Zachary Craig and Will Stambaugh earn Eagle Scout
Part 03:  Guest speakers include Seth Goodman and David Welch
Eagles deliver thank you speeches


Send a link to a friend  Share

[September 06, 2017]  The last segment of the Eagle Court of Honor included addresses to the Eagles and audience from Lincoln Mayor Seth Goodman, and Carroll Catholic School Principal David Welch.

Mayor Goodman was introduced by Jeff Hoinacki and came to the stage to address the audience. He noted at the opening of his speech that he was “embarrassed to say” he was not familiar with the Eagle Scout achievement. He noted that in preparation for his speech, he had researched the rank of Eagle and had been very impressed with the qualities possessed by an Eagle. “I was blown away by what this truly stands for.”



Goodman went on to say, “I am honored to be in the presence of you two men who exemplify strong, successful traits and a desire to live a life of meaning.”

Goodman went on to say that like these young men, he had a desire to do something meaningful in his life to serve his community and be a source of pride for his parents and family.

“It is quite apparent that the requirements (of Eagle Scout) take several years to fulfill, thus requiring dedication, hard work, and a strong sense of drive; all characteristics many of our youth today do not tend to possess. These very men are the ones expected to set the example for other scouts and become leaders in life,” Goodman said

He went on to note that many of those who achieve Eagle become great leaders in military, academia, clergy, business, politics, and more. He said, “All I can say now is go get 'em! The world is big, and you two are clearly already on your way.”

Goodman noted that these same successful men are also the ones who volunteer in their community, support worthy causes, have civic involvement, and in general strive to make life better for those around them. “All these represent things that the community and the world around us, long for more of; what we need to become not only a better city, but a better nation, and world. By setting such a strong example, you not only make your family and friends proud, but myself, as well as others throughout your local community. Your hard work and dedication definitely do not go unnoticed.”

Goodman challenged Craig and Stambaugh to continue to push forward. “Throughout life continue this mentality and mindset that you can indeed change the world, and can in fact do great things that you only imagined in your dreams.”

When Goodman finished, Hoinacki introduced Principal Welch.



Welch addressed the Eagle projects completed by both young men. As an Eagle candidate, each one had to completed a project that would serve to improve their community. Inside the project, the Eagle candidate works as the organizer and supervisor of the project.

That role includes deciding on a project, creating a blueprint of the work to be done, having a budget for the plan and raising funds or soliciting donations of materials for the project, putting together a team to help implement the plan, and working with the team to complete the plan.

Zachary Craig’s project had been to add landscaping and a walkway to the cross that stands in the lawn at Carroll Catholic School.

Will Stambaugh organized a team to build and place bird houses at the Beason Park to promote and protect bird habitation.

Welch opened saying, “I’d like to take a few minutes to thank them both for the projects they did in earning the Eagle Scout rank.”

Welch said it is always easy to plan a project and propose a project, but it is a little more difficult to see it through. He said that when Craig came to him to propose his project, Welch had great confidence, knowing Zac, that the project would be completed and that it would be very well done.

Welch explained the scope of the project, saying that the cross is a very popular location for school children. It is commonplace for parents to arrive with kids on the first day of school, and the first thing they want is a picture of their kids at the cross. The cross also becomes a very special place for graduates as they prepare to leave the school

He said the walkway and landscaping made the cross not only more attractive but also more accessible. Welch went on to say he had watched the progress, that he’d seen the planning, organization and leadership.

[to top of second column]

He said parents and children had noticed immediately that there had been changes at the cross, and he had heard many good comments.

Moving on, he said while he had no involvement with Will‘s project, he was delighted to hear that Will had shown an interest in providing improvements to the Beason Park, and also that it involved birds, which are a big secondary interest for Welch. “I was glad to hear that Will was doing something that would improve our little spot in the world, so thank you for doing that.”

After the guest speakers the two new Eagles came forward to express their ‘thank you’s,’ beginning with Zachary.



Craig began by thanking all the guests. He then told a fun story of two scouts, brothers, who did not have a good understanding of the scouting lifestyle. They were impish, and had a reputation for stealing. Their worried mother went to the scout leader and asked him to try and help the boys change their ways. The scout leader called the boys to him, one at a time. When the first boy arrived, the leader, a large man with a booming voice, sat him down and in a grave voice asked the boy, “Where is God?” The leader wanted the boy to recognize that God is everywhere. Dumbfounded the boy said nothing. The scout leader repeated more strongly, “Where is God?” Again, the boy was mute. A third time, louder and more insistent yet, the leader asked, “Where is God?” The young scout ran from the room, all the way home, where he went to his room and hid in his closet. His brother found him there, and asked immediately, “What happened?” The first boy replied, “We’re in big trouble. God is missing, and they think we took him!”

Craig said that everyone needs to remember that nothing is possible without God. He then went through his list of thank you's, naming his parents first for their dedication and sacrifice for his success as a scout and an Eagle. He thanked his Eagle project team, and encouraged them to all continue the scouting dream.

He concluded, “Being an Eagle Scout is not just a title, it is a way of life.”



Will Stambaugh came forward to address the group. He said he wasn’t keen on public speaking, so his address would be short. He went on to say, “Scouting has taught me three main virtues - courage, loyalty and cheerfulness.” He went on to define how he had experienced these three virtues in his career.

He went into his thank you list that included his parents, his leaders, and the many, many adults who work with the scouts on a regular basis, from offering transportation, chaperoning campouts, to doing the hours of paperwork and bookkeeping to keep the troop going in the right direction and financially sound.

He thanked the members of the scout troop, the team who helped with his project, and the eagles who served as inspiration to him.

He concluded, “You have all helped me to become the Eagle Scout I am today.”

The day ended with the benediction delivered by Malcom Head.



“O Lord, may we not forget that the true work of scouting begins as we leave this place: to instill trust and be loyal; to help all persons and be friendly in our encounters; may we show courtesy in our kindness, obedience to requests, and be cheerful in our duty. May thrift-fullness be our path, brave be our character, clean be our mind and body. Above all, dear Lord, make us reverent in all things, remembering that in you only do we perform well the calling of scouting. Amen.”

Congratulations to Zac and Will.

It should be noted that while only four percent of all scouts nationally become eagles, Logan County has a very high percentage of young men who have achieved this rank. In the Lincoln Troop 1102 alone, Zac and Will mark eight eagle ranks earned this year alone, with one more to come later this year.

[Nila Smith]

 

Back to top