdoor game area at Church of the Palms. Nationally, only 4% percent of eligible Scouts have achieved this award.

During the ceremony, following appropriate safety protocols, the boys reflected fondly on their fun times together and also on the challenges they experienced on scouting adventures such as an 80-mile hike in New Mexico, canoeing through the Northern Tier wilderness, and viewing the stars from a sailing ship while serving overnight anchor duty. They thanked their parents and scout mentors for their support and encouraged rising scouts to persevere to reach the Eagle rank and the sense of accomplishment that it brings. 

The Eagle process is designed to help young men build character and instill values for a lifetime through adventure, leadership development, citizenship, service and personal growth based on the 12 points of the Scout Law: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. 

Eagle Scout, Will Getzen, remarked, “Looking back, I realize Scouting taught me essential skills, such as bearing the responsibility of making tough decisions, directing others, and putting fun aside at times to ensure the safety of the group. Being an effective leader is a very hard job, but I am grateful that scouting was able to provide me with a solid foundation.”

Scoutmaster Bobby Fletcher, an Eagle Scout himself, remarked, “It’s been an honor to have seen these young men through Scouting since the second grade; their loyalty and steadiness are a pleasure to see.”

Scouts BSA Troop 895 was founded in 1997, and since then 59 young men have achieved Eagle Scout. The troop takes part in many outdoor activities each year where boys make lasting friendships, build character and leadership skills, experience a wide range of challenging outdoor adventures, and develop into productive and responsible citizens. Boys are eligible to join if they have completed fifth grade, are at least 10 years old, or have earned the Arrow of Light. The troop meets regularly at Church of the Palms. Visit 895troop.com for more information.