Zachary Craig and Will Stambaugh earn Eagle Scout
Part 1:  Candidates challenged by peers

[September 01, 2017]  On Sunday afternoon, two Boy Scout members of Troop 1102 in Lincoln were recognized in a Court of Honor for having completed the work required to achieve Eagle Scout status.

Zachary Craig, son of Rusty and Jennifer Craig, and Will Stambaugh, son of Joe and Sarah Stambaugh, were presented to a large audience as candidates. Both young men had fulfilled the requirements. They were challenged by fellow scouts during the Court of Honor and proved they had met those requirements and fully understood the commitment that comes with the rank of Eagle.

To become an Eagle Scout is no easy task. As was voiced by emcee Jeff Hoinacki at the beginning of the ceremony, “Eagle Scout is not earned by the timid or the undedicated. Nor is it earned by the dispassionate. Eagle Scout is earned by only those who work hard, exhibit virtue, and have ignited the passion of the scouting spirit in their soul. For that reason, only four percent of the boys who join boy scouts will ever become Eagle. The few that do are seen as leaders among men.”

Participating in the program was former Scoutmaster Ray Papach. Papach took the stage, explaining that he was the leader for these two young men for a period of time before relocating to another community. He said it was an honor to be asked back for this momentous occasion.

Papach called for the candidates to be presented, “We come now to that part of our Court of Honor where we are to give recognition to the candidate for the rank of Eagle Scout.”

Eagle Scout Carter Robison escorted Craig to the stage and presented him to Papach. The same was done for Stambaugh with his escort being Eagle Taylor Robinson.

Papach then addressed the candidates, “Awarding the Eagle Badge of rank is an important and serious matter. It is the goal toward which these scouts have been working for several years. It is the culmination of effort by their parents and scout leaders. It is an occasion for pride and for joy, but it is also a time for serious contemplation.

“The Eagle Badge of rank is the highest and most coveted award in all of Scouting, and it is the last major step in the advancement program.

“I will read the pledge so that you will know that which you are about to promise, and then I will ask you to repeat it after me.”

The pledge was read and repeated by the two candidates, and then they faced the challenges of fellow scouts. In this part of the ceremony, a variety of scouts including Eagle Scouts and younger, lower rank scouts, stood and issued the challenges asking if the candidates understood the rank they were about to achieve. Had they done the work, and were they committed to the responsibility that comes with the rank?

Those participating in the challenges included Life Scout Elijah Burton, Tenderfoot Scout Jarrett Evers, Eagle Scout Garrett Schreiner, Eagles Blake Hermes, Carter McCraith, Taylor Hoinacki, Carter Robison; and Chairman of the Board of Review, Autum Robinson.

Garrett Schreiner offered the final challenge, “Have these Scouts nearing the end of the Eagle trail demonstrated their scouting spirit? Has their ability to live and act in accordance with the ideals of Scouting, as exemplified by the scout oath, law, motto and slogan been noted?”

Hermes, McCraith, Hoinacki, and Robison assisted by quoting the Scout Oath, the motto, and the slogan. Autum Robinson then said the Board of Review was satisfied that the candidates had met this requirement.

Papach asked Schreiner if he was satisfied with the decision of the board of review, and did he accept the candidates for rank of Eagle. Schreiner said that he did not. He went on to say that he believed the candidates needed to be informed and understand the responsibility that comes with the rank of Eagle. “I am still not satisfied. I believe that these candidates should understand that the Eagle Rank is a big responsibility. As well as an honor, and I respectfully ask that these candidates be informed of the responsibilities of an Eagle Scout before continuing further.”

Papach agreed and called on the Eagle Scouts to come to the stage to explain these responsibilities to the two candidates.

Blake Hermes: “The first responsibility of an Eagle Scout is to live with honor. To an Eagle Scout, honor is the foundation of all character. He knows that “A Scout is trustworthy” it is the very first point of the Scout Law for a good reason. Living honorably reflects credit on his home, his church, his troop, and his community. May the white of your Eagle Badge always remind you to live with honor.”

Carter McCraith: “The second responsibility of an Eagle Scout is loyalty, for without loyalty, character lacks direction. An Eagle is loyal to his ideals. May the blue of your Eagle Badge always inspire your loyalty.”

Taylor Hoinacki: “The third responsibility of an Eagle Scout is to be courageous. Courage gives character force and strength. Trusting in God, and with faith in his fellowman the Eagle faces each day unafraid, and seeks his share of the world’s work. May the red of your Eagle badge remind you always of courage.”

Carter Robison: “The final responsibility of an Eagle Scout is service. The Eagle Scout extends a helping hand to those who still work along the Scouting trail, just as others helped him in his climb to the Eagle. The performance of the daily ‘good turn’ takes on a new meaning when he enters a more adult life of service to others. The EAGLE stands as protector of the weak and helpless. He aids and comforts the unfortunate and oppressed. He upholds the rights of others while defending his own. He well knows and always will be prepared to put forth his best.”

Garrett Schreiner: Mr. Papach, if these candidates are willing and eager to accept the mantle of responsibility, as well as the honor of the badge, then I will be satisfied and request that you proceed to administer the Eagle pledge.

Craig and Stambaugh were asked if they were prepared to take on these responsibilities and both said they were. Papach then led the two in the Scout Oath.

Ed Robison, the current leader of the troop 1102 was called forward to lead the two in the Eagle Oath.

“Eagle candidate, Zachary Craig and Will Stambaugh, I charge you to enter the Eagle Scout brotherhood, holding the ideals of honor and service. By the repetition of the Eagle Scout promise, you will become an Eagle Scout. When you pledge yourself on your sacred honor, you will be sealing your loyalty to the code of the Eagle Scout with the words that closed the Declaration of Independence.

“Will all Eagle Scouts here today please stand and renew your Eagle Scout promise as Zachary and Will join our brotherhood.

“I reaffirm my allegiance to the three promises of the Scout Oath.

“I thoughtfully recognize and take upon myself the obligations and responsibilities of the rank of Eagle Scout.

“On my honor, I will do my best to make my training an example. My rank and influence count strongly for better Scouting and for better citizenship, in my unit, in my community, and in my contacts with other people. To this I pledge my sacred honor.”

With the oath administered, the official pinning began, first with Zachary Craig, followed by Will Stambaugh.

After the Scout Oath was recited on Sunday afternoon, the two newly sworn Eagles were presented with their Eagle pins beginning first with Zachary Craig and followed by Will Stambaugh.

[Nila Smith]