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 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.
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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] |
